I am in the beginning stages of the preparation process for my fall classes at Rider University (COM106 Writing for the Communication Professions and COM107 Persuasive Writing for the Media) and I came across a video on YouTube — an interview of Katie Couric offering her advice on what makes a good interview. (Watch the video by clicking here.) Katie’s comments back up what I tell my students when we’re learning how to interview people to obtain good quotes and information for our writing projects:

• Prepare your interview questions in advance and try to anticipate responses to help you predict and prepare your follow-up questions.
• Make your subjects feel comfortable when they’re talking with you — you’re guaranteed to get better answers when they’re more relaxed.
  
• Listen when interviewees respond to your questions and be able to pick up on important points to emphasize or expand upon.

In my classes, we’re learning how to write feature articles and news releases, but good interviewing skills are universal and they’re needed for all types of writing projects. Do you have any tips or techniques that you can share with us? Please post your comments here.

Thanks for reading this post and, until next time, take care!

Kathy Magrino

It’s been over a month since my last blog post — my blog definitely fails my own blog “fitness” test, at least as far as the “T – timing” goes! (Check out Is Your Blog F.I.T. to see for yourself.)

So much has been happening over the last month: summer session classes ended; the little league baseball season went into the championship games and day-after-day tournament games for my son’s team; new business has been streaming in (thankfully!); and summer distractions (the beach and sunshine, etc.) seem to abound.

Over the next few weeks, I’m taking my time getting things done. I know that the hectic pace of the fall will be here all too soon. I know that my blog will be here ready for the next post whenever I’m ready to write it. I hope you’ll be here, too!

Until next time, I hope you’ll take your time getting your things done, too!

Kathy Magrino