essay writing format in english for interview

Write an A+ Interview Paper Using Our Tips and Examples

06 September, 2021

13 minutes read

Author:  Josh Carlyle

You will quickly find yourself with your back to the wall once your teacher assigns you an interview paper. Studying is often a headache by itself, and now you have to conduct interviews. Worse yet, you probably have no idea how you can do this. Luckily, we will tell you how to write an interview paper step by step in this comprehensive guide. So prepare your favorite drink and learn how to write a top-notch interview paper.

What is an Interview Paper?

An interview paper provides an expert opinion on a specific issue. In essence, it is an interview transcript inserted somewhere between the introduction and conclusion of an academic piece.

How long should it be? It depends on the topic and the length of your interview, but most papers are within the length of 2,000 – 5,000 words. What things should you consider before writing an interview paper in the first place? Let’s check them out below.

General Aspects of Writing an Interview Paper

Academic papers require you to provide arguments based on studies, research pieces, statistics, etc. But an interview paper is different – for this type of essay, you will develop assumptions around an expert’s opinion.

Let’s imagine your essay question reads the following: “Should we ban abortions?” If you write an interview paper, you should ask someone high-powered for their consideration. Let them be an executive director of the American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society.

You would reach them via email or phone or whatever communication channel you prefer and conduct an interview. Afterward, you would put all your findings on paper.

But in practice, writing an interview paper involves many more complexities and challenges, like planning, topic research , drafting, etc.

Let’s speak straight facts: nobody will reschedule their week to meet you because you need to do some homework. You’re one of the millions of students, and the local governor or a famous scientist won’t give you an interview nine times out of ten.

So you would want to target someone less busy, like professors from other faculties of your college or some researchers within your academic environment. Hunting a bigger fish is pointless unless you’re a well-established journalist working for a popular media channel. If you struggle to find someone within your college/university, you can contact people from your circle.

Writing Outline and Structure of an Interview Paper

 As you know, a typical paper consists of three parts:

• Introduction. This part includes background information, the hook, the thesis statement, and the transition.
• Body. It is the longest part of the paper consisting of several paragraphs. It should contain the actual interview.
• Conclusion. The final part summarizes the considerations and insights of your essay.

The question is: ‘where should you put an interview transcript and how do you do this?’

To answer this question, you need to come up with the interview papers format in the first place. There are several of them:

The narrative format implies that you can use either direct or indirect speech when referring to your interviewee. If you choose this path, you can stick to a 5-paragraph essay structure, retell the considerations of your interviewee, and cite their words here and there at your discretion.

You can also choose this format if you contact several people. Check what a narrative interview paper structure looks like when you reach out to several people:

• Introduction.
• Paragraph #1 – the first interviewee’s perspective.
• Paragraph #2 – the second interviewee’s opinion.
• Paragraph #3 – the third interviewee’s thoughts.
• Conclusion.

Alternatively, you can dedicate each paragraph to a particular idea of one person.

“Question and answer” will suit your needs perfectly if you interview one person. It is the simplest format used in online magazines, news reports, and other media. Your interview paper outline will look like this:

• Introduction
• Question #1 – Answer #1
• Question #2 – Answer #2
• Question #3 – Answer #3
• Question #4/5/6/etc. – Answer #4/5/6/etc.
• Interview analysis. You may include your thoughts on the subject matter.

Conversational

Conversational style is informal, and you can use either first-person or second-person narrative and follow a typical 5-paragraph paper structure. But writing interview papers in this lousy style might be perplexing, especially if you deal with this task for the first time.

We advise you to try the Q&A format because it’s the simplest one and takes the least time. Just imagine how much time your paper writing will take if you decide to interview three or five people.

How to Start an Interview Paper?

If you have no idea how to start an interview paper, choose the topic first. Selecting a topic for your interview paper is not a big deal, but you should keep in mind that you may not find appropriate interviewees for it.

Let’s imagine you want to explore whether the government should force people to get vaccines. This topic implies that you need to contact authorities. It might be a local lawyer, governor, or executive director of a local hospital. Well, the chances are these people will politely refuse to give an interview for your homework.

But if you choose to investigate how lockdown impacts intellectual workers, you can contact your friends or family members who work at home. In other words, it’s better to choose topics that reflect the experiences of ordinary people rather than the opinions of untouchable experts.

Asking people for their opinion about well-known facts like the Earth’s shape is a bad idea. You would want to choose high-profile debatable topics you can actually discuss.

Establish the Goal of Your Interview Essay

You have to establish the goal of your essay before researching the topic. For this, ask yourself: “What message should your interview essay deliver?” Sometimes, a topic of your choice might already explain the purpose of your essay.

Conduct Research

Interviewing someone implies that you should ask questions. But you will fail to do so if you know little to nothing about your topic. So read some case studies, news, articles, etc. Once you get the picture of your subject matter, you will come up with dozens of interview questions.

Get to Know Your Interviewee

A good interviewer always refers to the life and experience of their interviewee. If you’re lucky to work with someone you can read about on the Internet, find out as much information about them as possible. If your interviewee publishes any books, articles, or studies, you will better know them as well.

The more you know about the person, the more interview questions you can come up with. You can ask them whether the Internet tells their true story: “Is it true that you, Mr. Interviewee, support flat earthers?”

Draft Your Interview Questions

If you want a person to share their in-depth vision of the topic, you need to ask both open-ended and close-ended (“yes/no”) questions. However, you may struggle to prepare interview questions. Many students get stuck during this stage. To overcome this block, you need to learn some types of interview questions:

• Opinion – What do you think of this topic?
• Behavioral – What would you do in this situation?
• Experience and knowledge – What do you know about the subject?
• Background – How are you connected to the subject? What is your age, occupation, etc?
• Emotional – How do you feel about the subject?
• Sensory – What does the subject taste and feel like?

You can also think of the questions following the interviewee’s “yes” and “no” answers.

Tips for Conducting a Successful Interview

These four tips will help you conduct a productive interview on the first try:

1. Plan Your Meeting

Note that you want to interview a person in a quiet place so that nobody will distract you. This might be some cozy book store or a café. Or, you can arrange an online meeting. Make sure you have at least one hour for the interview.

2. Rehearse a bit

If you will conduct your first-ever interview, you want to practice with your friends/significant other/ family in the first place. This approach will help you identify what stage of your upcoming interview may challenge you the most.

3. Record Your Interview

You will forget about 50% of the information within an hour once you finish the interview. So don’t rely on your memory − bring a recorder instead. Why not take notes? You wouldn’t want to go red while asking your interviewee to repeat what they have just said or wait until you write down their answers.

4. Talk to Your Interviewee for a While Before You Begin

Speaking to someone you don’t know might be uncomfortable. You don’t have to attack them with your interview questions straightaway. Instead, you can exchange some casual phrases or discuss the weather. This will help you relieve stress and get comfortable with each other.

5. Explain Your Interview Protocol

It’s better to explain to your interviewee how you will conduct your interview. Tell them that you will use a recorder and introduce the discussion topic.

