Issue and Answers
Where we pick an important topic and hear from a professional in the field.
TOPIC: What are some tips for helping shy students overcome their fear of interviewing?
By Jack Kennedy
Some of the best student journalists I have ever worked with are shy. But that doesn’t mean they are not bright, creative, hardworking, etc. In fact, shyness may be the manifestation of being self-aware.
The first thing to emphasize with kids is that they are not alone when they feel a bit unsure of themselves. Stage actors often claim to be shy, but find that the environment of the stage allows them to get outside themselves for a bit. Many athletes get so nervous before a game that they must throw up before heading to the court or field.
Second, studies have shown consistently that people actually enjoy being interviewed. Nearly 80 percent of interview subjects reported – in a study I have lost – that they would like to be interviewed again, even if they claim some of their quotes are wrong. So, I like to remind students that the act of interviewing is usually not a burden for the subject.
Third, shy interviewers must have a series of questions planned in advance – sort of a home base – to which they can return when flustered or lost. “Why do you say that?” and “Could you give me an example?” are key questions for any interview. Having the right “tools” is key for any reporter, but particularly so for those especially shy journalists.
Fourth, I emphasize that the best interviews are not fact-based “grillings,” but rather are in-depth conversations, and that it is not necessary to scribble down each and every thing that is said. I think lots of reporters feel awkward trying to conduct a conversation while taking notes. I try to teach minimal note-taking, seeking permission to revisit the most interesting things (“Could you repeat that last thing you said? I want to make sure I got that right.”), and sitting down immediately after the interview to flesh out the notes while lots of information is in short-term memory.
Fifth, I ask young reporters about how many times a day they are asked questions to which the questioner honestly wants an original answer. When Mom asks if your room is clean, she likely already knows the answer. When a teacher asks questions about the geometry problem, there is clearly a set of “right” answers. But in an interview, there is no set of “correct” answers. And interview subjects enjoy that. Actually, a shy reporter likely appreciates someone genuinely caring about what she has to say more than most.
Finally, a shy reporter simply needs support and a firm push (from an adviser or an editor). One successful, short interview experience can build into a longer one, and a more complex story. I’m not sure we ever really get over our shyness, but experience tells us that we can get the job done, and that after all, the interview is not about us.
Jack Kennedy is vice president of the Journalism Education Association and newspaper adviser at Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo. He can be reached at jack.kennedy@dscdk12.org .
