Interviewing is a vital journalistic tool. Use targeted conversations to gather facts and insights while building a reliable network of sources.
By mastering various interview styles – from simple fact-finding to challenging powerful figures – journalists can ensure their reporting is accurate, fair, and engaging for their audience.
This workshop is presented in two formats, both using the same source material from Media Helping Media. The first is a two-hour workshop designed for those who are already familiar with the topic but who would like to deepen their understanding. The second is a four-hour, half-day workshop for those who are new to the topic. Trainers are invited to select and adapt the format that best meets the needs of those they are training.
For the activity sections of the workshop trainers should source locally relevant material when examples of the topic being covered are needed.
The source material for this workshop is introduction to interviews. We suggest trainers circulate the source material to participants BEFORE the workshop to give them enough time to read and digests the concepts discussed.
Workshop outline 1: Two-hour session
09:00 – 09:45: First session – Recognising style and purpose
Aims
To deepen the understanding of different interview types and the ethical responsibilities of a journalist, specifically focusing on impartiality and transparency.
Presentation
The trainer will discuss the various interview types outlined by MHM, from Adversarial to Vox pop. Emphasis will be placed on the three pillars: accuracy, impartiality, and fairness. We will explore how tone changes depending on whether the subject is a powerful official or a random passer-by.
Activity: Interview type carousel
To help recognise and understand different interview types, we will use a live performance exercise.
- Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group is assigned one interview type (e.g., breaking news, adversarial, sensitive, vox pop, celebrity, email). Groups must create a one-minute live scenario demonstrating that interview type without using a script.
- Evaluation: After each scenario, the rest of the class must guess the interview type and explain why based on the tone and questioning style used.
Discussion
Finish with a short discussion on when that interview type would be appropriate in real reporting.
09:45 – 10:00: Break
10:00 – 10:45: Second session – Mastering the fundamentals
Aims
To refine the skill of gathering essential facts efficiently while staying in control of the conversation.
Presentation
Focus on the practical tips from MHM: keeping questions short and ensuring the six basic questions (who, why, where, what, when, and how) are answered.
Activity: Rapid-fire fact finder
This exercise focuses on the journalistic fundamentals of quick, precise questioning.
- Instructions: Pair up. One trainee plays the role of the reporter and has two minutes to gather who, what, where, when, why, and how facts about a simple scenario (e.g., a local festival). The interviewee must only give facts, not opinions. Partners then swap roles with a new scenario.
- Follow-up: Each trainee summarises the key information they gathered in a headline and a sentence summarising their findings.
Discussion
Discuss the challenges of sticking strictly to facts without letting the interviewee’s opinions distract from the core information.
10:45 – 11:00: Final discussion and assignment
A closing session to address any remaining questions and clarify the requirements for the post-workshop assignment (see details below the four hour session)
Workshop outline 2: Four-hour session
09:00 – 10:00: First session – Active listening and observation
Aims
To introduce the primary purpose of interviewing and develop the core skill of listening.
Presentation
Define interviewing as a directed conversation. Introduce the core concepts of accuracy and the importance of being a careful listener to catch unexpected answers or inconsistencies.
Activity: Active listening relay
This activity is designed to enhance your listening skills—a core interviewing essential.
- Instructions: Form groups of three: interviewer, interviewee, and observer. The interviewer asks three questions on a social topic but must not interrupt. The observer watches for: whether the interviewer followed up on interesting points, if questions were short and clear, and how they responded to unexpected answers. Rotate roles so everyone experiences all three.
- Group Debrief: Observers share one strength and one improvement suggestion per interviewer.
Discussion
Why is it tempting to interrupt? Discuss how silence can sometimes encourage an interviewee to say more.
10:00 – 10:15: Break
10:15 – 11:15: Second session – Style and performance
Aims
To recognise and apply different styles of interviewing based on the subject and the interviewee.
Presentation
Detailed look at the ten interview types. Define complex terminology: ‘Adversarial’ (challenging power) and ‘Elucidatory’ (expert explanation).
Activity: Interview type carousel
We will now test your ability to switch between these styles using creative performance.
- Instructions: In small groups, you will be assigned an interview type from the MHM article. You have a few minutes to prepare a one-minute unscripted scenario.
- Challenge: The audience must guess the type of interview. For example, if you are doing a sensitive interview, they should notice your empathetic tone and rapport-building.
- Learning outcome: Helps you distinguish styles and think about the specific purpose behind your tone.
Discussion
Review which styles felt most natural and which required the most effort to perform correctly.
11:15 – 11:30: Break
11:30 – 12:30: Third session – Extracting facts under pressure
Aims
To develop practical skills in speed, factual accuracy, and summarising.
Presentation
Discuss the art of being persistent and the importance of a brief summary that captures the essence of the story.
Activity: Rapid-fire fact finder
In this final exercise, you will practice extracting facts as quickly as possible.
- Instructions: In pairs, you have 2 minutes to interview your partner on a provided scenario (e.g. a school event). You must strictly seek facts – who, what, where, when, why, and how.
- The Task: After the timer stops, you must immediately write a headline and a one-sentence summary of the event based only on the facts gathered.
- Learning outcome: Strengthens the ability to identify essential information and ignore distractions.
Discussion
How does time pressure change the way you ask questions? Discuss the importance of not missing the ‘why’ and ‘how’ in the rush for ‘what’ and ‘where’.
12:30 – 13:00: Final discussion and assignment
A wrap-up session to review the day’s learning and distribute the final assignment instructions.
Assignment
This assignment is for both the two-hour and four-hour sessions.
Participants must conduct a three-minute interview with a local person (or a peer acting as a specific source). They must submit a written transcript that identifies the interview type used and lists the six basic questions (who, what, where, when, why, how) they successfully answered during the conversation.
Materials needed for the workshop
- Printed copies of the MHM articles: Introduction to interviews. and ‘The questions every journalist should ask‘.
- List of scenarios for the fact finder activity (e.g., market fire, new health clinic, community sports day).
- Prepared list of social interest questions for the active listening relay exercise.
Assessment
Trainers will assess participants based on their ability to listen without interrupting, their success in identifying interview styles during the carousel, and the clarity of their summaries for the stories covered.
Related material