Interview Papers Format

In academic writing, you have to explain the purpose of your interview and introduce your interviewee in a specific “scholarly” format. The APA format interview paper has the following requirements:

• Use 12-point Times New Roman.
• Write a title page.
• Use double spacing.
• Introduce your interviewee and provide the background information – explain why this person is suitable for the interview. Mention their name and qualifications.
• Use direct quotes if you cite some facts provided by the interviewee.
• Use block quotes for citations longer than 40 words.

How to Write a Title Page?

The title of your paper must include your name, your institution, department, the course name and number, the teacher’s name, and the assignment date. The rules of writing the title page are the following:

• The title page must be numbered.
• Capitalize all major words in your title and make it bold.
• Place the title of the essay three or four lines down the top of the page.
• There must be one empty line before the student’s name.

Interview Papers Examples

If you’re searching for an interview essay example – check several samples below:

• A narrative interview essay .
• A Q&A interview format paper.
• An interview with a scientist.

Interview Papers Writing Tips

The following writing tips will help you deliver the first-class interview paper:

• Write the introduction at the end. Once you finish your essay, you will likely reconsider some ideas you had before you began. They will help you frame your interview essay with a captivating introduction and conclusion.
• Give yourself a break after finishing your final draft. This will help you look at your paper with a fresh pair of eyes once you start editing.
• Edit one type of error at a time. For example, you can reduce logical errors first and switch to grammatical mistakes afterward.
• Use an active voice. If active voice makes your sentence shorter, use it without hesitation.
• Check for any sample interview paper to decide on the interview questions. Perhaps, some pieces will spark your interest.

Writing Help by Handmadewriting

An interview paper doesn’t seem that intimidating once you learn how to write it step by step. First, you have to choose the subject that allows you to interview ordinary people rather than hard-to-reach ones. Then, you need to research your topic, conduct an interview, and write a paper.

You can get an A+ for this assignment with enough effort and dedication. But a doable task doesn’t necessarily mean that you must do it by yourself. If you have plenty of other assignments to do, you can ask our essay writers to craft an exemplary interview paper for you. For this, you can place an order on our website, and we will do all the dirty work.

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Learning Materials

How to write an interview essay: complete guide.

Updated: Apr 19, 2024

Ever wondered how to transform a simple conversation into a compelling narrative? Writing an interview essay can seem daunting, especially when you're unsure where to start or how to make it engaging. An interview essay should effectively present the interviewee's thoughts on selected topics, using a structured format that combines direct quotes, paraphrasing, and your own analysis to enrich the content. This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating an interview essay, from structuring and formatting to selecting the right questions and crafting a narrative that resonates with readers.

Start Writing Your Free Essay!

The process of writing an interview essay: an overview.

Writing an interview essay involves more than just transcribing conversations. It requires a thoughtful approach to select, organize, and present the interview content in a way that tells a compelling story. Starting with a clear understanding of the essay's purpose, writers need to decide on the format—narrative, Q&A, or a thematic exploration. This choice will significantly influence the structure and presentation of the interview content, guiding the entire writing process from the questions you ask to the way you interpret the answers.

Preparation is key in crafting an effective interview essay. Before even beginning the interview, it's crucial to research the interviewee and the topic thoroughly to ask insightful questions that elicit meaningful responses. Organizing these findings into a structured outline will help streamline the writing process, ensuring that the essay remains focused and coherent. The outline should include an introduction that sets the stage, a body that delves into the interviewee's perspectives, and a conclusion that ties everything together and reflects on the insights gained.

Outlining Your Interview Essay: A Structured Approach

Creating a structured outline for your interview essay is essential as it acts as your writing roadmap. Start with an introduction that presents your thesis statement and gives a brief overview of the interviewee. The body should be divided into several paragraphs, each focusing on a different theme or topic discussed during the interview. Finally, conclude with a summary that reiterates the main points and reflects on the overall insights. This structured approach ensures that your essay is organized and maintains a logical flow from start to finish.

Formatting Guidelines for an Interview Essay

Adhering to specific formatting guidelines is crucial in crafting a well-organized interview essay. Typically, your essay should start with an introduction that hooks the reader and introduces the interviewee. The body of the essay should follow the outline, using clear headings for each section if necessary, and include direct quotes and paraphrases from the interviewee. In terms of presentation, use a readable font, double-spacing, and include page numbers. Always cite your sources correctly to avoid plagiarism and enhance the credibility of your essay.

Dos and Don'ts in Writing an Interview Essay

When writing an interview essay, there are several best practices to follow and pitfalls to avoid. Do ensure clarity by using simple language and avoiding jargon that might confuse readers. Do maintain the authenticity of the interview by accurately representing the interviewee's responses. Don't manipulate quotes to fit your narrative, as this can mislead readers and take away from the interviewee's intended message.

Additionally, do focus on creating a narrative that engages readers, weaving quotes and insights into a compelling story. Don't overlook the need for thorough editing to polish your essay and enhance readability. Avoid overly long paragraphs that can deter readers, and ensure your paragraphs transition smoothly to keep the reader engaged from start to finish. Following these guidelines will help you craft an insightful and respectful interview essay that is both informative and enjoyable to read.

Crafting an Engaging Introduction for Your Interview Essay

Crafting an engaging introduction is crucial for capturing the reader's interest right from the start of your interview essay. Start with a hook that grabs attention; this could be a startling statistic, a poignant quote from the interviewee, or an intriguing question that sets the stage for the narrative. The goal is to pique the reader's curiosity and draw them into the story you're about to unfold, making them eager to learn more about the interviewee and the insights they have to offer.

Once you've captured the reader's attention, it's important to provide a brief overview of the interviewee and the main themes of the essay. This not only introduces the subject but also sets the tone for the rest of the essay. Include a compelling thesis statement that outlines the central idea or the primary insight the interview will explore. This approach ensures that your introduction serves as a concise roadmap for the readers, guiding them through the insights and narratives that will be developed in the body of the essay.

Concluding Your Interview Essay Effectively

Concluding your interview essay effectively is key to leaving a lasting impression on your reader. Summarize the main points and insights shared by the interviewee, reflecting on how they contribute to the broader topic or issue at hand. It's crucial to restate your thesis in a way that reflects the discussions and revelations from the interview, providing closure and reinforcing the significance of the interviewee's perspectives. Consider ending with a thought-provoking question or statement that encourages readers to think deeply about the subject, thereby extending the impact of the essay beyond its final words.

Enhancing Your Interview Essay with Narrative Style

To elevate your interview essay from a mere transcript to a vivid narrative, it's essential to embrace a narrative style. This approach involves weaving the interviewee's responses into a storyline that resonates with readers. By focusing on the flow of events and the emotional journey of the interviewee, you can create a more immersive experience. This style not only keeps the readers engaged but also allows them to connect deeply with the subject matter, seeing the interviewee not just as a source of information, but as a character in a compelling story.

Utilizing narrative techniques such as dialogues, descriptive details , and personal anecdotes can significantly enhance the readability and impact of your interview essay. These elements help to paint a vivid picture of the interviewee and their experiences, making the story come alive. Moreover, integrating direct quotes strategically throughout the essay adds authenticity and gives a voice to the narrative, allowing readers to experience the interviewee's personality and emotions firsthand.

