I'm a student (high school) journalist. I consider myself to be, in general, pretty competent, but I often have trouble getting good interviews and quotes.
The problem I have is mainly with trying to write down what a person is saying quickly enough. I generally can't keep up with someone who is answering, and have to keep asking them to repeat things, or to wait while I write. This interrupts the flow of the interview, prevents me from getting quotes, and possibly compromises the ones I do get.
So...basically, anyone want to pass down some words of advice on how to take better notes during interviews? I know that a tape recorder would be the best solution, but for practical reasons, that's not always possible.
2006-08-09 08:59:09 · 9 answers · asked by sophicmuse 6 in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
YourDreamDoc: Sorry for any confusion, but I AM the interviewer. I need to take notes so that I can publish an accurate report of what my subject is saying - to do other would be a breach of ethics and potentially libel.
2006-08-09 09:05:22 · update #1
I just graduated in Journalism a couple of months ago. This is what I do regarding taking notes at interviews, hope it helps. A tape recorder is very useful, but as you said, sometimes is not possible to have one or, in the worst of the cases, it might not record. Which is why taking notes is ALWAYS important. While interviewing someone I usually write down key words or short sentences (expressions) in order, that will help me remember all the important things the person said. Don't pretend to write down the whole speech, you MUST pay attention to the topic in discussion, and like mentioned before write down the key words or sentences to keep a chronological track of the interview. If there's something not important enough, then don't even waste your time on writing anything, just keep listening and pay attention to other details.
As to quotes, it's obvious there are sentences that we don't wanna lose, something that must be said exactly the way the interviewed person said. And is also essential for the credibility of your article or report.
If you don't have a tape recorder handy, then the best thing you can do is pick short sentences to quote, so that you have time to write it down completly without interrupting the flow of the interview. But, if you must quote something that might take longer to take note of, then you might want to break it down into key sentences, LISTEN carefully and then, using your common sense, complete the quote when writing your work.
Hope this helps you! I know an interview can become frustrating, but try to relax, follow my advice, focus and listen carefully... you'll do much better!
2006-08-09 09:25:39 · answer #1 · answered by *LuNa* 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I just graduated with a BA in Journalism and now I'm a radio reporter. I have the same problem. You can plan to learn shorthand. Some of my old classmates developed their own form of shorthand.
Me- I always carry a recorder with me at all interviews even when I'm not using the material for the radio. That way I can go back and hear it over and over. With current technology, it is very practical to have a recorder at all times. Digital ones are small that you can carry them anywhere and you don't have to buy replacement cartridges. They've also become fairly inexpensive and its a great investment as a journalist. Then you can note where the quotes that you want to use are on your recording.
Tips for your questions. Always ask open ended questions. Don't ask questions that can produce a yes or no answer. Ask questions that don't presuppose anything. Never ask two part questions because the interviewee may choose which question to answer.
2006-08-09 17:03:56 · answer #2 · answered by Mocha_latta_ice 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ug I have the SAME problems you do. I started using a tape recorder, but then I would write down the first few bits of quotes that I liked. That way you can fast forward to those parts and just get the quotes.
Also if you get the big words of the quote you can fill in the words later. You should ALWAYS fill in your notes and comment on your notes as soon as the interview ends, so that it's all fresh in your head.
You can probably get a really cheap digital recorder on ebay. They're amazing and will change your career forever.
Good Luck!
2006-08-09 16:04:43 · answer #3 · answered by ballerina_kim 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try writing down your main Q's before the interview and leaving space after them for the answer (so you know what their words are in reference to) also try using more abbreviations. You will probably have no trouble deciphering your own abbrev.
2006-08-09 16:06:25 · answer #4 · answered by Jen square 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Basically you DONT take notes in the interview. You just remember what the interviewer says. Taking note may look non professional!
2006-08-09 16:03:17 · answer #5 · answered by YourDreamDoc 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Learn shorthand. You might be able to find a book at a used book store or the library.
2006-08-09 16:05:34 · answer #6 · answered by Boomerang Child 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
be more confident and try to smile all the time. moreover shake the hand strongly and look straight in the other person's eyes. in addition to that you shoul tell absolutelly all you can say at every question, so that you won't look like hiding something...the last advice is to take a pill to relax yourself and try to be you..that's the most important...
2006-08-09 16:06:47 · answer #7 · answered by malasorte71 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
u can get really cheap books on stuff like these from the professonals.
2006-08-09 16:05:26 · answer #8 · answered by Shan 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i have the same problem
2006-08-09 16:03:20 · answer #9 · answered by safdar_mjd 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