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The Communicator · № 08

Interviewed Someone

Conducted a recorded 30-minute interview with an adult you don't know well, prepared questions in advance, and produced something from it (article, video, podcast episode).

The idea

Prepare the questions, then mostly don't use them. The best questions come from the surprising part of the previous answer. Have your kid practice listening for that and asking about it. Teen interviewers run through their list and get textbook answers. The good ones follow the thread and get the actual story. The prepared questions are scaffolding. Throw them out when you find the thread.

Steps
  1. Pick a real subject. Adult, not close family.
  2. Prepare 5-10 questions as scaffolding only.
  3. Record a 30-minute interview.
  4. Produce something from it: article, video, episode.
What counts

A recorded 30-minute interview turned into a finished piece. The piece is plenty.