Choosing the Right Questions for Your Interview

Selecting the right questions for your interview is crucial in crafting a narrative that captures the essence of the interviewee's experiences and perspectives. Focus on open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses, and consider how each question will contribute to the unfolding story. Here are a few tips:

• Ask about specific life events that shaped the interviewee's viewpoint.
• Inquire about challenges and successes to reveal depth and personal growth.
• Tailor questions to evoke emotions and personal reflections, which enrich the narrative.

By carefully choosing questions that align with the narrative style of your essay, you can gather compelling content that engages and resonates with your audience.

Elevate Your Interview Essay with Samwell.ai's Writing Tools

Elevating your interview essay becomes seamless with Samwell 's advanced AI-powered writing tools. Whether you're a student or a professional, Samwell ensures that your essay adheres to the highest standards of academic integrity. The AI assistant helps you integrate direct quotes and paraphrases accurately, ensuring that each citation is formatted correctly according to your specified style, be it APA, MLA, or Chicago. This meticulous attention to detail not only enhances the credibility of your essay but also saves you valuable time.

Moreover, Samwell 's advanced plagiarism checks are integral to maintaining the originality of your work. Here’s how it benefits you:

• Scans your essay against a vast database to detect any potential plagiarism.
• Highlights sections that require rephrasing to ensure uniqueness.
• Provides suggestions for citations to fortify your claims and avoid academic misconduct. This feature of Samwell not only protects your academic reputation but also instills confidence in your writing, allowing you to submit your interview essay with peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start an interview essay.

Starting an interview essay effectively involves crafting an engaging introduction. Begin with a hook that grabs the reader's attention, such as a startling statistic, a poignant quote, or an intriguing question. Follow this with a brief overview of the interviewee and the main themes of the essay, and include a compelling thesis statement that outlines the central idea or primary insight the interview will explore.

How to start writing an interview?

To start writing an interview, first ensure you have a clear understanding of the essay's purpose and decide on the format—narrative, Q&A, or thematic exploration. Prepare by researching the interviewee and the topic thoroughly to formulate insightful questions. Organize your findings into a structured outline with an introduction, body sections based on themes, and a conclusion. This preparation sets the foundation for writing an engaging and coherent interview essay.

How do you summarize an interview in an essay?

To summarize an interview in an essay, focus on condensing the main points and insights shared by the interviewee. Reflect on how these contribute to the broader topic or issue at hand. Restate your thesis in a way that reflects the discussions and revelations from the interview, providing closure and emphasizing the significance of the interviewee's perspectives. Consider ending with a thought-provoking question or statement to extend the impact of the essay.

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Home ➔ How to Write an Essay ➔ Interview Essay

Interview Essay Guide

An interview essay is a written composition that presents the insights, experiences, and viewpoints of an individual obtained through a structured conversation or interview. This type of essay goes beyond merely summarizing the interviewee’s responses; it integrates narrative storytelling with analytical components to provide a comprehensive perspective on the subject matter.

An interview essay offers a unique platform to capture insights, personal experiences, and expert knowledge directly from the source. Here’s what makes it special:

• Personal Connection: Establishes a personal link between the interviewee and the reader.
• Diverse Perspectives: Showcases varied viewpoints on a subject or issue.
• Depth of Insight: Provides in-depth understanding often missing in third-party accounts.
• Authentic Voice: Captures the authentic voice and experiences of the interviewee.

Overview of the Process

Creating an engaging and informative interview essay involves several key steps:

• Identify Interviewee: Selecting a person who has relevant knowledge or experience.
• Research: Gathering background information to formulate meaningful questions.
• Question Design: Crafting questions that elicit detailed and thoughtful responses.
• Setting: Choosing a comfortable environment conducive to conversation.
• Technique: Employing active listening and strategic questioning.
• Recording: Ensuring accurate capture of the interviewee’s words.
• Transcription: Converting the spoken word into written form.
• Analysis: Identifying key themes and notable quotes.
• Organization: Structuring the essay for maximum impact.
• Introduction : Presenting the interviewee and framing the topic.
• Body: Weaving together narrative and analysis, enriched with direct quotes.
• Conclusion : Reflecting on the insights gained and their broader implications.
• Proofreading: Correcting grammatical and spelling errors.
• Refining: Enhancing clarity, flow, and coherence of the essay.

This process results in an essay that not only conveys valuable information but also provides a window into the personal experiences and perspectives of the interviewee, making it a powerful tool in both journalistic and academic contexts.

Preparation Stage for an Interview Essay

The preparation stage is crucial for laying the groundwork for a successful interview essay. This phase involves thoughtful planning and consideration in several key areas:

Choosing the Interviewee

When selecting an interviewee for your essay, it’s essential to consider several factors to ensure that your interview is informative and engaging. Here’s a more detailed look at the key aspects to consider:

• Expertise or Experience: Look for individuals who have direct experience or specialized knowledge in the topic you’re exploring. This ensures that their insights are grounded in personal experience or professional expertise.
• Contribution to Topic: Consider how the potential interviewee’s background or experiences can contribute unique perspectives or deepen the understanding of your topic.
• Current Relevance: Preferably choose someone whose experience or expertise is currently relevant or topical, as this can add immediacy and interest to your essay.

Accessibility

• Availability: Confirm that the potential interviewee can participate within your timeframe. Scheduling conflicts or unavailability can delay or change your essay plans.
• Willingness to Participate: Ensure that the interviewee is available and willing to share their experiences and thoughts openly. An enthusiastic participant often provides more in-depth and engaging responses.
• Communication Ease: Consider the ease of communication with the interviewee, especially if dealing with different time zones, languages, or cultural backgrounds.
• Varied Perspectives: Seek out interviewees who can offer different perspectives from your own or from what is commonly represented in discussions about your topic. This diversity can add depth and breadth to your essay.
• Underrepresented Voices: Actively look for voices often underrepresented in your topic’s discourse. Including these perspectives can provide a more comprehensive and inclusive understanding of the subject matter.
• Cultural and Background Diversity: Consider choosing interviewees from different cultural backgrounds, professions, or life experiences. This diversity can bring a richer and more varied range of insights to your essay.

By carefully considering these factors when choosing your interviewee, you can ensure that your interview essay is informative and relevant and rich in perspective and depth, offering readers a well-rounded and insightful exploration of your chosen topic.

Researching the Interview Subject

Conducting thorough research before the interview is crucial for crafting meaningful questions and understanding the context of the interviewee’s responses. Here’s a more detailed approach to researching your interview subject:

Background Information

• Professional Background: Investigate the interviewee’s career path, including their current position, past roles, and any notable achievements in their field. This information can provide context to their responses and highlight their expertise.
• Educational History: Look into their educational background, including any relevant degrees, certifications, or training pertinent to the interview topic.
• Publications or Contributions: If applicable, review any publications, articles, or projects the interviewee has worked on. This can give you insights into their areas of interest and expertise.
• Personal Story: Where relevant, learn about the interviewee’s personal journey, including life experiences that may have shaped their perspectives. This can add a more human dimension to your essay.

