Open-
An open question refers to any question that prompts an answer beyond yes or no, if the interviewee is prompted to explain and elaborate on anything; it is an open ended question.
An example of this would be "How are you doing today?" this is because the answer can go in any direction, it is beyond just a yes or a no.
These kinds of questions can serve as confidence builders, prompting the interviewee to push the interview in another direction.
Closed-
Asking a closed question refers to one that simply prompts a yes or a no, the interviewee may choose to elaborate; but the response will normally begin with a yes or no in reply to the question. An example would be, "Are you a christian?"
This answer pushes the interviewer to begin the answer with either a yes or a no, in a hard news situation where you're trying to gather some important information from the interviewee; these kinds of questions can back them into a corner.
Single-
A single question refers to when there is only one thing to answer, the interviewee may of course elaborate. But the question will revolve around one topic.
"Are you a christian?" Would still apply in this case, this is because there is little room to expand away from this. It pushes the interviewer to acknowledge the question.
Multiple-
A multiple question is a question that makes multiple points, it might have an overall purpose; but the little questions that build it up feed the interviewee's response. The reason this might be done is to preserve time, either this; or simply because of the fact that one of the questions alone was deemed not interesting enough.
A news company would likely be the ones to use this multiple approach, this is because news interviews are commonly pressed for time and want to pull as much as they can from the interviewee in the timeframe.
An example would be something like "How are you today, have you eaten lunch yet?"
Direct-
A direct question often appropriately is straight to the point, this can come in many forms. If referring to something like an interview regarding a football match, the most common direct question will be something like "Do you feel you did well in this match?" This is very direct because it is prompting a yes or no answer; the interviewee can then elaborate and expand from this.
Another direct question could be something like "Do you believe you performed poorly in this match" This is because this prompts a yes or no once more; even though the interviewer seems to be proposing that they played poorly.
Suggestive- A suggestive question instead suggests an ideal inside the question itself, on the topic of the football interview; this would refer to a question like "Why was your performance awful tonight?" because this infers that the performance was awful, instantly establishing the interviewers opinion.
Interview styles
Hard news-
Hard news is the collection of important information that is strictly factual and regards specific events. Hard News is often a threat in situations like political interviews; this is because a lot of the time: An attempt at bending the truth is made.
An example of this would be any of Jeremy Paxman's interview's with politicians:
Jeremy is particularly well known for his investigative/combative approach to interviews, he often pulls the hard truth from political speakers who'd like to stretch the truth and not give the full facts. Jeremy has become infamous among politicians and famous among viewers.
Combative-
A combative interview; as the name suggests, is one where the mood is particularly less friendly. The interviewer might be trying to pull some hard news from the guest; making the questions closed and direct. Sometimes interviews can break into arguments, this commonly happens when two experts are brought in to discuss something. An example would be this discussion with Marc Rudov on American news, in which he attacks (verbally) a feminist:
The heated argument in this interview revolves around a 'feminists' point of view regarding the idea that women are happier. Marc's role is to counter argue. The conversation heats up when it becomes more about the argument rather than anything factual. It ends with Marc stating "With women like you, men just want to die quicker" Making it extremely personal and no longer news related.
Light-hearted / Entertainment-
A light hearted interview is the opposite to the previous (Hard news or combative) in the sense that all of the questions are with a friendly intent. The questions aren't trying to pull anything important from the interviewer that they weren't expecting.
The interviewee in a light hearted interview will likely have been giving a lot more warning regarding the kinds of questions they'd receive. This means that they can prepare their answers.
One example would be Jonathan Ross and his light hearted talk show, Jonathan takes guests from pop culture to interview them regarding their recent project. The show is for Entertainment, rather than news.
On the subject of light hearted, Quentin Tarantino often appeared on the Jonathan Ross shows above others because of Jonathan's heavy interest and praise of his movies. He'd never deviate from light hearted, friendly questions.
