Oral History Interview & Importance Part 12

How to Start an Interview

Hamid Qazvini
Translated by Natalie Haghverdian

2017-7-12

A good and coordinated start is a must for an interview. It is not far from logic to say that this step is the cornerstone and any negligence and default will result in a weak and inconsistent content which is of no use.

Undoubtedly, having a written checklist of things to be done is an effective and reassuring step which will help to avoid oblivion or negligence. Also, practicing the opening phase of an interview reinforces dominance and self-confidence of the interviewer and prepares him/her for the task ahead.

At the start, prior to the interview, efforts have to be made to eliminate disrupting noises and turning off the cellphones; request has to be made to others to observe silence; make sure of the proper function of the equipment; having the questionnaire readily available and review of the points that an oral history scholar has to take into consideration.

On the other hand it is essential to state the name of the narrator, the date, location, session number and time at the beginning of the audio recording at the beginning of the interview. By the end, it should be stated that the interview session is adjourned. This shall be done in every session.

The most important point is the method of asking questions.

A: Introduction

Normally the introduction and preliminary definitions are of vital importance. Any reverse conclusion shall be avoided. In some cases, discussion of some concepts might affect the mentality of the narrator or annoy him/her.

Years back I heard from an individual active in the field of oral history of his experience: “Once, I managed to convince an air force soldier to conduct an interview since he was involved in many important war operations. At the beginning of the session I recited a verse of the Holy Quran on Jihad but the concept of that verse concerned those who fled the war and the ominous fate they suffered. Once the verse was over the narrator asked: “What is the occasion of this verse? Are we talking about those who fled the war? Am I one? It was then that I realized what I had done.”

B: Preliminary Questions

The questions shall not be in an interrogation tone and hence create fear and anxiety in the narrator. Key questions shall even be avoided at the beginning of the interview. These questions shall be asked gradually and step by step in reference to the key concepts and the subjective background created in the mind of the narrator.

The preliminary questions shall entail the biography of the narrator to record basic information and then review the childhood memories and follow the process of his transformation (which is sweet and memorable) and to entice the narrator to continue the interview and provide more information in answering the next questions.

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 1 - Oral History, Path to Cultural Dialogue

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 2 - Characteristics of an Interviewer

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 3 - Selecting a Subject

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 4 - Narrator Identification & Selection

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 5 - Goal Setting

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 6 - Importance of Pre-interview Data Collection

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 7 - To Schedule & Coordinate an Interview

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 8 - Required Equipment & Accessories

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 9 - Presentation is vital

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 10 - Interview Room

Oral History Interview & Importance Part 11 - Pre-interview Justifications