Subject Matter

• Current Trends and Debates: Understand the current trends, debates, and recent developments related to the interview topic. This helps in formulating timely and relevant questions.
• Historical Context: Explore the historical background of the topic to provide a more comprehensive understanding during the interview.
• Relevant News and Events: Stay informed about any recent news or events related to the interview subject or the interviewee’s field of expertise.

Purpose Alignment

• Align with Essay Objectives: Ensure that your research aligns with the overall objectives and angle of your essay. Focus on gathering information that supports or enriches your essay’s intended narrative or argument.
• Identify Gaps in Existing Literature: Look for areas within the topic that haven’t been extensively covered in existing literature. This can guide you to explore new angles or under-discussed issues during the interview.
• Relevance to Audience: Consider what aspects of the interviewee’s background and the subject matter will be most relevant and engaging to your target audience. Tailoring your research to your audience’s interests can make the essay more impactful.

By thoroughly researching both the interviewee’s background and the broader context of the subject matter, you ensure that your interview essay is well-informed, relevant, and engaging, providing your readers with a comprehensive and insightful look into the topic.

Formulating Interview Questions

The right set of questions is pivotal for eliciting insightful and meaningful responses during the interview. Here’s a more detailed approach to formulating effective interview questions:

Open-Ended Questions

• Encourage Exploration: Design questions that encourage the interviewee to elaborate on their thoughts and experiences. For example, “Can you describe a significant challenge you faced in your career and how you overcame it?”
• Avoid Yes/No Responses: Frame questions to avoid simple yes or no answers. Instead, aim for questions that require a narrative or explanation.
• Personal Insights: Ask questions that allow the interviewee to reflect on their personal journey or opinions, such as, “What motivated you to pursue this field?”

Focused Questions

• Direct Relevance: Ensure each question is directly tied to the main subject of your essay. If the topic is specific, your questions should align closely with it.
• Specificity: Avoid overly broad questions. Instead, ask about specific events, decisions, or opinions for more detailed insights.
• Objective Clarity: Each question should have a clear objective and contribute to the overall narrative or goal of the interview.

Follow-Up Questions

• Depth and Detail: Prepare to ask follow-up questions that delve deeper into topics uncovered during the interview. For instance, “You mentioned a turning point in your career. Could you tell me more about that?”
• Responsive Inquiries: Base your follow-up questions on the interviewee’s responses to encourage a more natural and engaging conversation.
• Clarification: Use follow-up questions to clarify or expand upon interesting points, ensuring you fully understand the interviewee’s perspective.

Ethical Sensitivity

• Respect Boundaries: Be mindful of personal or sensitive topics. If the conversation veers into potentially uncomfortable territory, be prepared to steer it back respectfully.
• Informed Consent: Ensure the interviewee knows they can decline to answer any question.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware of cultural differences that might affect how questions are perceived and adjust your approach accordingly.

By thoughtfully formulating your interview questions, you can create a conducive environment for a rich and informative dialogue. This preparation helps in capturing the depth and nuances of the interviewee’s experiences and perspectives, making your interview essay more engaging and insightful.

Preparing for Different Interview Formats

Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations are fundamental in conducting interviews, especially when the information is intended for publication in an essay. Respecting the interviewee’s rights and maintaining integrity throughout the process is essential.

• Informed Consent: Clearly inform the interviewee about the purpose of the interview, how the information will be used, and where it will be published.
• Written Agreement: Ideally, obtain written consent, especially if the interview will be recorded or sensitive topics will be discussed. This helps to avoid any misunderstandings about the use of the interviewee’s information.
• Recording Consent: Explicitly ask for written permission to record the interview, whether audio or video. Explain how the recording will be used and stored.
• Withdrawal Option: Ensure the interviewee knows they have the right to withdraw consent at any point, even after the completed interview.
• Confidential Information: Agree in advance on what information is off the record or confidential. Respect these boundaries in your essay.
• Anonymity Option: Offer the option of anonymity, mainly if sensitive topics are discussed or if requested by the interviewee.
• Data Protection: Follow data protection laws and regulations, especially when handling personal information or using the interview publicly.
• Faithful Representation: Commit to accurately representing the interviewee’s words and sentiments in your essay. Avoid taking statements out of context or altering their meaning.
• Review by Interviewee: Consider allowing the interviewee to review the sections where their quotes or information are used. This can ensure accuracy and build trust.
• Transparency in Editing: Be transparent about any edits made to the interviewee’s responses for clarity or brevity. Ensure that these edits do not distort the meaning.

Adhering to these ethical considerations not only ensures the integrity of the interview process but also builds trust and respect between the interviewer and the interviewee. This approach leads to more honest and open conversations, ultimately enriching the quality of the interview essay.

Conducting the Interview

The success of an interview essay largely hinges on how effectively the interview itself is conducted. This stage requires a blend of interpersonal skills, strategic questioning, and attentive listening.

Strategies for Asking Questions

• Start Broad, Then Narrow Down: Before moving to more specific topics, begin with general questions.
• Encourage Storytelling: Ask questions inviting interviewees to share experiences or anecdotes.
• Avoid Leading Questions: Frame questions neutrally to elicit unbiased responses.
• Be Adaptive: Be prepared to deviate from your prepared questions based on the conversation flow.

Techniques for Active Listening and Follow-Up Questions

• Show Engagement: Nodding and affirmative responses indicate active listening.
• Clarify and Confirm: Ask follow-up questions for clarification or to delve deeper into a topic.
• Paraphrase Responses: Occasionally restate critical points to ensure understanding.
• Avoid Interruptions: Let the interviewee complete their thoughts before asking new questions.

Note-Taking and Recording Methods

• Choose Your Method: Decide between taking handwritten interview notes, typing, or audio recording.
• Be Discreet: Ensure your note-taking doesn’t disrupt the interview flow.
• Audio Recording: If recording, check equipment beforehand and obtain consent.
• Key Points: Focus on capturing the essence of responses rather than verbatim notes.

Conducting the interview with these considerations in mind ensures a productive and respectful dialogue. This approach not only garners detailed and thoughtful responses but also builds a rapport that can add depth and authenticity to your interview essay.

Organizing Interview Information

After conducting the interview, the next critical step is to organize the gathered information effectively. This process involves transcribing the conversation, identifying key themes, and selecting impactful quotes and anecdotes.

Transcribing the Interview

• Accuracy: Transcribe the interview as accurately as possible, preserving the interviewee’s words and expressions.
• Format: Decide whether to transcribe verbatim or to paraphrase for clarity and brevity.
• Tools: If available, utilize transcription software or services to expedite the process.
• Review: Go through the transcription multiple times to ensure completeness and accuracy.

Identifying Key Themes and Insights

• Read Thoroughly: Read the transcription several times to fully understand the content.
• Highlight Key Points: Mark significant statements, insights, and recurring themes.
• Categorize Information: Group similar ideas together to form coherent sections or themes.
• Relevance to Essay Goals: Align themes and insights with the purpose and objectives of your essay.

