Comm 201 - Chapters 5 & 17 (Interviewing Techniques & Profiles)

CHAPTER 17 (PROFILES AND OBITUARIES)

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Obituary Guidelines

Background Research Before you use anything from a website for background research, make sure that you check it for accuracy. Was the site dated? Does it have an author? Is the site credible? Do not use anything you can't verify. If you do include something from a website, cite your source. Name: Use full name, middle initial and nickname if it was commonly used. Enclose the nickname in quotation marks. Identification: How do you describe a person's life in one brief phrase? That's not so easy to do, but most obituaries start with a lead that identifies the person and summarizes the main accomplishment of his life. Usually, people are identified by occupation or community service. Always try to find something special to use follow- ing the name, such as "John Doe, a retired salesman" or "Jane Doe, a homemaker who was active in her church." Age: In some cases, a family will request that you withhold the age. You should confer with an editor about honoring this request. Date and Place of Death: Use the day of the week if the death occurred that week, the date if it was more than a week prior to the obituary. State the name of a hospital, if applicable, or other location where the death occurred. Cause of Death: This fact is not required at all newspapers, especially if the cause of death was suicide or AIDS-related, or when the family requests that the cause be withheld. However, some news organizations require the cause of death, regardless of stigma or family wishes. So check your organization's policy before you gather the information. You may have to inform family members of the policy. If a suicide occurs on a college campus, the news spreads quickly. Should it be mentioned in a campus newspaper story or obituary? That's an ethical dilemma that campus news editors and directors have debated. If it is public and well known around the school, one approach is to do a general story about suicide, which is a significant issue on college campuses. In most cases, however, suicide is not mentioned in the obituary out of respect for the family. Tell where the person lived when he died and previous areas of residence for any major length of time. Broadcast obituaries rarely use the specific address. Background: Specify major accomplishments, organizations, educational background, military background and any other highlights. When people are very active in their church, mosque or synagogue, this fact should be mentioned in the obituary. Survivors: Use the names of immediate family members (husband or wife, with her maiden name; children; brothers and sisters). Grandchildren are usually mentioned only by number: "He is survived by five grandchildren." New complications are aris- ing these days because of changes in family relationships. Many news publications now list unmarried partners as survivors. In the future these relationships may also be a standard part of obituaries. Services: Specify the time, date and location. Burial: Name the place, and provide memorial information when available. When the death occurred a week or more ago, it is customary to start with information about the service or a memorial if that has not yet been conducted. Names of Services: Mass is celebrated, not said.The word is capitalized. Find out the exact wording you should use for the particular mass, such as Mass of Christian Burial. Likewise, ask for the proper wording of a service for other denominations. Courtesy Titles: Although many newspapers and TV news organizations have eliminated courtesy titles (Mrs., Mr., Ms., Miss) for news stories, several keep them for obituaries. Again, you must check your newspaper's or broadcast station's policy. Titles for Religious Leaders: Check the proper title for a rabbi, minister or priest. When writing about a priest, do not use "Father" or "Pastor" for the title. Use "the Rev." (the reverend) followed by the priest's name: "the Rev. Vince Krische." For a rabbi, use "Rabbi" before the name on first reference: "Rabbi Jacob Katz." On second reference for clergy, including priests, use only the last name. But for second reference to high-ranking clergy, use "Cardinal," "Archbishop" and so on. Check The Associated Press Stylebook for specific religious titles.

Have a Mission

First, consider your mission. You are a reporter, not a stenographer who just receives information and transcribes it. A reporter evaluates information for its accuracy, fairness, newsworthiness and potential to make a readable story. During the reporting process, look for facts, good quotes, substantiation and answers to the five W's — who, what, when, where, why — and also "how" and "so what." One question should lead to another until you have the information you need. An interview with one source is just the beginning of reporting for most stories. For credibility and fairness, you need other sources — human and written — for differing points of view and accuracy checks.

