Giving an interview

Plan out the interview’s structure and goals. A good interview is conversational, but you still need to map it out so you don’t lose focus. Decide what your specific topic is, what you need to find out, and how to order your questions.[8]

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  Suppose you’re interviewing a politician who’s running for mayor, and your aim is to learn more about their plan to balance the city’s budget. Research their budget and the city’s finances, and come up with questions that probe the specific details of their plan.
  
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  Conducting thorough research before the interview is essential. Learn as much as you can about the interview’s topic and the person you’re interviewing.[9]
  

Introduce yourself and state the purpose of your interview. Exchange pleasantries, identify yourself as a journalist, and mention where your piece will be published. If you haven't already, let them know why you're interested in interviewing them and which topics you'll cover.[10]

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  A polite introduction will help put the interviewee at ease.