The Interviewer's Handbook: A Guerilla Guide: Techniques & Tactics for Reporters & Writers

Brady, John Joseph

ISBN 10: 0871162059 / ISBN 13: 9780871162052

Published by Kalmbach Pub Co, 2004

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Interviewer's Handbook: A Guerilla Guide: Techniques & Tactics for Reporters & Writers
• Publisher: Kalmbach Pub Co
• Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0871162059
• ISBN 13: 9780871162052
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

The Interviewer's Handbook provides a thorough discussion of techniques, methods, and tips for conducting a journalistic interview. It includes many of the scenarios in which journalists find themselves in the process of conducting their work, including hostile interview subjects, elusive and deceptive subjects, using email for the interview, getting answers to difficult questions, and dealing with public relations intermediaries. It provides essential advice for journalists of all skill levels, and is a practical and insightful reference for anyone conducting interviews.

Reviews

In this helpful and insightful guidebook to interviewing, Brady (The Craft of Interviewing) offers advice to writers, journalists and reporters: "Interviews are to reporting what verbs are to sentences. … No verb, no sentence. Likewise, no interviews, no story." His advice is sound and his tone respectful to both writers and interview subjects. He begins his book with anecdotes about the first step of the interview—getting the subjects to agree to one. In one instance, a reporter on the verge of giving up reaching his subject got his female assistant on the phone to call the subject. When the subject’s secretary answered, the writer’s assistant said she was the subject’s girlfriend. The boss got on the phone and did not hang up. While this anecdote involves a sneaky approach, Brady’s recommendations are not always guerrilla-inspired. He encourages interviewers to be clear about what they are writing, and to be courteous to anyone who answers the phone. From there, Brady encourages readers to overcome rejection—and to work around the subject if need be. In his chapter "Say for Pay," he tackles such controversial issues as paying interviewees for talking. In all, this is a solid volume for any young or inexperienced reporter.
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