Journalist's Interview Prep Brief and Question Guide

What a good one includes

• A concise dossier of the subject's background, recent public statements, and any existing media narratives to avoid repeating well-trodden ground.
• Three distinct strategic angles or thematic threads that align the interview with the larger goals of your publication or project.
• A structured progression of icebreakers, core investigative questions, and high-impact closing prompts designed to build rapport and emotional resonance.
• Specific, tailored follow-up prompts and active listening cues to deploy when a subject gives an evasive or rehearsed response.
• A section on potential landmines or sensitive topics to navigate carefully, complete with phrasing suggestions that maintain trust.
• Logistical guidelines including ideal pacing, time allocation per topic segment, and a checklist of necessary recording and backup equipment.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Asking overly broad or easily-googled background questions that waste valuable face-to-face time and signal a lack of preparation to your subject.
• Sticking rigidly to the pre-written question list instead of actively listening and pursuing unexpected, highly compelling tangents.
• Failing to prepare for defensive reactions, leaving the interviewer flat-footed when a subject avoids a sensitive but crucial line of inquiry.
• Pitching leading or multi-part questions that confuse the subject and result in diluted, unusable soundbites.

Frequently asked questions