Paper #3-- You're going to like this one

Here's your last writing assignment:

Interview a journalist.  Then report back to us.

In other words, you're going out and doing first-hand research on the field you're preparing to enter.  

You want to talk to someone who can help answer the questions you most want to know the answers to. 

So... who do I interview?

This totally depends on what your goals are.  I'd say, pick somebody who has a job you'd really like to have someday.  Want to be a music writer?  Why not interview Jim DeRogatis?  Or a writer for Pitchfork?  Or an editor at Spin? 

Want to write about fashion?  Maybe you should find someone who writes for Vogue.  (I'm not kidding.  Give it a shot.  But have a plan B.)

Want to be a sports reporter?  There's a few in this town.  

Political reporter?   We've got those too.  

You get the idea.  

Be sure to establish a couple of things-- especially how much of their time you're asking for.  You can probably get what you need, bare-bones, in fifteen minutes if the person's a total stress case.  But if you can sit down with them for 30 minutes, you'll have a lot more possibilities.  

Be sure to take notes!   

You probably also want to make an audio recording.  (I don't recommend video unless you've already done a lot and are super-comfortable on camera.  Otherwise, it can add a whole layer of self-consciousness for everybody.)

But if you get to meet them in person (highly recommended), then do bring a camera.  Even if you're not much of a photographer, there's no time like now to start learning!

And... what do I ask them?

Again, this will depend on your goals, but keep it focused, and practical:  

Questions like, how did you get started in this field-- and how did you get where you are now?  That's not a bad place to start.   

Best and worst moments?  Maybe.  

Best and worst parts of the job week-in, week-out?  Now there's something I'd be curious about. 

What do you read?  Sure.

What do I do first?

Be sure to go to this Wiki page and write down the name of the person you want to talk to... and check to make sure nobody else has already claimed them!  (First come, first served...)

Then create a Wiki page for your interview subject, and use it as a first-stop place to make notes about them (because you're going to do research on them before you talk to them), and notes about why you're interested in talking with them, what you want to ask them, etc.

You may want to move the project to another venue-- a blog, or a Google Document are good possibilities.  You should have a place, ultimately, to "publish" your interview.  We'll talk more about the logistics of publishing next time, but for now, just keep in mind that you're going to be making this public.

Do I have to talk to them in person?

If it is AT ALL PRACTICAL, then yes.  You get a lot more out of a face-to-face meeting.  

But if you've gotta do the phone-- like say they work in New York-- hey, whatever it takes.  You might ask if you can Skype with them, so you can at least see each other.

But it's gotta be a real-time, voice-to-voice conversation (whether in person or on the phone):  Emails, texts, chat-- nope.  None of that. 

What's the final product?

1.  A published version of your story:  Make a place for it online where we can all see it.  (Again, we'll talk publishing logistics next time.)

2.  The published version should include at least one image.  Best-case:  You post a photo of your subject that you took yourself.  Use your best visual-journalism skills and instincts!  

3.  The text should be at least 400 words.  Max is 1,000 words.  It can take almost any form:  Q&A is OK, or a feature-reporting style.  Or mix it up.  

4.  You'll also be making a short presentation in class on Dec. 10.  Five minutes.  

The presentation will be for the benefit of the whole class:  Together, you'll be pooling a lot of knowledge.  

Ready?  Set?  GO!