Note-taking Tips

If you are dealing with people who are not accustomed to being interviewed, start your interview slowly by asking a few nonthreatening questions. After you have established some rapport with the source, take out your notebook. Be Prepared Do not rely solely on electronic equipment for note taking. Bring extra pens and pencils. You may run out of ink, or your pencils may break. If you do an interview in the rain, you'll want to have pencils handy. Concentrate When you hear a good quote or the start of one, write rapidly and concentrate. Thinking of your next question while you are trying to write down a complete quote will interfere with your concentration. Use Keywords Jot down key words to remind you of facts and statements from the source. Develop a Shorthand System Abbreviate as many words as possible. Slow the Pace When you are taking notes for a quote, slow the pace of the interview by pausing before your next question until you write the quote. If your source is speaking too fast, politely ask him to slow down. Request Repetition Don't be afraid to ask your source to repeat a quote or fact you missed. Although the quote may not be worded exactly as before, it will be close enough. In fact, the repeated statement may be even better. Make Eye Contact Look at your source while asking questions and taking notes. Mark Your Margins or Notebook Covers When you hear something that prompts another question in your mind, jot it in the margin as soon as you think of it. Some reporters use the covers of their notebooks to write questions that come to mind during the interview, so they can find them easily without flipping through notebook pages. Verify Vital Information Get the exact spelling of your source's name and his title during or at the end of the interview. Don't go by a nameplate on a door or desk. That could be a nickname. Ask the source for the name he prefers to use, and ask for the spelling even if you are sure of it. Even if you are reporting for television, you will need the spelling of the name, which may be superimposed on the screen during a sound bite. Double-Check If your source says he has three main points or reasons for running for office, make sure that you get all three. Write "3 reasons" in the margin, number them as you hear them and check before you conclude the interview. Be Open-Minded You may have one idea for the story when you begin taking notes. But don't limit your notes to one concept. Your story angle could change at any time during the interview. Use a Symbol System To save time writing your story, mark your notes with a star or some symbol next to the information that you think will be important. Develop your own system. Stand and Deliver Practice taking notes while you are standing. You will not have the luxury of sit-down reporting, especially at the scene of fires, accidents, disasters and most other breaking news stories. Save Your Notes You should save your notes after the story is published or aired. How long you should save them is debatable. Lawyers disagree whether notes are helpful or harmful in court cases if you are sued for libel or any other reasons. But most editors advise saving the notes at least for a few weeks after the story appears, in case any questions about it arise. For this reason, it is helpful to date your notebooks.

Intro to obituaries

He called his obituaries "character portraits," filled with details of how the person lived, "warts and all," he says. Obituaries tend to be flattering portraits. But Nicholson says they should be true portraits. He believes someone's bad habits and criminal background, if they exist, should be part of an obituary. Many editors would disagree. And families are not likely to be happy with unflattering material. Generally, news editors weigh whether a criminal background was a crucial part of the person's life and if the crime was highly publicized. If a person was arrested at one time for shoplifting or for another misdemeanor, most editors would recommend omitting such information.

Reporting for Visuals

If you have video, don't describe the scene that viewers can see for themselves. But if you don't have video, gather details so you can describe the scene to viewers or the anchor, or use in a print story. Locations Get the names of streets and major intersections nearest to the site of the incident. Even if you plan to use Google maps, ask details about specific measurements: yards, feet, number of city blocks or whatever else would help pinpoint locations. How many feet or yards away from the landfill is the nearest house? What buildings are in the area? When the gas pipe exploded, how many feet from the gas line was the nearest building? This information might be helpful for creating a graphic or describing the scene, especially if you are broadcasting on the scene. Statistics Think of charts for print, broadcast or public relations materials. If your city council has raised taxes, what have taxes been during the past five years? How much has tuition increased during the past several years? Statistics like these can be boring to read. But they are easy to understand in chart form that can be posted in print or on the Web Highlights Gather information for a facts box, such as important dates or highlights of someone's career. Suppose you are doing a profile. Instead of listing key dates and incidents in your story, could you place them more effectively in a box?

