Interview

Interview

Interviews are the most common method of obtaining information, which is used by journalists in all countries of the world. Due to such qualities as the direct speech of the source, the interactive mode of transmitting information, the possibility of using elements of dramaturgy, ease of perception, the interview has long been included in the palette of journalistic genres. It is used by professionals as the most popular format for print media, radio and television broadcasts.

A journalistic interview is, by its nature, a phenomenon of special social significance. Interlocutors - a journalist (interviewer) and his partner (interviewee) - participate in the information exchange for information saturation of the main participant in communication - the audience.

There are different types of interviews that influence the development of strategic plans, determine the nature of preliminary preparation, determine the behavior of a journalist and an interlocutor, as well as a specific technology for conducting a conversation.

An informational interview is the most popular type, aimed at collecting material for news (covering events of national importance, disasters, etc.). Due to strict time standards, this interview is characterized by a very dynamic pace. However, despite the time constraints, the spirit of dialogue and respect for the interlocutor, the creation of conditions for a response must be created.

An operational interview is a kind of informational, only in an even more concise version. It represents the statements of experts, specialists in any field on very specific occasions and is an obligatory component of press news materials, radio or television information plots.

Blitz poll (survey on the street) - sets itself the goal of collecting different opinions on a specific issue. A characteristic feature of such interviews is the posing of the same, fixed questions to as many respondents as possible, representatives of one or, conversely, different social groups.

An investigative interview is conducted with the aim of in-depth study of an event or problem. As a rule, it is organized in detail and is not strictly bound by time constraints, although there are calendar plans here too. The subject of investigation can be complex and controversial. Much attention should be paid to goal setting and preliminary work with materials, the study of written sources and oral evidence, the conversation strategy. Questions are the most important part. However, other elements of communication must also be considered, such as first contact, non-verbal forms of communication, and the ability to listen. An investigative interview may involve several characters with different temperaments and social roles. Moreover, an individual approach must be found for each of them.

Interview-portrait - focused on one hero, however, in order to prepare, it is advisable to hold more than one meeting with people who are interested, close, or, conversely, with outside observers. The hero of such an interview can be a person who has proven himself in any area of public life and attracts the interest of the general public. Less common are portrait interviews with the so-called "ordinary people", who must show themselves in some way or be very typical. The details of everyday life, interior, clothing, the features of the hero’s speech also bear a heavy load - in a word, that which forms the individuality and must certainly be conveyed to the reader. The portrait interview is one of the most popular genres in newspaper periodicals.

Event portrait interview - based on any fact or episode from the life of the hero; the purpose of this interview is to inform the public about certain acts of a person; Typically, publications of this kind are built around the coverage of a life episode, which adds new colors to the palette of a portrait of a famous person. Due to the fact that such materials are not large in volume, biographical data remains an obligatory element, which, on the one hand, can remind readers of the main milestones from the fate of the hero, on the other hand, can be successfully played up under the main idea of the material.

Biographical portrait interview, the main task of which is to create a holistic image of a person by clarifying the most significant facts and episodes of the biography that most influenced his fate; in its structure, it is very complex, as it requires a deep penetration into the inner world of the hero.

A political portrait interview based on the confessions and statements of famous politicians about their political preferences and views, as well as their understanding of their own political career.

The work on the interview can be decomposed into three successive stages:

1. preparation;
2. conducting;
3. completion.

At the first stage, which precedes the course of the conversation, very important work is carried out to plan the interview, its goals are determined, information resources are studied, the first contact with the interlocutor is made, the time and place of the meeting are appointed, possible risks, conversation strategies and the main topic of the question are thought out.

After the preparatory phase, which includes determining the objectives of the interview, conducting a preliminary investigation, scheduling a meeting and developing a strategy, you can proceed to the interview. In the most general sense, it is a conversation between two or more people in order to obtain new information. However, this is not an ordinary conversation that forms everyday interpersonal communications, but a conversation that is built according to the rules of professional journalistic communication. The interview takes place in a question-answer form, when the journalist asks and the interlocutor answers. The success of the interview depends on how professionally the questions are asked and how fully they are answered.

It is strategically correct not only to start, but also to finish the interview on time. Accuracy and punctuality are essential to making a favorable impression of a reporter. It is unacceptable to be late for an interview, but it is equally bad to delay the interlocutor beyond the time agreed in advance. It is quite difficult to plan in advance how to end the interview. Ideally, this happens naturally when both the reporter and the interviewee come to the mutual conclusion that all questions have been exhausted. After the interview is over, the interlocutor should have a desire to communicate with the correspondent again.