Questions? Please contact the Central Florida WW2 Museum:
Phone: (813) 504-3826
Email: vhp@cfloridaww2museum.org
Email: vhp@cfloridaww2museum.org
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| THE VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT |
| Preserving the Past for Our Future |
Interview Tips & Resources
Also: Suggested Questions Research Sources
Prepare for the Interview
1. Complete the Biographical Data Form with the veteran to
identify possible interview questions.
2. Prepare questions before the interview; write them down.
- Conduct a pre-interview with the veteran or civilian, if
possible.
3. Use the highest quality video or audio recorder and
microphone(s) you can.
- Digital video recordings are preferred
- Use external microphones (if available)
- Do not use extended time speeds on recorders
4. Become familiar with your recording equipment and test it
before you begin the interview.
5. 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
6. Be sure the questions and answers are recorded.
7. 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
8. On audio interviews:
- Use and external microphone
- Position the microphone 9 inches from the interviewee (or
as directed by the manufacturer)
- Use a microphone stand
- Be sure the tape has started recording before you start speaking!
identify possible interview questions.
2. Prepare questions before the interview; write them down.
- Conduct a pre-interview with the veteran or civilian, if
possible.
3. Use the highest quality video or audio recorder and
microphone(s) you can.
- Digital video recordings are preferred
- Use external microphones (if available)
- Do not use extended time speeds on recorders
4. Become familiar with your recording equipment and test it
before you begin the interview.
5. 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
6. Be sure the questions and answers are recorded.
7. 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
8. On audio interviews:
- Use and external microphone
- Position the microphone 9 inches from the interviewee (or
as directed by the manufacturer)
- Use a microphone stand
- Be sure the tape has started recording before you start speaking!
Conducting the Interview
1. 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 are working with - the Central Florida WW2 Museum
If interviewing a veteran:
- War (World War II) 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 (lived)
For example: Today is Friday, June 7, 2007 and we are interviewing John Smith at his
home. Mr. Smith is 86 years old, having been born on November 23, 1921. 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]
2. 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 multi-part 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 answering one question.
- Use follow-up questions to elicit more details form the interviewee. Examples include:
When did that happen? Did that happen to you? What do 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 the subject than you do.
- 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 are working with - the Central Florida WW2 Museum
If interviewing a veteran:
- War (World War II) 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 (lived)
For example: Today is Friday, June 7, 2007 and we are interviewing John Smith at his
home. Mr. Smith is 86 years old, having been born on November 23, 1921. 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]
2. 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 multi-part 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 answering one question.
- Use follow-up questions to elicit more details form the interviewee. Examples include:
When did that happen? Did that happen to you? What do 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 the subject than you do.
