ps Our first quiz of the second half will be on Feb 2...Lincoln Day Feb 9 - Details to come...
Interview Tips & Resources
Also: Suggested Questions | Research Sources
Prepare for the Interview
- Complete the Biographical Data Form with the veteran to identify possible interview questions.
- Prepare questions before the interview; write them down.
- Conduct a pre-interview with the veteran or civilian, if possible.
- Use the highest quality video or audio recorder and microphone(s) you can.
- Digital and Hi-8 video recordings are preferred
- Use external microphones
- Do not use extended time speeds on recorders
- Do not use microcassettes
- Become familiar with your recording equipment and test it before you begin the interview.
- Interview in a quiet, well-lit room and avoid noise from:
- Fluorescent lights
- chiming clocks
- heating and cooling systems
- ringing telephones and televisions
- other conversations
- Be sure the questions and answers are recorded.
- On video interviews:
- Mount the camera on a tripod
- Position the camera a few feet from your interviewee
- Focus on the interviewee's face, upper body, and hands
- Avoid using the zoom feature
- On audio interviews:
- Use an external microphone
- Position the microphone 9 inches from the interviewee.
- Use a microphone stand
- Be sure the tape has started recording before you start speaking!
TOP OF PAGE Conducting the Interview
- State at the beginning of the interview:
- Date and place of the interview
- Name of the person being interviewed
- Interviewee's birth date
- Names of the people attending the interview (including the interviewer and camera operators)
- The organization you're working with, if any<
- If interviewing a veteran:
- War and branch of service
- What his or her rank was
- Where he or she served
- If interviewing a civilian:
- What type of work he or she performed
- Where he or she served
- What war he or she served during
For example: Today is Friday, June 7, 2003 and we are interviewing John Smith at his home. Mr. Smith is 78 years old, having been born on November 23, 1923. My name is Jane Doe and I'll be the interviewer. John Smith is my uncle. He is my mother's brother. Uncle John, could you state for the recording what war and branch of service you served in? [pause for answer] What was your rank? [pause for answer] Where did you serve? [pause for answer]
- Other tips for making a great interview:
- Keep the tape recorder or video camera running throughout the interview, unless you are asked to turn it off by the interviewee. Never record secretly.
- Keep your questions short. Avoid complicated, multipart questions.
- Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Ask "how, when, and why" questions instead.
- Keep your opinions out of the interview, and don't ask leading questions that suggest answers.
- Encourage the interviewee with nods of the head rather than audible responses such as "yes" or "uh huh" that will be recorded.
- Don't begin the interview with questions about painful or controversial topics.
- Be patient and give the veteran time to reflect before going on to a new question. Many people take short reflective breaks in the course of ansering one question.
- Use follow-up questions to elicit more details from the interviewee. Examples include: When did that happen? Did that happen to you? What did you think about that? What are the steps in doing that?
- Consider asking the interviewee to show you photographs, commendations, and personal letters as a way of enhancing the interview. Such documents often encourage memories and provoke interesting stories.
- Be yourself. Don't pretend to know more about a subject than you do.
Suggested Questions for Veterans
Questions for Civilians are also available.
Segment 1: For the Record:
State at the beginning of the interview:
- Date and place of the interview
- Name of the person being interviewed
- Interviewee's birth date
- Names of the people attending the interview (including the interviewer and camera operators)
- The organization you're working with, if any
- If interviewing a veteran:
- War and branch of service
- What his or her rank was
- Where he or she served
- If interviewing a civilian:
- What type of work he or she performed
- Where he or she served
- What war he or she served during
Segment 2: Jogging Memory:
Were you drafted or did you enlist?
Where were you living at the time?
Why did you join?
Why did you pick the service branch you joined?
Do you recall your first days in service?
What did it feel like?
Tell me about your boot camp/training experience(s).
Do you remember your instructors?
How did you get through it?
Segment 3: Experiences:
Which war(s) did you serve in (WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf)?
Where exactly did you go?
Do you remember arriving and what it was like?
What was your job/assignment?
Did you see combat?
Were there many casualties in your unit?
Tell me about a couple of your most memorable experiences.
Were you a prisoner of war?
Tell me about your experiences in captivity and when freed.
Were you awarded any medals or citations?
How did you get them?
Higher ranks may be asked about battle planning. Those who sustained injuries may be asked about the circumstances.
Segment 4: Life:
Ask questions about life in the service and/or at the front or under fire.
How did you stay in touch with your family?
What was the food like?
Did you have plenty of supplies?
Did you feel pressure or stress?
Was there something special you did for "good luck"?
How did people entertain themselves?
Were there entertainers?
What did you do when on leave?
Where did you travel while in the service?
Do you recall any particularly humorous or unusual event?
What were some of the pranks that you or others would pull?
Do you have photographs?
Who are the people in the photographs?
What did you think of officers or fellow soldiers?
Did you keep a personal diary?
Segment 5: After Service:
Appropriateness of questions will vary if the veteran had a military career.
Do you recall the day your service ended?
Where were you?
What did you do in the days and weeks afterward?
Did you work or go back to school?
Was your education supported by the G.I. Bill?
Did you make any close friendships while in the service?
Did you continue any of those relationships?
For how long?
Did you join a veterans organization?
Segment 6: Later Years and Closing:
What did you go on to do as a career after the war?
Did your military experience influence your thinking about war or about the military in general?
If in a veterans organization, what kinds of activities does your post or association have?
Do you attend reunions?
How did your service and experiences affect your life?
Is there anything you would like to add that we have not covered in this interview?
Field Kit:
http://www.loc.gov/vets/pdf/fieldkit-2008.pdf
Experiencing War section:
http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/
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