Two-Three Weeks Prior
Prepare for the Interview
It may have been several weeks since you performed and critiqued your practice interviews. Remind yourself of all that you have learned by reviewing Oral History Interviews: Criteria for Success.
- Do Background Preparation and Determine the Scope of the Interview: Research and review interviewee background, as appropriate or necessary (see questions to consider in the Suggestions for Making the Call document). Listen to sample "Voices of SLA" interviews on this website to gain a sense of context. Review the list of interview questions recommended by Voices of SLA (SLA Recommended Interview Questions). Select a subset of questions that you think will be particularly relevant for your interview and create an "interview guide" that you will use during the interview. Review the questions and learn them by heart. Remember that these questions are to guide the interview, not to serve as a rigid sequence from which you cannot deviate.
- Arrange for the Interview: If you haven't done so already, read Suggestions for Making the Call. When you feel ready, call to set up the interview.
- Familiarize Yourself with Oral History Standards and Ethics: Review the Oral History Association Evaluation Guidelines and the Oral History Society's "Is Your Oral History Legal and Ethical?"
Get Your Paperwork and Technology in Order: Practice and re-check your recording equipment -- it's impossible to over-prepare! Prepare and print copies of the SLA Voices Participant Release Form and put them in with your recording equipment so that they don't get left behind.
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