Selecting Quotes and Anecdotes for Inclusion

• Impactful Quotes: Choose quotes that effectively convey the interviewee’s perspective or personality.
• Narrative Value: Select anecdotes that add depth or provide illustrative examples relevant to the topic.
• Balance: Ensure a good mix of quotes and anecdotes throughout the essay for variety and interest.
• Context: Provide sufficient background information for each quote or anecdote to make sense to the reader.

When you begin writing the essay, organizing the interview information methodically allows for a clearer and more structured approach. This process ensures that the interview’s most significant and relevant parts are highlighted, providing a solid foundation for the essay’s narrative.

How to Write an Interview Essay

Writing the interview essay involves several key steps, from choosing the right format to blending narrative and analysis. Your preparation and organization come together in this stage to create a compelling and informative piece.

Choose Your Essay Format

The format of your interview essay is pivotal in determining how your content is structured and conveyed to the reader. Here’s an expanded look at the three primary formats:

Narrative Format

• Storytelling Approach: This format weaves the interviewee’s experiences and perspectives into a narrative, engaging the reader emotionally and intellectually.
• Chronological Flow: Often, the narrative follows a chronological order, but it can also be structured around a central event or a pivotal moment in the interviewee’s life.
• Descriptive and Engaging: Rich in descriptive details, this format allows the writer to explore the interviewee’s emotions, settings, and background, offering a deep dive into their personal journey.
• Ideal Use: Best suited for essays that aim to provide an in-depth look at an individual’s life, experiences, or viewpoints, such as personal profiles or biographical pieces.

Question-and-Answer Format

• Direct Dialogue: This format closely mimics the actual conversation, presenting the questions and answers as they occurred. It maintains the interview’s original tone and flow.
• Clarity and Authenticity: The question-and-answer structure is straightforward, allowing readers to clearly see the interviewer’s inquiries and the interviewee’s responses.
• Minimal Narration: The writer’s voice is typically less prominent, with the focus being on the interviewee’s responses.
• Ideal Use: This format works well for interviews with technical or highly specialized content or when the interviewee’s words carry significant weight and authority.

Thematic Format

• Theme-Centered: Rather than following the chronological order of the interview or a strict Q&A format, this approach organizes the essay around key themes or topics that emerge from the interview.
• Depth of Analysis: It allows for an in-depth exploration of each theme, providing a comprehensive view of the subject matter.
• Non-Linear Structure: The writer can rearrange the content to focus on the most relevant or compelling themes, regardless of their order in the original interview.
• Ideal Use: Particularly effective for complex topics that benefit from a nuanced exploration, such as academic research, exploratory journalism, or issues with multiple viewpoints.

Outline the Essay

Creating a well-structured outline is a crucial step in writing your interview essay. It helps to organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow of information. Here’s a more detailed approach to outlining the three main parts of the essay:

Introduction

• Introducing the Interviewee: Begin by presenting your interviewee. Include their name, relevant professional titles or roles, and why they are a significant figure for your essay topic .
• Background Information: Provide essential background information about the interviewee. This might include their professional achievements, personal history, or unique experiences relevant to the interview topic.
• Purpose of the Interview: Clarify the purpose of the interview. Explain what prompted the interview and what you aim to explore or uncover through it.
• Thesis Statement : End the introduction with a thesis statement or a primary question the interview will address. This gives the reader a clear idea of what to expect from the essay.
• Organizing by Themes or Topics: Divide the body into sections, each focusing on different aspects or themes that emerged from the interview. In a thematic or narrative format, these sections might cover various topics or stories. In a Q&A format, they might be organized around specific questions and answers.
• Supporting Details: For each section, include supporting details from the interview, such as direct quotes, anecdotes, or specific insights provided by the interviewee.
• Analysis and Interpretation: Add your analysis or interpretation of the interviewee’s responses. Discuss how their insights contribute to the overall topic or your understanding of the subject matter.
• Transitions: Ensure each section flows smoothly into the next. Use transitional phrases to maintain a coherent narrative or argument throughout the essay.
• Summarizing Key Points: Recap the main themes or insights discussed in the essay. This summary should reflect back on the thesis statement or primary question posed in the introduction.
• Reflecting on Insights Gained: Reflect on what you learned from the interview. Discuss how the interviewee’s perspectives have contributed to a deeper understanding of the topic.
• Broader Implications: If applicable, comment on the broader implications of the interview. This might include how the insights gained relate to larger societal, cultural, or professional issues.
• Closing Thoughts: Conclude with final thoughts or a closing statement that leaves the reader with something to ponder or consider further.

A well-crafted outline not only helps in organizing the essay effectively but also ensures that all key elements from the interview are highlighted and woven into a cohesive narrative or argument.

Blend Narrative and Analysis

Blending narrative and analysis in an interview essay is an art. It involves weaving the interviewee’s personal stories with your own interpretative insights, creating an informative and engaging piece. Here’s a deeper look into how to achieve this balance:

Personal Voice

• Storytelling: Integrate the interviewee’s personal stories and experiences as a fundamental part of the essay. Use direct quotes and vivid descriptions to bring these stories to life.
• First-Person Perspective: Consider using the first person, especially in a narrative format, to create a more intimate and personal tone. Share your own reflections or reactions to the interviewee’s stories where appropriate.
• Character Depth: Portray the interviewee as a full-fledged character. Include details about their personality, emotions, and background to make them relatable and real to the reader.
• Relatability: Aim to connect the interviewee’s experiences to universal themes or broader human experiences. This approach helps the reader to empathize with and understand the interviewee on a deeper level.

Analytical Insights

• Interpretative Lens: Provide your own analysis or interpretation of what the interviewee says. This could involve drawing connections to broader themes, offering critique, or providing context that the interviewee might not have explicitly stated.
• Balanced Viewpoint: While offering your perspectives, ensure they complement and do not overshadow the interviewee’s voice. The analysis should enrich the reader’s understanding rather than detract from the original narrative.
• Supporting Research: Use additional research or references to support your analysis. This can lend credibility to your interpretations and provide a more rounded view of the topic.
• Critical Thinking: Apply critical thinking to analyze the interviewee’s responses. Question underlying assumptions, identify biases, and explore the implications of their viewpoints.
• Seamless Transitions: Craft transitions that seamlessly blend narrative and analysis. Use transitional phrases or questions that naturally lead from a story to an analytical point or vice versa.
• Pacing: Balance the pacing between narrative and analysis. Avoid long sections of uninterrupted analysis that might detach the reader from the personal aspect of the essay.
• Coherence: Ensure that the analysis is always relevant to the preceding narrative. Each analytical point should clearly relate to the story or quote that it follows.
• Reflective Conclusion: In the conclusion of each section or the essay as a whole, reflect back on the analysis and narrative, summarizing how they interconnect and what they collectively reveal about the interviewee or the topic.

