| Thank you to The History Channel and
the WWII Memorial Fund for creating the foundation for learning the interview process and
writing good interview questions.
Part 1: Writing Interview Questions Over the last two months you have learned a lot about World War II. You will need this background information to write questions to ask your veteran. Your interview should begin with memory questions. First, memory questions should help relax your subject and get them in the mood to reminisce. Second, these questions will help you gather information about your subject’s experiences in the war. You should politely discourage attempts by the veteran to recite a text book version of the events of WWII. The lectures from the EL class should have provided you with a general understanding of the war. You want your interviewee to provide personal stories, sad and funny memories that you will not find in a textbook. Memory questions are the 5 "W" questions. Use the attached pages to write your Memory Questions. Your Job is to Record and Interpret History Writing Additional Questions In order to learn as much as possible from the interview experience you should write several questions that will encourage your subject to expand and explain their feelings and ideas. The second stage of the questions should encourage your subject to dig deeper into the stories to explain why things happened and how they relate to other events. You need to remember to ask these questions when you are interviewing the veteran so he/she will tell you more about their experiences. Below are some questions to get you started. Use the attached pages to write your Explanation Questions. Explanation Questions? Judgement Questions The last group of questions should offer your subject a chance to talk about the "big picture" by telling about what was good or bad, important or less important. These questions should be given last because they allow the interview subject a chance to sum up and make conclusions. Remember that this is your subject’s opportunity to give his/her own opinion—you may or may not agree with the conclusions. Below are some questions to get you started. Use the attached pages to write your Judgement Questions. Judgement Questions What was the happiest (funniest or saddest) memory? What was your biggest accomplishment? What actions would you change if you had a chance to relieve those years again? What mistakes did people make in WWII? What should people today remember about WWII?
MEMORY + EXPLANATION + JUDGEMENT = SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW
Even with the best efforts some people need some extra questions to encourage them to tell the full story. Don’t be afraid to ask for details or explanations. Back up questions
Part 2: Conducting the Interview Let your interview subject know that this is an important project and that you are very interested in his or her personal experiences in World War II. Treat the interview as serious work. After you ask a question, wait respectfully for an answer. (Don’t be afraid of silence, it may take your subject a moment or two to compose an answer) Look directly at the person you are interviewing. Nod and smile to show you are listening and understand the story. If the subject says something you don’t understand feel free to ask for clarification. Remember it is your job to get this story. No one else will talk to this person and this is your only chance to do it right!! World War II veterans will not live forever. You will record this person’s stories for their family and all humankind to share.Part 3: Interview Tips
Interview Skill: If you find that your interview subject needs to be reassured that you are listening and understand his or her story, try to paraphrase (repeat in your own words) and important part of the interview. This will let the storytellers know that you are connecting with them and their stories. Thanks for visiting! Do you have any questions?
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