Interview tips

The Dumb Factor Beginning reporters often worry that they will appear dumb to sources. Don't worry about what you don't know. You are there to listen and learn, not to be the expert. The whole point is to get information from the source. In fact, acting dumb can give you an advantage. Even if you know the answer to a question, you should ask it anyway so that you can get the information in the source's words. If the source gives you technical or confusing information, you might ask, "Could you explain that so I can write it clearly?" Most sources enjoy taking the teaching role or showing off what they know. Here are some ways to conduct the interview and some types of questions to ask. Not all of these techniques and questions apply to every story. Start Out by Using Icebreakers Introduce yourself and briefly state your purpose. Establish rapport with some general conversation. Don't pull out your notebook immediately. Try to sit at an angle to your source so you are not directly facing him in a confrontational manner. Observe the surroundings. Do you notice something you can mention as an icebreaker, a way to establish rapport? If an official has a picture on his desk of his family, don't get overly familiar. Use good judgment. Then explain a little more about what you are seeking in your story. Plan Your First Question Try to find a question or approach that would interest the source, especially if the person is a celebrity, an athlete or an official who has been interviewed often. These people often give standard answers to Ask follow-up questions using a conversational technique. Questions they consider boring because they have been asked the same questions so many times. If you research well, you will find some tidbit or angle to a story that might lead to an unusual question — and an interesting answer. Put Your Questions in Non-threatening Order In most cases you will want to follow Barbara Walsh's advice and start with non-threatening questions. However, if you have only five minutes with a source, you may have to ask your toughest question first or whichever one will yield you the most crucial information for your story. Ask the Basic Questions Who, what, when, where, why and how are the most basic. Then add the "so what" factor: Ask the significance. Who will be affected and how? This question will give you information for your impact paragraph. Ask Follow-Up Questions These are the questions that will give you quotes and anecdotes. Use a conversational technique. When a source answers one question, follow the trend of thought by asking why and how, and asking the source to explain or give examples. Here are some general follow-up questions to provide context and interesting material: ■What was your reaction? ■What do you mean by that? ■How did that happen? ■How did you do that? ■What is the significance? ■Who will be affected? Keep Quiet Do not talk too much or try to impress your source with your knowledge. Let the source talk. You need to quote the source, not yourself. Be Nonjudgmental Don't insert your comments or opinions into your questions. You should remain neutral and strive for fairness. If you have to ask a controversial question, use the "blame others" technique: Your opponent says that . . . How do you respond? Control the Interview If your source rambles or prolongs an answer, and you want to move the interview in another direction, don't interrupt. Wait for a natural pause before asking your next question. Repeat Questions What should you do if the source gives you an evasive or incomplete answer? The best tactic is to drop the question and continue the interview. After you have discussed a few other points, repeat the question you want answered, but state it in a slightly different way. Sometimes a source will recall or share more the second time the question is raised. Ask Background Questions Get the history of the issue, if applicable. How and when did the problem or program start? Why? Construct a Chronology When appropriate, ask questions to establish a sequence of events. You don't need to write the story in chronological order, but you need to understand the order in which events occurred. Ask About Developments What are the current concerns and developments? How did the issue evolve? What is likely to happen in the future? The answer to the question about the future may provide you with a good ending for your story. In some cases, it may give you a lead and a new focus for your story. The next step in an action is often the most newsworthy angle. You will probably have to update your story anyway for TV, social media or the Web. Role-Play If you were in the reader's place, how would you use the information? For example, if you needed to apply for a loan, what steps would you have to take, and where would you go? What does the reader or viewer need and want to know? Ask About Pros and Cons Ask your source to discuss both sides of an issue, when relevant. Who agrees and disagrees with his point of view? What are his responses to the opposition? Ask for Definitions Always get your source to define any bureaucratic or technical terms in language that you and your readers or viewers will understand. Don't accept or write any information that you can't explain. To clarify, you might restate the information in your own words and ask the source if you have the correct interpretation. Verify Ask questions even if you know the answers. Always check the spelling of your source's name — first and last names as well as middle initial. Check the person's title and the dates of crucial events. Check the accuracy of information on a résumé or news release. You don't have to repeat everything, but you should ask the source whether the information released is correct. Then ask some questions that expand on the basic information. Also, remember that if the source tells you something about another person, you must check it out with that person. Use the 'Blame Others' Technique When you have to ask tough questions, blame someone else: "Your opponent says you cheated on your income taxes. How would you respond to that?" Handle Emotional Questions With Tact Avoid insensitive questions. There's a saying in journalism that there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers. That's not exactly true. "How do you feel about the death of your three children?" is not only a stupid question; it's insensitive as well. Instead of asking such an emotionally loaded question, ask the person to recall specific memories about his children, or ask how the person is coping with the tragedy. Ask Summary Questions Restate information, or ask the source to clarify the key points he is making — for example: "Of all the goals you have expressed, which would you say are the most important to you? What do you think are the three major issues you face?" Use the 'Matchmaker' Technique Ask whether anyone else is involved in the issue or if there are other people the source would suggest you contact. Remember that you will want more than one source for your story so that you can strive for fairness and balance. Ask Free-Choice Questions Ask the source whether there is anything he would like to add. End on a Positive Note When you have finished the interview, thank your source. Ask whether you can call back if you have any further questions. At this point, you also could ask for another way to reach the source, such as an email address or cell phone number.