Blending narrative and analysis effectively requires a thoughtful approach where both elements complement each other, creating a rich, multi-dimensional view of the interview subject. This approach not only makes the essay more engaging but also deepens the reader’s understanding of the topic.

Incorporate Direct Quotes and Paraphrase

In an interview essay, effectively using direct quotes and paraphrasing is key to maintaining the authenticity of the interviewee’s voice while ensuring the essay’s clarity and conciseness. Here’s a more detailed look at how to approach this:

Direct Quotes

• Impactful Statements: Utilize direct quotes for particularly powerful, insightful, or unique statements. These quotes should capture the essence of the interviewee’s perspective or personality.
• Preserving Voice: When using direct quotes, it’s crucial to preserve the interviewee’s original speech patterns and expressions. This helps in maintaining the authenticity of their voice.
• Contextualization: Provide context for each quote to ensure the reader understands its relevance. Briefly introduce the scenario or question that led to the quoted response.
• Emphasis on Key Points: Use direct quotes to emphasize points critical to your essay’s thesis or main argument. These quotes can serve as evidence or examples to support your narrative.

Paraphrasing

• Simplifying Complex Responses: When the interviewee provides complex or lengthy answers, paraphrasing can make these ideas more accessible to the reader. It allows you to condense and clarify the original response.
• Maintaining Original Meaning: While paraphrasing, be careful to accurately convey the interviewee’s intended message. The goal is to simplify the language, not to alter the meaning.
• Integration with Your Analysis: Paraphrased content can be smoothly integrated with your own analysis or commentary, creating a cohesive narrative flow.
• Avoiding Misrepresentation: Regularly compare your paraphrased sentences with the original statements to ensure that you’re not misrepresenting the interviewee’s views.

Attribution

• Crediting the Interviewee: Always attribute both quotes and paraphrased ideas to the interviewee. This can be done in the narrative (e.g., “As Jane Doe noted…”) or through citations, depending on the format of your essay.
• Clear Distinction: Make it clear to the reader what is a direct quote and what is paraphrased material. This distinction is crucial for transparency and credibility.
• Consistency in Attribution: Apply a consistent style for attributing quotes and ideas throughout your essay. This consistency aids in readability and helps maintain the flow of the essay.

Incorporating direct quotes and paraphrasing effectively enhances the authenticity of your interview essay and makes it more engaging and accessible to the reader. This balance between the interviewee’s voice and your narrative is key to creating a compelling and credible essay.

Provide Context and Background Information

In an interview essay, contextualizing the content is crucial for readers to fully grasp the significance of the interviewee’s responses. Detailed background information enriches the narrative, making it more informative and engaging. Here’s an expanded look at how to integrate this context:

Set the Scene

• Introduction of Setting: Begin by describing the setting of the interview, if it’s relevant to the content or mood of the conversation. For example, if the interview was conducted in a significant location, mention it.
• Timeframe: Mention the period during which the interview took place, especially if it’s relevant to the discussion or if the conversation references current events.
• Initial Interaction: Briefly describe the initial interaction with the interviewee to give the reader a sense of the interview’s tone and the relationship between you and the interviewee.

Relevant Details

• Interviewee’s Background: Provide an overview of the interviewee’s professional and personal background, focusing on aspects relevant to the essay’s topic. This might include their career trajectory, significant achievements, or personal experiences that shape their perspective.
• Context for Responses: When the interviewee references specific projects, events, or experiences, offer additional information to help the reader understand the relevance and significance of these references.
• Visual Aids: If applicable, use visual aids like photographs or diagrams to provide a richer background and enhance the reader’s understanding, particularly in digital formats.

Linking to Broader Themes

• Connecting to Larger Issues: Draw connections between the interviewee’s experiences or viewpoints and broader societal, historical, or cultural themes. This helps to situate the interview in a larger context.
• Reflecting Current Events: If the interview touches on current events or trends, provide a brief overview to give readers a clearer understanding of the interviewee’s responses in the current landscape.
• Universal Themes: Highlight any universal themes or experiences discussed in the interview. This can make the essay more relatable and compelling to a broader audience.

By providing rich context and background information, you set the stage for the interviewee’s responses and enrich the reader’s understanding of the overall narrative. This additional information layer helps create a more immersive and informative reading experience.

Writing the essay is a process of weaving together the voices of the interviewer and interviewee to create an engaging and insightful narrative. In this phase, you bring to life the interviewee’s experiences and perspectives contextualized within a well-structured and coherent essay.

Styling and Formatting

In the styling and formatting phase of an interview essay, attention to detail is crucial. This step ensures that the essay reads well and meets the necessary academic or publication standards.

Adhering to Academic or Publication Style Guides

• Choose Appropriate Style Guide: Determine which style guide is relevant for your context (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
• Consistency: Apply the chosen style guide consistently throughout the essay.
• Formatting Rules: Pay attention to specific formatting rules such as margins, font size, and headings.

Balancing Narrative Flow with Factual Accuracy

• Narrative Structure: Maintain a compelling narrative flow that engages the reader.
• Factual Integrity: Ensure all factual statements are accurate and verifiable.
• Tone and Voice: Balance the essay’s tone between academic rigor and storytelling.

Citing Sources and Interview Material

• Citations for Interview Material: Follow the specific format for citing interviews as per the chosen style guide.
• Secondary Sources: Properly cite all secondary sources and supplemental materials used for background information or analysis.
• In-Text Citations: Include in-text citations where necessary, particularly when quoting or paraphrasing the interviewee.
• Reference List or Bibliography: Compile a complete list of references or bibliography at the end of the essay.

Proper styling and formatting enhance the essay’s readability and demonstrate professionalism and respect for academic standards. This phase is essential for lending credibility to your work and ensuring it is taken seriously by your intended audience.

Bottom Line

Final thoughts on the value and impact of interview essays.

• Unique Insight: Interview essays provide a unique window into personal experiences and expert perspectives.
• Storytelling Power: They combine the art of storytelling with factual reporting, making them compelling and informative.
• Cultural Relevance: These essays can contribute to cultural and social discourse by highlighting diverse voices.

Encouragement for Continuous Learning and Improvement

• Skill Development: Embrace each interview as an opportunity to refine your interviewing and writing skills.
• Feedback and Reflection: Seek feedback and reflect on your process for continuous improvement.
• Lifelong Learning: View each interview essay as a step in the journey of lifelong learning and professional growth.

By adhering to these guidelines and embracing the process, you can create interview essays that are informative and engaging but also respectful and ethical, contributing valuable insights to your chosen field or audience.