Investigative-
An example of an investigative interview would be this radio show:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08gwfmk#playPromotional-
The interview revolves around how child pornography slipped past the Facebook regulations and guidelines, they ask someone whose worked within Facebook. As well as Damien collins, An MP, what their opinions on the ordeal are. The reason they have these two experts coming in to talk is because of the audience understanding; they want to have a fair fight between the opposing sides.
Having these experts coming to explain dramatically enhances the audience understanding; allowing them to follow the discussions.
Structure:
Introduction-
Most interviews include some form of an introduction at the beginning, this usually involves establishing names and the topic(s).
In some cases, specifically in more combative or investigative interviews; the introduction is quickly brushed over to jump directly into the question. This is commonly something that the infamous Jeremy Paxman is known for, in this example he is interviewing Russell Brand on his political comments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk
In the first 5 seconds where the introduction would normally begin, Paxman immediately fires his first question "Who are you to edit a political magazine?" This is an extremely direct question that prompts Russell to begin his defensive arguments.
Developmental questions-
Developmental questions develop and push forward the conversation while keeping the interviewee comfortable, they are similar to the Paxman example we just saw with Brand; but they are not commonly against the interviewer in a hostile manner like this.
Confidence building-
A confidence building question is an important part of the interview, specifically if the interviewer would like to keep the guest comfortable and attentive. If some of the questions are a little personal; the interviewer will want to keep a friendly relationship to keep the answers coming.
A confidence building question could be very simplistic, allowing for a very quick and easy answer; not much thinking involved. It will make the guest perceive they're in control.
Key questions-
A key question is what a confidence builder would work towards, key questions address the overall focus of the interview; what information the interviewer is primarily trying to pull.
In most situations this is where the research becomes key, the interviewer should have prepared their questions with the knowledge of which ones might be hard hitting key questions and which are softer confidence builders. Researching into your guest is key, walking into an interview without the correct knowledge can blow in your face.
Soundbites-
A soundbite is a statement in a little package that news groups can use for months after, if a prime minister for example says something either very controversial or very telling of their campaign on a whole. The recording from the interview will be taken to be used later on. A soundbite can also return later on to haunt someone, if a politician denies saying something, the clip could be used to prove it.
Summary-
A summary comes before the end, the interviewer will begin to conclude the conversation. Often asking the guest to make a final point or statement to summarise their overall message or opinion.
In a political interview, this could include a statement regarding their movement. While in an entertainment interview; you'd expect a mention of their latest project: Movie or TV show etc.
Wind up-
A wind up is the final conclusion, this is where the interviewer will thank their guests for taking part. They will also repeat the names at this point. This is a convention of interviewing that transcends all the mediums: TV News, TV entertainment, and radio for example.
Communication skills
Building rapport-
Building rapport is the direction that confidence building takes place, it is the establishment of a relationship with the guest; making them comfortable enough to ask more personal questions.
This kind of friendly rapport works the best in entertainment interviews, with the casual TV entertainment interviewers like: Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Graham Norton etc.
These kinds of talk shows are the most popular when the mood is humorous, this particular interview with Bradley Cooper is perhaps the most popular on Fallon's channel. This is because of the laughing fit the two of them fall in to.
Active listening-
An actively listening host is going to make the guest far more comfortable, active listening refers to the body language and auditory confirmations that remind the guest attention is being paid towards them.
A nod or an affirmative "Hmm" are the most common expressions of active listening, but sometimes acts like leaning forward can aid in presenting just how attentive you are.
Jimmy Fallon would be another example of this, he's constantly delivering "Uh huh" and "Yeah" to affirmate the guests statements and keep them talking. He's also a very comedically driven person, he'll laugh at even the simplest of prompts; making the guest feel comfortable and in control, like they're owning the situation.
