The Interview Directions and Questions (keep scrolling)

 

I.  The Interview

 

Choose someone who is at least old enough to be your grandparent to interview.

 

Introduction:

When the poem “Desiderata” asks us to “take kindly to the counsel of the years” it is asking us to listen to what our elders have to share with us.  This assignment will give you a chance to explore what someone close to you has to teach. 

 

Task:  You will interview someone who is at least old enough to be your grandparent.  You will write down the person’s answers on this or another piece of paper.  These questions and answers will be used in an oral history essay that you will write after Thanksgiving. 

 

Process:

1.    Choose a person to interview.

2.    You must use the questions that are marked with an “**”, you may add questions of your own.

3.    Politely ask this person if he or she will answer a few questions—this will only take  about 10 minutes.

4.    Ask, and write down their responses.

5.    Bring this sheet and any others with information to class on December 5, 2000.

 

DUE:   December 5, 2000

 

Grading:     50 points for completed interview.

·       All “**” questions asked.

·       At least one original question that you made up.

·       All answers written on the “Interview Handout” or your own paper stapled together and turned in on time.

·       Legibility

·       PLUS 10 BONUS POINTS*****Get a picture of you with the person with whom you had the interview.

 

50 points for final written Oral History (to be assigned after December 5th)

·       One of three forms turned in on time.

o      Q and A Format

o      Third Person Narrative

o      First Person Narrative

o      Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation

 

20 Points for “Quilt Patch” dedicated to your subject (the person you interviewed)

·       Photo or drawing of the person.

·        Decorated with symbols of the person’s import to you or of items important to your subject.

 

 

 

 

 

Interview Questions Handout

 

Use these questions when you interview the person you choose.  Remember to say “Please” and “Thank you” this person is kindly giving his or her time to help you learn and complete your assignment.

·       Remember, you must use the “**” questions. 

·       WRITE ON YOUR OWN PAPER. 

·       You must add at least one new question. 

·       WRITE DOWN all of the answers so that you can practice using quotation marks later.

·       ** Using a tape recorder as you interview will help.  You can write later when you can “pause” and “rewind” the tape as much as you want----real reporters always carry a tape recorder with them for interviews.

·       DO insert as many questions as you need to in order to allow the interviewee to elaborate. 

·       Have fun!  Use this interview to find out something meaningful!J

 

**Person: ___________________________________ (First and last names)

**Relationship to you:_________________________ (uncle, grandmother, neighbor…)

**Why did you choose this person? ________________________________________________

I.  Personal History:

  1. How long have you lived in _________________________________________________?
  2. **Where you born here?  Explain the circumstances that caused you to move here.
  3. Describe the place from where you came.
  4. In what year? (It is okay if they don’t want to tell you.) _________________
  5. **What is one of your favorite memories from your childhood?
  6. **Were there any struggles that you or your family had to overcome when you were a young man or woman?  What were they?
  7. **Question of your choice about anything you would like to know about this person.  you can think of time periods or specific events.   (Some examples:  Ever see a ghost?  What did you do during World War II? or the Vietnam War?  How did you and your family come to the United States?  How did you get along with your parents? )

 

II.  School and Education

1.     **What was school like for you?

2.     **What is the most memorable event from your school days?

3.     School question of your choice: _________________________________________________________________

III.  Belonging

  1. **Tell me about a time when you felt left out or like you didn’t belong.
  2. **Please tell me about a time when you felt like you did really belong.
  3. **Describe a time when you became friends with someone who seemed really different from you.
  4. What advice would you give to middle school students who feel they don’t belong?
  5. What can people do to live peacefully and happily together in a world of differences?
  6. **What can you and I do to bring people together?
  7. **What do you think the new president will have to do to bring the voters together after an election that has many people angry or upset? 
  8. If you could pass one legacy (or lesson) to my generation, what would it be?
  9. YOUR Question: _____________________________________________________
  10.  Your question: _______________________________________________________