Read for more insights

• “Interviewing as Qualitative Research: A Guide for Researchers in Education and the Social Sciences” by Irving Seidman. This book provides an in-depth exploration of the interviewing process in qualitative research, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to understand or conduct interviews for essays or academic research.
• “The SAGE Handbook of Interview Research: The Complexity of the Craft,” edited by Jaber F. Gubrium, James A. Holstein, Amir B. Marvasti, and Karyn D. McKinney. This handbook is a comprehensive resource that delves into various aspects of interview research, including techniques, challenges, and ethical considerations.
• “Doing Interviews” by Steinar Kvale and Svend Brinkmann. Part of the ‘Qualitative Research Kit,’ this book offers a practical guide to conducting interviews, presenting the theoretical background and practical aspects of interviewing.
• “Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data” by Herbert J. Rubin and Irene S. Rubin. This book emphasizes the art of listening in interviews. It offers practical advice for conducting qualitative interviews, making it a useful resource for anyone interested in using interviews as a data source.
• “Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes” by Robert M. Emerson, Rachel I. Fretz, and Linda L. Shaw. While primarily focused on ethnographic research, this book provides valuable insights into effectively documenting and writing about interviews and observations, which can be highly relevant for crafting interview essays.

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How to Write an Interview Essay

Last Updated: March 11, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Diane Stubbs . Diane Stubbs is a Secondary English Teacher with over 22 years of experience teaching all high school grade levels and AP courses. She specializes in secondary education, classroom management, and educational technology. Diane earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware and a Master of Education from Wesley College. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 465,104 times.

An interview essay is designed to give the reader a general impression of the interview subject and to present their thoughts on a select group of topics. It also offers the opportunity to develop deeper insights by analyzing the interviewee's responses within a larger context. Interview essays are a common school assignment, and provide useful skills for those interested in journalism, or just being good writers in general. There are several formats that fit into the category, but a good interview essay of whatever type can make the reader feel as though they were asking the questions.

Interviewing for an Essay

• If your essay is to be a factual piece, you'll want to interview someone who has expertise in the subject matter you'll be addressing. If your paper is about a science topic, you'll want to interview a scientist in that field. If your paper is about a period of history, you'll want to interview either a historian or someone who's lived through that period of history.
• If you plan to make your essay an opinion piece, you'll likely want to interview someone who has a strong opinion about the topic covered in your essay. Ideally, you want someone who can express opinions articulately, and who also has credentials in the area you plan to write about.
• If your piece will have a narrow perspective, you'll need to interview only one or two people. If your piece will present a general consensus, you'll need to interview more people, probably with varying expertise and credentials.

• When available, read works about and works written by your subject, both in print and online. At the same time, research the topic associated with your subject. The more you know about both, the more intelligent questions you can ask.
• Look for previous interviews your subject has given, as well. These will give you an idea of what questions the person has been asked before, so you can decide on appropriate subjects for your own questions, including questions that no one else has asked.
• Questions that require "yes" or "no" answers are good for gathering specific factual information; open-ended "how," "why," and "tell me about" questions are great for gathering additional background material not found in your research.
• Draw up a list of the questions you are prepared to ask. Have more questions ready than you will likely use, so that you can make adjustments as the interview takes place. (For instance, your subject may begin focusing on what you thought was a side topic, but turns out to be the key part of your interview.) Rank your questions in order of importance to make sure you ask your best ones, or list them all in the order you'd ask them and color-code the most important ones.

• Choose a quiet place with few distractions for your interview site. A library, restaurant, or campus location if you're doing this for a college writing class would be suitable.
• You may want to get the interviewee's consent to use their comments in your essay in writing, as well as permission to record those comments during the interview. By law, if you are recording an interview conducted over the phone, you must obtain written permission. [4] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
• It's helpful to have a backup interviewee in case the person you plan to interview can't make it.
• Be on time at the place you've agreed to meet for the interview.

• Using a recording device (with permission) is almost always advisable, as it permits you to save your note-taking for jotting down your insights on contexts, themes, how your subject approaches the questions, his/her comfort level, and so on.
• Be patient and respectful as you ask your questions and wait for responses. Give the interviewee time to reflect, and you will likely be rewarded with more insightful answers. A few deeper responses are usually better than many superficial ones.
• Immediately after the interview, write down your thoughts and impressions about the interview and interviewee. They may help you shape the essay.
• Always end the interview by thanking the person.

Writing the Essay

• Narrative format. This form allows paraphrasing of some information the interviewee says, along with direct quotes for the material you most want to emphasize. This is the most likely format for a class assignment, and offers the most opportunity to add context and analysis.
• Conversational format. This is a looser format than the formal writing style required for most essays. You can address the reader directly and use both first and second person. This format can be suitable for anything from class assignments to magazine articles.
• Question-and-answer format. This form presents your questions to the interviewee, followed by the interviewee's responses. (That is, the text looks something like this: (Your Name): How long have you been in the circus? (Interviewee's Name): About 35 years.) These are always direct quotes, although you may insert explanatory material in parentheses and substitutions, such as a person's name in place of a personal pronoun, in brackets. This format is best suited for essays with only a single interviewee or a closely related group, such as spouses or the core cast of a TV show.
• Informative format. This format usually interweaves the interview with research you've done on the subject, incorporating some of that research in the text to provide background and give it a little more color.

• Read over your interview notes and listen to any audio / video recordings you have. Utilizing both whenever available will allow you to thoroughly consider both the highlights of the interview and the most significant themes to emerge from it. These, in turn, will inform your outline of what information your essay will cover and how it will appear. [9] X Research source
• One possible outline could be an introduction that starts with an anecdote about the interviewee and then presents your thesis statement, several key points that support the main focus, and a conclusion that summarizes the information presented. Traditional school essays often utilize a five paragraph format (introduction, three supporting paragraphs, conclusion), and this can often work with interview essays as well.

• If, however, the purpose of your essay is to use your interviewee's comments to support a position or examine a larger theme, your thesis will probably be a statement of that position or theme, with the interview / interviewee placed within that context. For instance: "John Doe's mixed feelings of pride and betrayal reflect those shared by many Vietnam veterans still with us."
• Regardless of essay format, make your thesis clear and concise, and be sure that the remainder of your essay refers back to it. See How to Write a Thesis Statement for more advice.

• Interviews can sometimes produce a good deal of repetitive answers (even with high-quality questions), so you may need to trim repetitions and unnecessary elements from the body of your essay. Make sure that whatever material you do keep remains true to both the spirit of the interview and the overarching focus of your essay. [10] X Research source
• A handout from the Writing Center at the University of North Carolina (available at http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/oral-history/ ) provides a wealth of valuable materials on interview essays. It includes, for instance, examples of how to utilize the same interview materials in a transcription (question-and-answer format), a presentation of individual experiences (quotations and paraphrases), and the placing of the interview / interviewee in a larger context (paraphrasing and quotations with ample explanation).

• Reading over the essay yourself is a good start, but it is always wise to have another set of eyes look it over as well. Another reader is likely to catch errors, repetitions, and unclear sections that you have glossed over. [12] X Research source
• Go back to your original interview notes, recordings, and transcripts, and make sure that your essay continues to reflect the actual interview. Layers of editing and revising can sometimes cause the essay to drift away from the original source and intent. You may even want to let the interviewee read it over to ensure that it captures their voice. [13] X Research source

• Any materials you used for research, information about the interviewee, or context for the essay itself should be referenced in the approved citation format for your essay.
• Make sure one more time that any direct quotations from your source are placed in quotation marks, and any paraphrasing is done without quotation marks. Don't put words in your subject's mouth, and respect the words that do emerge from it.

