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Interview Techniques PT

The document discusses different styles of interviews including hard news, combative, light-hearted, entertainment, investigative, and promotional. It provides details on what defines a light-hearted interview and an investigative interview. The document also offers tips for conducting a combative interview, including using a formal environment, challenging body language, and reference to evidence when questioning the interviewee.

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4K views

Interview Techniques PT

The document discusses different styles of interviews including hard news, combative, light-hearted, entertainment, investigative, and promotional. It provides details on what defines a light-hearted interview and an investigative interview. The document also offers tips for conducting a combative interview, including using a formal environment, challenging body language, and reference to evidence when questioning the interviewee.

Uploaded by

api-394443105
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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01

Interview

Interview Techniques
Techniques
Pt.1
A good
documentary interviewer
knows to let answers
breathe and develop.
People talk and think at
different paces and speeds
Styles of Interview
1. Hard news: 
2. Combative: 
3. Light-hearted: 
4. Entertainment: 
5. Investigative: 
6. Promotional: 
Styles of Interview
1. Hard news: an interview about a hard hitting news story that is featured in news
content
2. Combative: an often very heated interview which can include in depth debate about a
topic
3. Light-hearted: A light hearted style of interview is an interview that is done in a
relaxed and casual manner
4. Entertainment: An interview which is conducted for entertainment purposes 
5. Investigative: An interview which deeply investigates a specific topic such as serious
crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing
6. Promotional: An interview that’s purpose is to promote a product, service or individual
Light-hearted
What makes an interview light-hearted?

Environment
Mise-en-scene
Body language
Style of questioning
- conversational
Rapport
Topic of interview
Investigative

Challenging questions
Often in a formal environment
Answers of interviewee are
challenged
Facts and information are often
quoted by journalist
Tone of journalist's voice is often
very serious and even aggressive
Little to no positive rapport 
Closed body language
Clear structure to the interview
Can be a longer duration
Combative

Formal environment
Challenging & authoritative body
language
Very structured interview which often
can become chaotic when conflict
appears
Raised voices
Challenging, controversial questions
Interviewee held to account
Reference to real evidence - facts and
figures
Reference to case studies linked to
topic of interview
Putting it into practice
Imagine you are working as a journalist on Good Morning Britain...

Boris Johnson has finally agreed to be interviewed


about his handling of the current pandemic...

Plan out 5-10 questions you would ask him so that he


is prompted to explain the reasons behind his recent
decisions and actions in response to Covid-19

Your goal is to hold him to account


Think about:
- What statistics/information you may need to research in preparation for the interview
-  The structure of your questions - how are you going to start the interview? what are
your key questions? what note do you want to end the interview on?
- How you would set up the interview if it were in recorded in a studio environment
Useful Resources:

Types of Questions for Interviews

Tricks & Tips for Journalists

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