Sophomores- Oral History Guidelines

Requirements: List of questions and three interviews for the oral history project. The permission slip for each interview is also required.

Due Dates:     Questions- Due Tues, March 27^th

Interviews 1 AND 2- Wed, April 18^th  

                        Interview 3- Due Mon, April 30^th   

                        Final Paper (Guidelines to be given at a later date)- Due Mon, May 21^st

Format:

Questions

-          Develop a list of 15 interview questions about your topic. The questions must be typed and numbered.  Type the paper in MLA format.

-          Your first several questions should be the basic “w” questions (in what state were you living, what age, what were you doing, etc)

-          When thinking about questions to ask, remember you are re-telling the individual’s story. You want to get as much detail as possible from your questions.

-          Use your 2 paragraph research paper to help you get ideas.

-          Use open-ended questions, not questions that can be answered in only a few words.

o   Example: The 2^nd question below is better than the 1^st question.

§  Mrs. Delle Cave, were you scared when 9/11 happened?

§  Mrs. Delle Cave, describe your thoughts, feelings, and motions after 9/11 happened.

Interview Guidelines

-          Use your interview questions from to conduct the interviews. Note: you may add/delete some questions depending on your interviewee.

-          Take notes when you are conducting the interview.  Use follow-up questions when necessary. (example: Can you please explain…)

-          Head the paper in MLA format.

-          At the top of your paper put the full name of the person you are interviewing, the age, their relation to you, and the date of the interview.

-          Type the interview question and the answer under each question. You may answer in the person’s perspective for now. (1^st person)

-          DETAIL is very important.

-          Review the interview guidelines on the back of the paper

Value: 20 points each interview

Interview Guidelines:

1. Schedule a time in advance. This gives everyone a chance to prepare.

2. Prepare a list of questions beforehand and either share them with your relative, or give

them an idea of what you want to cover.

3. Bring several notepads and pens to the interview.

4. Take good notes and make sure you record your name, the date, the place the interview

is being conducted and the interviewee.

5. Start with a question or topic that you know will elicit a reply, such as a story you have

heard her tell in the past.

6. Ask questions which encourage more than simple 'yes' or 'no' answers. Try to elicit

facts, feelings, stories and descriptions. Get as much detail as possible. Use follow-up questions when necessary. Ask for specific examples if the interviewee makes a general statement and you need to know more. Or you might say, "I don't understand. Could you explain that in more detail?"

7. Show interest. Take an active part in the dialogue without dominating it. Learn to be a

creative listener.

8. Use props whenever possible. Old photographs, favorite old songs and treasured items

may bring memories flooding back.

9. Don't push for answers. Your relative may not wish to speak ill of the dead or may

have other reasons for not wanting to share. Move on to something else.

10. Use your prepared questions as a guideline, but don't be afraid to let your relative go

off on a tangent. They may have many things to say that you never thought to ask!

11. Don't interrupt or attempt to correct your interviewee; this can end an interview in a

hurry!

12. When you are done, be sure to thank your interviewee for his or her time.