Teaching Interviewing

The question man

Some of the best advice about interviewing for journalists comes from Canadian author and journalist, John Sawatsky, who has been giving workshops to journalists in Canada and around the world for years. His guidelines for getting the most out of interviews are outlined in a series of articles published in the American Journalism Review in October 2000. They are an invaluable resource for journalism educators teaching young journalists how to conduct interviews, not just how to land them. The full articles can be found at the link below.

The art of the interview from NPR

An August 2006 feature on John Sawatsky from National Public Radio. The page includes an article on Sawatsky's evolution from journalist to journalism prof to expert on teaching interviewing to journalists around the world. It includes an eight minute radio piece on what Sawatsky does, including clips from his fans and critics. It also includes an hour-long audio interview with Sawatsky, as well as excerpts from his presentations. In addition, the page includes clips from some of Sawatsky's favourite targets such as Larry King and Mike Wallace rejecting Sawatsky's approach.

Interviewing tips

A list of useful tips about preparing for and conducting effective interviews for reporters prepared by Paul McLaughlin, one of Canada's well-known instructors and authors on interviewing for journalists.

CBC's index of great interviews

The new CBC.ca inludes a page of links to a collection of interviews with great Canadians. The collection includes both radio and television interviews. A terrific resource.

Loosening lips

Pulitzer-prize winning reporter, Eric Nalder, formerly of the Seattle Times, now with the San Jose Mercury News, has given workshops on interviewing to reporters for years. His tips for doing great interviews are posted at various sites online.

More from NPR on interviewing

The summary of a lengthy presentation by Neil Conan, the host of NPR's Talk of the Nation, to the Poynter Institute on broadcast interviewing.

Interviewing tips from NPR to teens producing radio stories

NPR's project called Teenage Diaries on National Public Radio included a website with lots of tips for people about producing good radio stories. This page is the list of tips for conducting effective interviews.