An interview is a structured dialogue between two people. One person responds to the questions of the other, and in the process, gives relevant information. An individual may also be interviewed by a panel.
Interviews
- A format will be question and answer.
- The speaker's name, followed by a colon, is written on the left-hand side of the page.
Image credit - As in all dialogues, direct speech is written without inverted commas.
- Because of the personal nature of the interview, the first person (I, my) will usually be used.
Image credit
Jack: When did you arrive in Zambia?
Norman: I arrived yesterday. - In the introduction, the interviewer often supplies background information about the person he/she is interviewing.
Image credit - In the body the interviewer asks relevant questions about a topic and the person interviewed to respond to these.
Questions and Responses
- It is important for the questioner to appear knowledgeable and the questions, therefore, need careful and intelligent preparation.
Image credit - Questions should be well-structured in order to gain detailed information or opinions from the interviewee.
- It is helpful to use the questions as if they were topic sentences, and the responses as if they were the body paragraphs.
Image credit - Questions may be linked to the previous answer.
- Questions and answers should appear to be spontaneous.
- Responses should be substantiated with facts and/or opinions.
Image credit - The tone and language will depend on the relationship between the speakers and the topic of conversation.
- Technical words/jargon may be appropriate.
Source: EBH Joubert. English Grammar: In Writing
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