Observation

These days it is even more essential to videotape interviews so you can produce audio and video that will enhance your stories for the Web and mobile media If you are reporting a news event for television, don't depend on video to record the observations. In any disaster, fire, or similar breaking news event, the reporter needs to describe the scene and answer ques- tions the anchor might ask. In addition reporters may be expected to post blogs to describe breaking news events. The more details the better

the Goal Method

To discover those turning points and other qualities of your profile subject, consider using the GOAL method (goals, obstacles, achievements, logistics). Questions about obstacles the person faced can provide some of the most interesting parts of your profile. Don't stick to any order, but consider some of these questions as they arise naturally in the conversation: ■Goals: What were your original goals? What are your current and future goals? ■obstacles: What obstacles did you face in accomplishing your goals, and what new problems loom? ■achievements: What pleasures or problems have these achievements brought? ■logistics: What background (logistics of who, what, when, where) led to your current situation? How has your past influenced you?

Turning Points

■Patterns: Some lives build to a climax, as for a law school student who becomes a judge. ■Decisive moments or turning points: Most lives take turns along the way. Take the law school student; perhaps she wanted to be a great defense lawyer but became a prosecutor instead. Or maybe your subject was an accountant who became head of a river-rafting company. ■Future: Every profile subject has a future, and you need to ask your subject what could lie ahead. Let the person speculate, especially about career goals. Ask the impertinent question: If this career doesn't work out, what could you do? The answers about the future could also provide an ending for the profile.

The important facts (obituaries)

A misspelled name or a factual error is a major problem in any story; in an obituary it is disastrous. So you should check every fact, every name, every reference. And you should check with the funeral director and the family to make sure that the person you are writing about is dead. Most newspapers have free or paid death notices — announcements from the family about the deceased. In addition, funeral directors and families call the news- paper to request an obituary. Almost all newspapers will publish an obituary about anyone prominent in the community. Generally, reporters scan the paid death notices to look for interesting people, long-term residents or those active in community service. Then you make the phone calls — or double-check the validity of the ones you have received by calling a funeral home, checking the phone book, and calling the family back or calling other relatives and friends. And, as in any other story, you check newspaper clips or databases and the Internet. Calling people about death isn't easy. But it isn't as difficult as you might expect, especially for obituaries. Most families are grateful because this is the last story — and more often the only story — printed about their loved ones. Usually, someone in the family is prepared to deal with the media. The easiest way to start gathering information is with the funeral director, if one has been selected. The funeral director should have the basic information and should be able to tell you which family members to call and their phone numbers.

Email Interviews

Advantages Email gives the source some time to think about responses to your questions. It also saves you from taking notes, and you can get accurate quotes when the source responds in writing. Disadvantages Email interviews prohibit spontaneity and good follow-up questions. You also can't observe the source's reactions and body language, nor can you gather descriptive detail. Several colleges are prohibiting email interviews because they give the source control over responses. The University of South Florida and Princeton University are two of them. The editor of The Daily Princetonian said email interviews result in sto- ries with "stilted, manicured quotes . . . that make it extremely difficult for reporters to ask follow-up questions or build relationships with sources." ■limit the number of questions: Sources will respond better to a few ques- tions than to a long list. Strive for a maximum of five questions. ■clarify your purpose: Make it clear that you intend to use the email message in a news story. Personal email messages are not intended for publication. ■Verify the source's full name and title: Email addresses do not always include the source's proper name. ■limit your follow-up email messages: You may have to reply to the source's email with another question or a request for more information. But don't badger the source with several email messages. ■attribute to email: Although not required, it is preferable to explain in your news story that the source made the comments in an email interview.

