Tips for Interviewing

General tips include these:

• Research. Read and obtain background information about the subject, source or topic at hand before interviewing so that you can ask informed questions.
• Ask simple questions. Keep your questions short, to the point and focused. Otherwise you risk distracting or confusing your subject, or allowing him or her to answer only part of a complex question. Break down complicated questions into shorter, simpler questions.
• Limit closed-ended questions; use mostly open-ended questions. Closed-ended questions are yes-or-no questions or those that invite very basic, one-word answers. Open-ended questions often begin with “Why?” and “How?” or phrases such as “Tell me about … ” or “How does that make you feel?” They invite longer, more insightful responses.
• Ask follow-up questions. An inexperienced interviewer asks a question, notes the response then moves on to the next question. Don’t stick to the script — listen to the answers and probe further before moving on to your prepared questions. Often it is during a follow-up question that the right quote falls into your lap. “Following up” can also involve a non-question, like a sympathetic response or a gesture of surprise or admiration.
• Take notes. While having an audio recorder is helpful, always keep a notebook handy and use it to jot down quotes, statistics or facts that strike you. You might also want to write down physical details about your environment and your subject’s appearance, facial expressions and voice. But be sure to look up from your notebook and maintain eye contact.
• Be conversational without having a conversation. Keep the interview informal and casual, not overly scripted, and go with the flow, allowing your subject to switch directions –- as long as you remain in control of the interview and are prepared to steer it back to your topic as needed.

Taken from HERE

Vocab! Due TUESDAY, FEB 1

Look up definition! Write 10 times! Study these! Learn these! Love these! TEST FRIDAY.

Frantic-adj
Dominant-adj
Cowardice-noun
Liberal-adj
Interrogate-verb
Genuine-adj
Nomad-noun
Corrupt-adjective
Initiate-verb
Tenuous-adj
Resolute-adj

Grey Gardens Reflection::Due FRIDAY

1) Is this documentary? Is this "Fly on the Wall" filmmaking? Or is this an interview? Or is it all of them? Explain.

2) If you were to make this type of documentary/interview about someone/something, who/what would you do it about? Why? What challenges do you think you'd face?

3) Do you think the Edie's were performing for the filmmakers? Or do you think they're like this all the time? What makes you think that? Give evidence.

4) What kind of writing is this like type of filmmaking? Have we done any of this type of writing? Would you like to do this sort of writing? Why?

Grey Gardens: Is It An Interview? Is is Documentary?

1) Write (with your hand! and a pen or pencil!) out each vocab word 10 times. Yes, that's right--10 times. You must turn it in Wednesday.

Truant
Bigot
Activist
Nemesis
Psychologist
Philanthropist
Kleptomaniac
Anarchist
Saboteur
Pauper
Archaeologist
Physicist

2) Thought Grey Gardens was weird? Read THIS article about what documentary really is.

Using the collaborative elements...

DUE FRIDAY, JAN 14th.
Double-spaced, 1.5 to 3 pages long. No longer than 3 pages!
12 point type.
Do it to it! Go and create!

Vocab for Jan 10th!

Hello, Sparrows!
Please find the definitions of these words as well as the ANTONYMS and PARTS OF SPEECH.
DUE MONDAY, just in time for another word game...

Acute
Mutual
Obsolete
Crucial
Infamous
Essential
Brevity
Hostile
Primitive
Relevant

VOCAB! Due TUESDAY, Jan 4th

Look up definitions AND parts of speech!

-Languid
-Palatable
-Capricious
-Novel
-Acquiesce
-Controversial
-Skirmish
-Repulsive