Body language-
Body language is crucial in an interview, particularly a TV interview over radio; because of the fact that you can see the speakers rather than just hear them. The way you are sitting is very telling of your mood and disposition, a very open, enthusiastic and attentive body language is going to make the others feel more comfortable; like you're less likely to come at them in a hostile manner. Where as a closed body language is going to make the others nervous.
An example of this would be the Channel 4 Tarantino interview regarding 'Django Unchained', in this interview; the interviewer begins with a very open and interested body language:
He's leaning forward on his chair and fully utilising his hands and eyes to interact with Tarantino, where as during the interview; when things become a little heated. Tarantino moves a little more onto the offence, stating that he doesn't want to answer what is being asked. Once Tarantino fights back a bit, the body language suddenly dramatically changes:
The interviewer now leans back in his chair, seemingly uninterested and perhaps slightly aggravated. This sends a signal to Tarantino that he's lost interest and respect in whatever he has to say.
Comparing two reviews, two journalistic contexts:
Let's compare two interviews in different formats, the first being Radio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRWj8F7K_60
This radio interview follows a light- hearted conversational format, the questions are quite direct and open. The interview is also with promotional intent, meaning they're talking almost solely about the film.
The interviewer asks Jamie ( the actor) many key questions about his character and the development of his character in the second movie of the 'Fifty shades' series.
The interviewer is an active listener, establishing that he's giving Jamie his full attention. He will makes sounds like "Hmm" While Jamie is answering to prompt that Jamie is answering in the right direction.
This builds rapport with him, it makes him comfortable and establishes a little back and forth relationship. Confidence building is a big focus for this interviewer, at one point; he even shows a photo of himself without a beard, making fun of himself.
This obviously gives Jamie the upper hand, making it feel a bit more comfortable and at ease.
The next interview will be an online interview following a TV format:
This interview with Milo Yiannopoulos revolves around his alleged hate for Feminism, you can instantly notice a stark difference to the previous friendly and conversational interview. The video starts with the interviewer jumping straight into a direct allegation, asking why Milo hates feminism. But before he allows Milo to speak, he establishes to the audience what Milo's point is and what version of Feminism in particular it is that he hates. This is key to the audience understanding, it keys them in.
It's interesting to note the first question, he doesn't say "Do you hate feminists?" He goes straight in with "Why do you hate feminists" Suggesting and establishing immediately his strong opinions.
The interviewer is very combative at first, not allowing Milo to speak immediately; ensuring that he's said his piece. Then his first sentence almost challenges Milo, it's such a strong allegation.
The structure of the questioning is very different to the previous, rather than bringing up a movie in a light hearted promotional manner. He challenges Milo on his powerful views in an investigative format.
The TV interview is a lot more formal, with a simple question and answer format. Where as the radio feels a bit less formal with a conversational format as stated. The radio interview feels funner and friendlier; they're often making jokes and laughing with one another. While the TV interview is very straight forward and factual; the purpose is to pull information from Milo.
Both have their limitations, a funny radio interview is a joy to listen to but you don't get to see the person; their mannerisms or body language.
With that being said, the interview might not become as serious on a deep or personal level. The humour element can limit it to a friendly state rather than pushing the guest to answer more serious questions. This is common in light hearted TV interviews as well, talk shows like Jimmy Fallon's.
Print would arguably be the most limited in this regard, a written interview in a newspaper or magazine
Both have their limitations, a funny radio interview is a joy to listen to but you don't get to see the person; their mannerisms or body language.
With that being said, the interview might not become as serious on a deep or personal level. The humour element can limit it to a friendly state rather than pushing the guest to answer more serious questions. This is common in light hearted TV interviews as well, talk shows like Jimmy Fallon's.
Print would arguably be the most limited in this regard, a written interview in a newspaper or magazine
The limitations here would be not only that you're required purely to read, but also that it limits the level of emotion. If at one point one of the guests becomes angered; this would be harder to understand through text.
Another potential downside would be accuracy, it might be harder to believe what someone's said if you aren't hearing their voice. You're relying purely on what the paper states.
