For beginning and experienced writers.
Genre: Nonfiction – Writing History (family, town, church, organization, military, events)
ISSUE FIVE: Five Tips for a Productive Group Interview
Issue 4 discussed tips for conducting interviews for your story. Group interviews take a little different approach which can pay big dividends in information as the members of the group stimulate the memories of others. Capture all the information on video and voice recordings. Keep a notepad handy to jot down spellings of names or to note additional questions that occur to you during the interview.
1. Invite a small, select group of people who are knowledgeable about your subject. Too large a group may not allow each person to speak and tell his/her story. You also don’t want people talking at the same time which can more easily happen with a large group.
2. Tell interviewees in advance the kinds of questions you plan to ask especially if you are covering a controversial topic. Ask them to check dates or names you have been unable to verify.
3. Video the interview, if possible. A simple voice recorder may not be able to distinguish the person speaking. The local historical association may be interested in helping you set this up as part of their oral history program. Ask a staff person, familiar with the equipment, to run the video allowing you to concentrate on the interview.
4. Keep control of the interview as participants may start to wander off the subject. However, don’t be too quick to bring the subject back as you may discover an entire area of new information.
5. Take a picture of the group. Identify each member of the group with correct spellings and contact information. Ask each person to sign a release form to use the material and possibly the picture in the final published product.
Based on Write History Right by M. H. Collins, Copyright 2007, CHS Publishing Company
ISSUE SIX: Write Family History
How to Write Local & Regional History 