Snapshot Profiles

Brief profiles showing a slice of life or vignettes of people are excellent formats for the Web or for a package of stories as sidebars to a main in-depth story, especially now that many stories are being tailored to small screens. An idea that works well is a package of stories about diversity on campus, with profiles of international stu- dents or those from varied ethnic and racial backgrounds. A major story about an upcoming election in your town might also lend itself to these snapshot profiles of the candidates. Julie Sullivan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, mastered the art of writing snapshot profiles several years ago when she won an award for short news writing from the American Society of Newspaper Editors. Sullivan takes voluminous notes but discards about half of them. "I write everything down. I don't trust my memory," she says. She also stresses observation. "Pay attention to details, from the right spelling of names to finding out the date of people's birthdays." How does she know which details to include in her stories? "I write what I remem- ber without looking at my notes. What details stand out?" She is also selective about the limited quotes she includes. "I really think readers glaze over quotes," she says. "I do few quotes because I think most people are pretty plain-spoken and simple. You don't need to use it just because it's in quotes." Her tips for writing briefly: "Trust your instincts about what is important, what struck you during the interview. The rest is chaff." The profile that follows was part of a series about the problems of low-income residents in a deteriorating Spokane apartment building, the Merlin. As you read this profile, consider what information came from observations and what came from questions. And then decide how you could say it all in as few words.

Micro Profile

Can you describe yourself or your profile subject in six words? Consider the poignancy of these six words: "For sale, baby shoes, never worn." Those words were written by Ernest Hemingway when he was challenged to write a six-word story to win a bet, although it has never been proven conclusively that he was the author. But Pete Berg, a freelance TV producer and Web designer was inspired by the story to create a website seeking contributors of six word stories (www.sixwordstories.net). Many of the entries are also poignant, clever and convey a complete story in such a succinct form. Check it out for inspiration.

Basic Elements of Profiles

Focus What is the main idea of the profile? What makes this person newsworthy? Why are you writing about this person now? Those questions should be answered in the nut graph. Theme What is the difference between a nut graph and a theme? The nut graph is the reason for the story, but the theme is an angle or recurring idea that weaves throughout the story. Some general themes for profiles might be overcoming adversity; succeeding against odds; or coping with failure, illness or serious problems. Background Profiles should not be written in chronological order. The subject's background should be inserted where it fits best, often in the middle of the story. But in some cases, when the background is the most interesting or crucial element, it may be the lead or in the beginning of the story, as in this example about a New Orleans detective who overcame adversity to become a successful detective. *Age and Physical Description: Help the reader visualize your profile subject. But use description only when it is relevant to the topic you are discussing. Make the details work for you. *Other Points of View: Seek anecdotes and comments from friends, family, colleagues and other people affected by the person at work, such as students for a pro- file about a professor or employees for a profile about a manager. Visuals Use graphics as a way to visualize your story in both the planning and writing stages. Outlining your profile by planning a facts (highlights) box can help you determine what topics to include in your story. If the background is boring, break it out of your story. You can put key dates and such information as birthplace, education, career moves or similar items in a box. But if that information is an interesting and crucial part of your story, leave it in the body of the profile. You also can use a box to add information that doesn't fit well into your story but might be of interest, such as hobbies, favorite books, a favorite saying or a major goal. The major goal should also be mentioned in your story, but it works well in a facts box. Several newspapers, magazines and websites use graphic devices to substitute for written profiles; others use highlights boxes to enhance profiles. For example, The Kansas City (Missouri) Star Sunday magazine profiles celebrities with blurbs follow- ing these headings: Vital statistics (occupation, birthday, birthplace, current home, marital status and so on) ■■ My fantasy is... ■■ If I could change one thing about myself, it would be . . . ■■ The best times of my life... ■■ Behind my back my friends say . . . ■■ These words best describe me . . .

Listening Tips

Focus on the 'Hear' and Now Concentrate on what the source is saying now, not on what you will ask next. Practice Conversational Listening Base your next question on the last sen- tence or thought the source expressed, as though you were having a conversation with your friend. Practice Critical Listening Evaluate what the source is saying as you hear it. Listen on one level for facts, on another for good quotes and on a third level for elaboration and substantiation. Is the source making a point clearly and supporting it? If not, ask the source to repeat, elaborate or define the meaning. Be Quiet Whose interview is this anyway? Do not try to impress the source with what you know. You can't quote yourself. Let the source explain a point, even if you understand it, so you can get information in the source's words. Be Responsive Make eye contact frequently, so your source knows you are listening. If you don't understand something, say so. "Why?" "How?" "I don't understand" and "Please explain." Listen for What Isn't Said Is the source avoiding a topic? Who or what isn't the source talking about — a family member (in a personal profile), a close official, a crucial part of his background? Sometimes, what is omitted from a conversation is more revealing than what is included. Listen With Your Eyes What kind of body language is the source displaying? Is the source smiling, frowning or exhibiting discomfort when you ask certain ques- tions? Are these telltale signs that the source may be lying or withholding information? Observation can be a good listening tool Be Polite If the source starts to ramble or give you irrelevant information, don't interrupt. Wait for the source to pause briefly, and then change the subject. Block Personal Intrusions You've had a bad day, your car broke down, you failed a test or you have some emotional concerns. Block personal thoughts that will affect your concentration.Your problems will still be there when the interview is over. The source will not. Be Flexible Don't go to your interview with a rigid agenda of questions. Although you may start with prepared questions, if the interview goes in another direction, follow that course if it is interesting. Listen for what you want to know and what you didn't expect to know.

