📖Human Storyteller Unit 7 – Interviewing: Revealing Character & Meaning

What's This Unit About?

• Focuses on the art of interviewing to reveal character and meaning in storytelling
• Explores various interviewing techniques to uncover compelling narratives and insights
• Emphasizes the importance of preparation, active listening, and asking the right questions
• Covers different types of interviews and their specific purposes in storytelling
• Provides strategies for building rapport and trust with interviewees
• Discusses how to navigate common challenges and pitfalls during interviews
• Offers practical examples and exercises to develop interviewing skills

Key Concepts and Techniques

• Active listening involves fully concentrating on and engaging with the interviewee's responses
• Open-ended questions encourage interviewees to provide detailed and reflective answers (e.g., "Can you tell me more about...?")
• Follow-up questions help clarify and expand on interesting points raised by the interviewee
• Building rapport establishes a comfortable and trusting relationship between interviewer and interviewee
  • Achieved through empathy, genuine interest, and finding common ground
• Nonverbal communication, such as body language and tone of voice, can provide additional context and meaning
• Silence can be a powerful tool, allowing interviewees space to reflect and elaborate on their thoughts
• Structuring the interview with a clear beginning, middle, and end helps maintain focus and flow

Types of Interviews

• Informational interviews gather background information and context about a topic or subject
• Biographical interviews focus on an individual's life story, experiences, and personal growth
• Expert interviews seek specialized knowledge and insights from professionals in a specific field
• Emotional interviews explore the feelings, motivations, and psychological aspects of a person's experience
  • Requires a high level of sensitivity and empathy from the interviewer
• Investigative interviews aim to uncover facts, evidence, or hidden truths about a particular event or issue
• Ethnographic interviews study the customs, beliefs, and social dynamics of a specific community or culture
• Oral history interviews collect personal accounts and memories of historical events or periods

Preparing for an Interview

• Research the topic, subject, or interviewee thoroughly to develop informed and relevant questions
• Create an interview guide with key themes, questions, and prompts to provide structure and direction
  • Allow flexibility for organic conversation and unexpected insights
• Choose an appropriate location and setting that ensures comfort, privacy, and minimal distractions
• Test and familiarize yourself with recording equipment (e.g., microphones, cameras) beforehand
• Prepare the interviewee by explaining the purpose, format, and expected duration of the interview
• Obtain necessary permissions, releases, or consent forms for recording and using the interview material
• Practice active listening and open-ended questioning techniques to refine your interviewing skills

Conducting the Interview

• Begin with an ice-breaker or casual conversation to establish rapport and put the interviewee at ease
• Use your interview guide as a reference, but allow the conversation to flow naturally
• Ask open-ended questions that encourage detailed and reflective responses
  • Avoid leading or closed-ended questions that limit the interviewee's input
• Employ active listening techniques, such as nodding, maintaining eye contact, and providing verbal affirmations
• Take brief notes to capture key points, but avoid excessive writing that may disrupt the conversation flow
• Use follow-up questions to clarify, expand on, or redirect the discussion as needed
• Be attentive to nonverbal cues and emotional responses that may reveal deeper insights or meaning
• Conclude the interview by thanking the interviewee and discussing next steps or future communication

Uncovering Character and Meaning

• Pay attention to recurring themes, patterns, or contradictions in the interviewee's responses
• Probe for specific examples, anecdotes, or experiences that illustrate broader concepts or ideas
• Explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of the interviewee's story
  • Ask about their feelings, motivations, and personal growth throughout their experiences
• Look for moments of vulnerability, authenticity, or self-reflection that reveal deeper truths or insights
• Consider the cultural, social, and historical context that shapes the interviewee's perspective and experiences
• Analyze the language, tone, and narrative structure used by the interviewee to convey meaning
• Identify the central message, lesson, or takeaway that emerges from the interviewee's story

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

• Dealing with nervous, unresponsive, or evasive interviewees
  • Build rapport, ask warm-up questions, and create a comfortable atmosphere
• Handling sensitive or emotionally charged topics
  • Approach with empathy, respect, and a non-judgmental attitude
• Staying focused and on track during long or tangential interviews
  • Gently redirect the conversation using follow-up questions or prompts from your interview guide
• Navigating power dynamics or cultural differences between interviewer and interviewee
  • Be aware of your own biases, privileges, and communication style
  • Adapt your approach to ensure cultural sensitivity and understanding
• Managing technical difficulties or distractions during the interview
  • Have backup equipment, choose a quiet location, and minimize interruptions
• Dealing with your own emotional responses or biases as an interviewer
  • Practice self-awareness, maintain professionalism, and seek support or guidance when needed

Putting It All Together: Practice and Examples

• Conduct practice interviews with friends, family, or colleagues to develop your skills and confidence
• Analyze examples of successful interviews in various media (e.g., documentaries, podcasts, written profiles)
  • Identify effective techniques, question types, and storytelling strategies used
• Transcribe and edit your practice interviews to identify areas for improvement and refinement
• Seek feedback from experienced interviewers, mentors, or instructors to gain insights and guidance
• Experiment with different interviewing styles and techniques to find what works best for you and your subjects
• Develop a post-interview reflection process to evaluate your performance and learn from each experience
• Create a portfolio of your best interviews to showcase your skills and growth as an interviewer