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How to Write an Interview with an Expert

HOW TO WRITE UP AN INTERVIEW WITH AN EXPERT
 
An interview is usually conducted with someone considered to be an expert in a particular field. This person is generally a doctor or educated professional who has researched the topic for many years. 
 
Your interview should ask many questions that vary in range from personal questions of the interviewee (ex. How did you first become interested in childhood obesity?) to content or factual questions (ex. Why do you think Canada has the highest rate of childhood obesity in the world?) to solutions (ex. How can we reduce childhood obesity?) and predictions for the future (ex. What problems can our country expect if we do not start slimming our children?).
 
Step One:
In a brief paragraph outline who you interviewed, the expert’s educational and professional background that justifies s/he being an expert, as well as the setting and your personal feelings about conducting the interview. 
 
Step Two:
Format your article as a series of questions and answers as per the following:
 
  1. Are you nervous talking about your recent divorce, Tom Cruise?
  1. Absolutely not! (laughing) I’m happy to finally be free of that girl!
  1. You seem surprisingly delighted! I always thought divorce was a sad event.
  1. Sometimes divorce can be a problem and a tragic event, but in my case, divorce has been liberating and even joyful. It’s what is best for the two of us.
 
Step Three:
Write a brief paragraph describing how the interview ended and your final thoughts and feelings about the expert.
 
Step Four:
Check out the interview with Julia Roberts at http://www.rd.com/content/julia-roberts-interview/ as a sample guideline.
 
 
INTERVIEW WITH AN EXPERT CHECKLIST
 
 
  •                     Introduction paragraph is brief (5 – 7 sentences)
  •                     Introduction paragraph outlines:
  • name of expert
  • his/her educational and professional background
  • setting of the interview
  • your feelings about conducting the interview
  •                     Interview uses Q&A format correctly
  •                     Interview asks some personal interest questions to help the readers warm up to and like the expert
  •                     Interview asks many content or factual questions on the expert topic
  •                     Interview asks for solutions to the problem
  •                     Interview asks for some predictions for the future
  •                     Interview concludes with brief paragraph that outlines how the interview ended and your thoughts and feelings on the expert
  •                     Spelling and grammar
  •  writing style uses appropriate vocabulary, warm and likeable tone, uses a variety of types of sentences, no run-on sentences or awkward phrasing, sentences consistently make sense, no use of slang or contractions
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