Planning the Interview (Set up in advance)

Identify Your Focus What is the purpose of your interview? The focus may change after you do the interview, but you need to start with a specific reason for your story so you know what kind of information you need to get and what sources you need. Research the Background Check news clippings, TV footage, social media sites and written and online sources. Check with secondary sources — friends and opponents — before or after you interview the subject of a story. Identify Your Goals What kind of information are you hoping to get from this source? Is the source going to be the central focus of the story, as in a profile, or just one of several people cited in the story? Get a general idea of why you need this source, so you can explain briefly when you call for an interview. Plan Your Questions Prepare your list of questions in two ways: Write all the questions you want to ask, preferably in an abbreviated form. Then mark the questions you must ask to get the most crucial information for your story. If your source refuses to grant you the time you need, you can switch to the crucial list during your interview. Request the Interview The most important point is to plan ahead. Officials and many other sources may not be able to see you on brief notice. When you make the call, state your name and purpose. Or try the sponsorship technique: "I'm working on a story about date rape on campus, and Officer John Brown suggested that I call you." You can also try contacting a source by email to set up an appointment. State your name, affiliation and purpose. Save your questions until you find out whether you can get a telephone or face-to-face interview. Dress Appropriately If you are interviewing a source on a farm, don't wear a business suit. However, if you are interviewing corporate officials or people in more formal business settings, you should dress as though you worked there. Arrive on Time You could arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, but don't arrive too early because you could inconvenience people who are busy. And never come late.

Pros and Cons of Digital Recorders

If you want to get the exact wording of quotes, or if you are interviewing a source about a controversial subject, a recorder is beneficial and even crucial in investigative reporting. But you shouldn't play back the entire recording and transcribe it before you write your story. That is too time-consuming. Scan the recording for the quotes you need. Before you begin recording your interview, follow some etiquette. Start your interview with basic introductions — who you are and why you are there — and some opening conversation. To put the source at ease, you might even ask a few questions before you ask the source whether he would object to the recorder. If you want to record a telephone interview, be aware of the laws in your state. Twelve states prohibit recorded conversations without the consent of the person being taped: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington. Other states mandate that only one person must be aware of the taping, either the reporter or the person being interviewed. For a list of laws regarding taping in each state, check the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press at www.rcfp.org/taping. You can't secretly record any conversation between two other people when you are not a part of the discourse. For example, if you are on an extension phone and neither party knows you are recording the conversation, you are violating a federal law against wiretapping. The Federal Wiretap Statute provides for penalties of up to $250,000 in fines and up to five years in prison. The most ethical approach is to let your source know you are recording the interview, except in very few situations. Investigation in a state where the one-party rule applies, you could record a conversation without the source's knowledge. However, most editors consider the use of deception or other undercover techniques a last resort.

Telephone Interviews

Researchers suggest that the average telephone interview should be limited to 20 minutes. After that, the attention span of the person responding wanes. Identification Immediately state your name and affiliation and the purpose for the call. Icebreakers These may not be necessary. Get to the point quickly. Length of Questions Keep questions very short. Limit the number of questions as well. Plan two lists: (1) all the questions you want to ask and (2) crucial questions. If you have time for only a few questions, switch to the crucial list. Don't wait too long to ask the crucial ones. You never can tell when the source will be interrupted and will terminate the interview. Clarification It may be harder to understand information over the telephone, so clarify anything that is confusing. Repeat any confusing terms or information in your own words, and ask your source to verify your interpretation. Specifics Ask for details and examples. If you want to describe the scene, ask your source to give you the descriptive details. Chronology A chronology is especially important in police and fire stories you receive by telephone. After a source tells you the high points of what happened, you could ask him to explain the order in which events unfolded. Control You need to control the interview by switching the subject so you get answers to the questions you need. Verification Double-check the spelling of the name, title and other basic information. If you haven't heard it clearly, spell it back to the source, especially when dealing with police officers. They usually do not identify themselves by their full names when they answer the phone on duty, so make sure that you get first and last names and the proper rank, such as lieutenant, sergeant or captain.

