Table of Contents

Writing Interviews Level 2

Introduction

Have you ever wanted to know more about your friend’s favorite memories or the life experiences of an older person? Writing interviews is a fun way to learn about others and practice your writing skills! In this article, we will explore how to write an interview, including how to ask great questions and use the right verb tenses.

Definition and Concept

Writing an interview involves creating a conversation between you and another person, where you ask questions and they provide answers. This helps you practice forming questions and using different verb tenses correctly.

Relevance:

  • Language Arts: Improves writing and communication skills.
  • Social Skills: Encourages listening and understanding others.
  • Real-world applications: Useful for school projects, journalism, and personal storytelling.

Historical Context or Origin​

The art of interviewing has been around for centuries, primarily used in journalism and research. Interviews allow people to share their stories and insights, fostering understanding and connection among individuals and communities.

Understanding the Problem

To write an effective interview, you need to:

  • Choose a person to interview.
  • Prepare questions that are open-ended and engaging.
  • Use correct verb tenses when writing the responses.

Methods to Solve the Problem with different types of problems​

Method 1: Preparing Your Questions

  • Start with basic questions like ‘What is your name?’ or ‘Where are you from?’
  • Follow up with more detailed questions such as ‘What is your favorite memory from childhood?’

    • Example Questions:

    • What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
    • Can you tell me about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it?

    Method 2: Conducting the Interview

  • Ask your questions and listen carefully to the answers.
  • Take notes or record the conversation (with permission).

    • Example:
    Interviewer: ‘What is your favorite book and why?’
    Interviewee: ‘My favorite book is ‘The Little Prince’ because it teaches important life lessons.’

    Exceptions and Special Cases​

  • Closed Questions: These can be useful for specific information but may not lead to detailed responses. For example, ‘Did you enjoy school?’ can be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
  • Follow-up Questions: Always be ready to ask follow-up questions based on the interviewee’s responses to dive deeper into their stories.

    • Step-by-Step Practice​

    Step 1: Choose someone to interview, like a friend or family member.

    Step 2: Write down at least five questions you want to ask.

    Step 3: Conduct the interview, taking notes on their answers.

    Step 4: Write the interview in a conversational format, using the correct verb tenses.

    Example:
    Interviewer: ‘What is your favorite food?’
    Interviewee: ‘My favorite food is pizza because it’s delicious and versatile.’

    Examples and Variations

    Example Interview with a Friend:

    Interviewer: What is your favorite game to play?
    Interviewee: My favorite game is soccer because it’s fun to play with my friends.

    Example Interview with an Older Person:

    Interviewer: What was school like when you were a child?
    Interviewee: School was very different; we didn’t have computers, and we wrote everything by hand.

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    Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

    • Asking too many closed questions, which limits responses.
    • Not listening carefully to answers, leading to missed follow-up questions.
    • Using incorrect verb tenses when writing down responses.

    Tips and Tricks for Efficiency

    • Prepare your questions in advance, but be flexible to follow the conversation.
    • Practice active listening to engage with the interviewee’s answers.
    • Review your notes after the interview to ensure you capture the essence of the conversation.

    Real life application

    • School Projects: Writing interviews can be a part of reports or presentations.
    • Family History: Interviewing relatives can help preserve family stories and traditions.
    • Community Engagement: Learning about people in your community can foster understanding and connection.

    FAQ's

    Ask open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses, like ‘What was your favorite childhood memory?’
    Yes, but be respectful and introduce yourself to make them comfortable.
    That’s okay! Respect their privacy and move on to another question.
    Write it in a conversational format, using the interviewer’s and interviewee’s names to distinguish between them.
    Using correct verb tenses helps convey the timing of the responses clearly, making the interview easier to understand.

    Conclusion

    Writing interviews is a valuable skill that enhances your writing and communication abilities. By practicing how to ask questions and write responses, you can learn more about others and share their stories effectively.

    References and Further Exploration

    • Books: ‘Interviewing Skills for Writers’ by David W. Wright.
    • Websites: National Public Radio (NPR) has great examples of interviews.

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