Tips for Transcribing Interviews

A good interview begets a good article only if you accurately obtain and record the information. But writing down everything being said in an interview can be like walking and chewing gum for many people. This said, the art of transcribing interviews has a few basic tenets:

1. Use a notepad or laptop.

If you type faster than you can write, use your laptop, and the same goes for the other way around. Whichever method you use when transcribing interviews, be sure that your interviewee can see your face.

2. Don't rely on a tape recorder.

Tape recorders can make people feel awkward, may malfunction, and can take hours to listen to again. If you record an interview, be sure to still write down the highlights.

3. Read background material before the interview.

If you have a working knowledge about your subject before you start the interview, you won't necessarily have to write down everything he or she says about the topic and can stick to the quotes. Print out material that you can refer back to and ask your interviewee to clarify areas about which you are unsure.

4. Prepare questions in advance.

A general outline of questions to ask will help guide the interview to ensure you get all of the information you need.

5. Leave plenty of white space.

Having a written sheet with questions and gaps of space for responses is an effective method for transcribing interviews. Be sure to have extra room for when the interviewee says something you hadn't thought about.

6. Use the Five "Ws" as follow up questions.

Who. What. When. Where. Why. (And sometimes, How.) This ensures you get all of the information you need and allows you to pay attention during the interview, but lets your subject - who is the expert on the topic - guide the interview.

7. Underline key phrases in your notes during the interview.

You don't want to write down everything being said. Instead record the highlights and note the important phrases as you go.

8. Ask your source to repeat something.

When someone says a quote you know is perfect, or that you don't understand, ask him or her to repeat it. Alternately, you can read back what he or she said. This ensures accuracy and buys you time to finish writing.

9. Use abbreviations.

You don't have to write everything out. Use initials, shorten words, anything that makes sense to you: ppl = people, AC = Associated Content, etc.

10. Look up!

An interview is a conversation. If your face is buried in your lap watching what your write, then your interviewee is likely to stop talking for periods of time. Be sure to look up from your notes on a regular basis.

Transcribing interviews is a skill that can be mastered with a little preparation.

Sources:

Personal experience

ed. Ruberg, Michelle. Handbook of Magazine Article Writing, Cincinnati: Writer's Digest Books, 2005.