Interview technique and etiquette

sligobhoy67

I am due to write my first ever article for a boxing website. I have no training or experience in the field of journalism but I have a deep knowledge of the boxing game and I write quite a bit on wikipedia but have now committed to making the leap.

My first article will involve a face to face interview with a boxer and a telephone interview with his opponent.

Can someone give me some advice as to what I should and shouldn't do!?

Pen1987

For a start, research.

Have a structure in mind before you start the interview.

Record it all on a dictaphone

Have your questions prepared

If the conversation goes quiet ignore the awkwardness, he might blurt something good just to fill the gap

quote - directly

Loads of other stuff, it'll come with a bit of experience.

Awful Scut Mk2

You will need to have a rough idea going into the interview what kind of line you want to get out of it.

For example, if there is something that stands out about the guy (say it's his first time fighting a Yank boxer since he lost to another Yank in his only ever defeat), you'll need to get him to give you a quote about that. "I'm not afraid of American fighters, that was just a once-off", etc. This is just an instance, probably a lot more will come out of the interview, once you get going.

The dictaphone is a good idea, you can similarly record the phone chat by holding it up to the earpiece of the phone (not strictly ethical, but what the hell, unless you have superb shorthand). Transcribe all the quotes and see which one stands out - this will be the hook upon which you hang the interview, the rest will then follow.

How long will the article be and for what type of publication?

santosubito

sligobhoy67 wrote: »

I am due to write my first ever article for a boxing website. I have no training or experience in the field of journalism but I have a deep knowledge of the boxing game and I write quite a bit on wikipedia but have now committed to making the leap.

My first article will involve a face to face interview with a boxer and a telephone interview with his opponent.

Can someone give me some advice as to what I should and shouldn't do!?

Best of luck OP. Journalism is a hugely rewarding career. And all you really need to do to succeed is work your mickey off, be obsessed and work your mickey off again
Now, some advice: if it's a news piece, leave your opinions out of it. Write what your subject says, not what you think he's trying to say. It is a good idea to use a dictaphone, but ask the subject if he is okay with that first. When you turn it on, tell him it's on. Remember some people get nervous when speaking to a reporter, so reassure him that if he says something and wants to correct it a few seconds later, that's no problem.
You need an angle to sell your story to a paper or other outlet.
An angle is the strongest, most newsworthy, thing he says to you. So, for example, he might say he's an amateur and is desperate to turn pro, or laments government funding for the sport, or even that he's afraid of his opponent.
Whatever it is, you'll know it when you hear it. Just think of it this way: you interview the guy and then you meet your pals down the pub. What's the first thing you tell them he said? That's your angle - the most important line of the interview.
I'm not a sports journalist but have been a national paper reporter for 15 odd years. Feel free to PM me if you need any help.

Nige93

What is the best way to prepare for an interview???

Michael O Toole

Nige93 wrote: »

What is the best way to prepare for an interview???

Do as much research on the topic as you can.

IRE60

In this case also glance at some of the material from Hunter Thompson

Qualitymark

Recording is fine, but you must tell the person you're recording him.

Prepare your questions - probably around six questions, and a checklist for yourself:

1) Is the recorder on and working? (You can get phone connectors for most recorders - ask in Peat's) Check beforehad that this method works.

2) Introduce yourself, say "I'm taping this, if this is ok with you - if not I can just type your answers, but taping's faster - up to yourself". Most people are ok with taping. (In a short interview, typing is often actually better - you don't have to type a long interview out.)

3) Ask the person to spell his name, unless it's Joe Murphy (and if you don't, it will inevitably happen that he spells it Joh Murfi).

4) Ask your questions: for example

* When did you start boxing? How did it happen? Is it in your family?
* What was your first win?
* What was your most dramatic fight?
* Famous people you've fought?
* Tell me about this upcoming fight (that's the reason for the interview)
* What are your chances?
* What are your plans for the future?

5) Closing: ask "Is there anything else I should have asked you?" - this gives the interviewee a chance to open out.

6) Make sure you have contact details in case you need to come back to the person.

7) Ask if he has any good photos of himself, preferably in action. Give him your email to send these; ask him to include left-to-right names of anyone in any photo; make sure you have a phone number to ring him back to check captions and facts.