Oral
History Project 
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Step 2: Preparing for the Interview q 1. Setting Up the Interview: If you are the person setting up the interview, make sure you explain who you are and the purpose for the interview (e.g. my name is Bob Jones and I am a student at Central High School. I am researching life during the Great Depression and would like to interview you about your experiences in the CCC camps in Montana.) If you are going to the person’s home make sure you write down the address and a description of the house. Double check the address and the time of the interview at the end of the phone call. Let the person know in advance if you will be taking photographs. Please schedule the interview one to two weeks in advance. q 2. Time and Setting: Most interviews will run between 1/2 and a full hour. Be sure to set up a minimum of 45 minutes with your interviewee. If the interview goes longer than 90 minutes, stop and reschedule a second interview. Setting is also important and we suggest that the best place to conduct the interview is in the person’s home where they are most comfortable. It is important to be in a quiet area. q 3. Questions: To get things moving we suggest that you ask the interviewee to tell their story. This is a good way to get them talking. Also remember open-ended questions are much better than questions that can be answered with a yes or no. Use questions like “”What is your most difficult memory from your World War II experience?” Don’t ask for exact dates or chronologies because it often breaks the continuity of the interview, as the interviewee may not remember those specific dates. The best questions often emerge during the interview, and therefore cannot be anticipated. Some of the most effective questions are follow-ups. Simple questions like, “Can you tell me more about that?” or "How did you feel when that happened?” q 4. Gather materials and equipment: Get all of your equipment and materials ready at least a day before. Make sure all of the equipment is in working order (practice with the microphone and volume controls). Be sure to take the following: · Two tape recorders · Two blank 90 minute tapes ·
A lavaliere
microphone ·
Extension cord · Notepad and pen · Your list of questions · Consent form · Any necessary props · Camera
Step 1: The Pre-Interview Stage Step 3: Conducting the Interview |
