Writing an interview essay can seem like an intimidating task, but with the right preparation and structure, you can write an effective piece that showcases what you learned from your interview subject. In this article, we will go over tips for every step of writing an interview essay, from selecting an appropriate person to interview, to conducting the interview, organizing your notes, and drafting and revising your essay.
Choose the Right Interview Subject
The person you choose to interview will have a huge impact on the quality of information and insights contained in your essay. When selecting a subject, consider people who have firsthand experience and expertise related to your essay topic or assignment guidelines. An ideal subject will be able to provide personal anecdotes, lessons learned, professional insights, and thoughtful responses to your questions. Unless instructed otherwise, select someone you can interview in-person when possible, as it allows for a more natural conversation compared to an email or phone interview. Get permission from potential interview subjects before scheduling to ensure they are available and willing. Provide an overview of your essay topic so they understand how their responses may be used.
Prepare Thorough Questions
Developing a list of thoughtful, open-ended questions ahead of time will help you have a productive interview and get the most useful information. Your questions should delve deeper than just facts—aim to learn opinions, stories, and nuanced perspectives your subject can provide based on their experiences. Have a mix of introductory questions to break the ice as well as more in-depth, follow up questions. Try testing your questions out on peers or tutors to get feedback on how to refine them. Bring extra paper to the interview to take thorough notes on the responses. Consider recording the interview with permission for accuracy when transcribing later.
Organize and Analyze Notes
After the interview, take time to organize your notes into a readable format with clear quotes and summaries. You may want to transcribe recorded portions verbatim. Look for common themes, stories, or opinions that emerged across different questions. Mark insightful quotes you’d like to weave into your essay. Analyze how your subject’s responses relate to or differ from the existing research on your topic found in your background research. Their “personal truths” or experiential knowledge provides a human component to complement academic theories and facts.
Draft with a Clear Structure
Most interview essays follow a basic introduction, body, conclusion structure. The introduction should provide context on your topic and thesis. In the body, weave in relevant quotes and paraphrased insights from your interview throughout to support your points. Analyze and reflect on how their responses further your understanding. Maintain a conversational tone while still using formal academic language. Be sure to cite any direct quotes by including the subject’s name and relevant identifying information. The conclusion should tie everything together by revisiting your thesis in light of what you learned. Proofread carefully for typos, grammar errors, or quotes that need attribution.
Stay Objective and Ask for Feedback
While an interview essay allows you to highlight a person, keep your analysis and discussion focused on your research topic, not just recounting the interview. Maintain an objective perspective and consider multiple viewpoints. Ask peers, tutors, or professors to review your draft for flow, analysis, errors, or ways to improve quoting, paraphrasing, and attribution. Make revisions based on constructive criticism before submitting your final version. Thank your interview subject for their contributions and consider sharing your completed essay with them.
Interview essays offer a chance to enrich understanding through firsthand experiences. With strategic preparation, organization, and strong writing, you can craft a compelling piece that illuminates your topic through personal insights and perspectives. Remember to choose an ideal subject, pose thoughtful questions, and structure your essay cohesively to showcase what you discovered through conversing with your interviewee. Incorporating these tips will help you write an interview essay you will be proud of.