Sensitivity

The way you deal with sources can differ, depending on whether they are public or private individuals. Because public officials are accustomed to dealing with the media, you have a right to expect them to talk to you. Private individuals do not have to deal with the media, and you need to use more sensitivity when interviewing them. All sources, public and private, want to be portrayed well in the media. Many sources, especially public officials, will manipulate reporters by revealing only information that furthers their cause. As a result, reporters need to be aware of the source's bias and ask probing questions that go beyond what the source wants to reveal. It is also crucial to check the information and seek alternative points of view.

Organizing the Profile

There is no one way to organize a profile, other than having a lead, a body and an ending. Just make sure that you have a focus. Descriptive show-in-action leads, anecdotes, contrast leads and scene-setting leads work particularly well in profiles. As with any lead, make sure you backup the lead with information that supports it later in the story. The body of the story can be organized in many ways: Supporting Themes Block each concept, use all relevant material, and go on to the next concept. Time Frames Start with the present, go to the past, go back to the present, and end with the future. Or use some variation of the time frames, possibly starting with the past and then proceeding to the present. Chronology Look for a place in the story where chronological order might be useful, but don't write the entire profile in chronological order. A chronology might be helpful for the background. It might also work if you are writing the profile in narrative style. In some cases, however, the story might lend itself to chronological order if a situation unfolds in that sequence. Just make sure that your nut graph tells readers why you are writing about this person now. Point/Counterpoint If the subject lends itself to pro-and-con treatment, you might consider this method. It can be helpful in profiles of politicians. You can include reaction quotes from other people after each controversial point is made. Sections Splitting the story into separate parts may work if the profile is very complex. For example, if you are doing an in-depth profile of a politician or crime victim or crime suspect, you might organize it in sections, either by time frames of the person's life, issues or different points of view. Q and A The question/answer format is becoming popular as a format for profiles. It works well in print and on the Web. Several types of endings work well with profiles. A quote kicker can be used to summarize a source's feelings about the subject or to recap the subject's accomplishments. Or, with a circular ending, you can return to the lead for an idea and end on a similar note. An ending with a future theme tells what lies ahead for the person.

Common Interviewing Problems

an interview? Ask the source why the information should be off the record (meaning you can't use it), and try to convince the source that the information is not harmful. Ask the question another way during the course of the interview to see whether you can get the information on the record. ■What do you do if the source tells you not to use his name after the interview? Try to prevent this by making sure you identify yourself and your purpose clearly at the start of the interview. If you suspect that this might happen, set ground rules at the beginning of the interview by explaining that you cannot use anonymous sources. Try to convince the source to be identified. If the source still refuses, ask if you can identify the source by a vague title or position such as "a source in the administration." ■What do you do if the source terminates the interview abruptly before you have the information you need? Ask if you may contact the source again for further questions. ■What do you do if the source gives you information that is inaccurate or false? Check your facts, and if you discover inaccuracies or falsehoods, contact the source again and confront him with the problems. Ask for an explanation.

Open & Closed-ended Questions

■ closed-ended questions are designed to elicit brief, specific answers that are factual. They are good for getting basic information, such as name and title; yes or no answers; and answers to some basic questions about who, where, when, such as: How long have you worked here? How many people were at the rally? When did the accident occur? ■ open-ended questions are designed to elicit quotes, elaboration or longer responses. Avoid being judgmental in the way you frame your initial questions and follow-up questions. The more neutral you are, the more responsive your source is likely to be. The questions that will elicit the most quotes and anecdotes start with what, why and how: ■What (What happened? What is your reaction? What do you mean by that? Can you elaborate?) ■Why (Why did you do that? Why do you believe . . .?) ■How (How did something happen? How did you accomplish that?) ■Give me an example (a follow-up question to explain how the source felt, thought, acted in a specific situation) Keep your questions brief. Ask questions in simple sentences — one question at a time. Don't combine two questions into one sentence.