What Are The Dos And Don’ts Of a Journalistic Interview?

Expert Q&A

• After the interview, send the interviewee a written thank-you note expressing your appreciation for their time. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If the person you're interviewing is busy or elderly, you may want to plan for more than one interview session. Observe the interviewee for signs of impatience or fatigue. Conduct multiple, shorter sessions if necessary. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• If you plan to interview someone over the telephone, permission to record the conversation is required by law. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 3

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/oral-history/
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/interview-paper
• ↑ http://www.whatkidscando.org/featurestories/2007/maine_students/tip_sheets/FIRST-PERSON%20ESSAYS%20TIP%20SHEET.pdf
• ↑ http://www.brighthubeducation.com/help-with-writing/97515-how-to-write-an-interview-essay/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/proofreading_suggestions.html

About This Article

To write an essay from an interview, you’ll first have to decide on the format the essay will take, as this will determine the structure and what you write. The most common form is the narrative format, in which you use direct quotes and paraphrase your subject to add context and detail, or you can write in a more conversational tone, or even in a directly transcribed question-and-answer form. Once you decide on format, plan an outline by forming a central thesis, which will be the central statement your essay is making. Add onto the outline by drafting supporting evidence directly from the interview and from other sources, like books, newspaper articles, other essays, anything else to support your point. Write and finish the essay by combining information from the interview and other sources with your own explanations and words. To learn about how to conduct the interview to get enough information to write about and how to finish the writing process, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write an Interview Essay: Complete Guide

College and high school teachers often assign interview papers to test their learners’ planning, paraphrasing, and critical thinking skills. So, besides drafting a well-substantiated and information-packed piece, students must also organize and conduct an interviewing process.

Hence, this assignment is far from straightforward. Quite the contrary, it requires substantial pre-work before the actual meeting. Moreover, the task further complicates if you include several subjects or elaborate on a compelling theme.

What if you can’t meet an ideal candidate to elaborate on your topic? How to pose questions that reveal valuable information and present your findings on paper? How to write an interview essay introduction with attention-grabbing ideas that bring up current dilemmas or resolve an issue? There are so many trilemmas spinning around your head.

Fortunately, there’s no need to feel intimated or discouraged. This article will help you grasp the basics of an interview paper and how to write an outstanding piece. It will also discuss the steps involved in the writing process and give a few helpful tips that ensure your final product passes with flying colors.

What Is an Interview Essay?

An interview paper is an academic written piece that presents the insight the interviewer gained while interviewing one or several people. It aims to expose different perspectives on a particular topic once the writer gathers relevant data through research. Typically, the essence of the paper will rest upon your findings from the interviews.

The presented viewpoints will depend on the respondent. So, for example, if your paper interview focuses on social media, you might consider talking to an influencer. Conversely, if you’re elaborating on a burning social issue, you may want to speak to a local authority. Or set up a meeting with a scientist if you’re exploring natural sciences.

The interview paper must help the reader understand a concept backed by relevant statements. Unlike definition essay writing , where you paraphrase and cite trusted sources like scholarly books, the interview paper will stem from authoritative individuals in the respective field.

Finally, you can reap a lot of benefits from drafting interview essays. More specifically, those interested in becoming broadcast journalists, newspaper reporters, or editors will learn to pose thought-provoking questions. Similarly, HR managers will polish their screening ability and hire excellent candidates. Even prospective detectives and inspectors can gain from writing an interview essay. They will formulate a variety of engaging questions to get honest and accurate answers.

Outline and Typical Structure of an Interview Paper

Most essays follow the template of a basic 5-paragraph paper. Yet, the length can vary according to your subject and data availability. A standard interview essay from a custom writing service can range from 2,000 to 5,000 words or up to ten pages. Individual works are usually shorter.

The interview essay format will have an introduction, body segments (perspectives grouped under different subheadings), and a summary. Here’s an overview of what to put in each part.

Introduction . The writer needs to create an atmosphere of uncertainty and urgency to stimulate the audience to keep reading. It should also provide background information about the theme and the interviewee. Furthermore, the initial part can list statistics or what society thinks about the respective topic. Finally, your intro must contain a thesis that transitions into the main section.

Body . This part will present the pillars on which you conceptualized your research. If you get stuck while drafting the body, you might hire an online service to write an essay for you and incorporate the gathered data. They will isolate the main points and help you frame the perfect timeline of events.

Moreover, the body should reflect important facts, life periods, and considerations of your interviewees. For instance, you might split your paper into infancy, adolescence, university, marriage, and golden years. Or you might divide your segments according to different discussion questions.

Conclusion . Use the ending part to summarize the interviewee’s thoughts and your insights into the matter. You might also compare the available data to the facts collected during the meeting and verify their validity. The bottom line must leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Steps for Writing a Successful Interview

Below is a detailed description of the paper composition journey. Consider each step carefully and be consistent in your approach.

Define the Paper’s Objective

Writing an interview paper urges you to establish the overall purpose. You will have to specify the message you plan to deliver. For example, if you want to verify a public opinion, you’ll have to question several subjects. Alternatively, proving a natural phenomenon will require a conversation with an expert in the field.

Explore the Subject

Find and prepare printed and virtual materials related to your research. Previous interviews and works by the interviewee are also vital. Unlike rebuttal essays , your primary goal is to gather details supporting your claims. Therefore, brainstorm any note you found based on your predefined criteria.

Pick an Interview Format

Your sample form will depend on the specific theme. Most students decide to buy a literature essay online due to their lack of formatting skills. Here are the various formats you can choose when presenting your findings.

This format implies using direct or indirect speech to analyze the storyline. Consider retelling the considerations of the interviewee and citing the original wording. The narrative format is also advisable if you talk to a few interviewees. The structure should contain an intro, a body (each paragraph can describe a particular idea of a single person), and a summary.

Question-and-answer essays are ideal when interviewing one person. Most magazines and news reports prefer this type because it is the simplest. Your interview paper will have an intro, different parts for each question and answer, an analysis with your perspective, and a summary.

Informative

Also known as conversational or personal, these papers are informal and take first or second-person narration flow. However, writing in a dialogue form might be confusing and perplexing for an untrained eye.

Formulate the Questions

Make a thorough list of all the aspects you want to discuss and cover in the interview paper. Ask close-ended (yes/no) and open-ended questions that require in-depth responses. If you struggle with your questionnaire, consider the following suggestions:

• Share your core values
• What would you change in the world if you had a superpower for a day?
• How did your childhood impact your personality?
• What is the recipe for success?
• What is the best aspect of your job?
• How do you overcome your deepest fears?
• Define happiness with examples
• What object do you hold most dear and why?
• What is the most significant challenge in our society?
• How do you imagine the world’s future?

Get in Touch with the Respondent

Make an effort to contact your interviewee/s and be professional when arranging the meeting. You might need to use several communication channels to reach your target person. Focus on scheduling a time that works for everyone involved in the project.

Facilitate the Interview

Choose a peaceful and quiet place without any distractions. Always arrive on time for the meeting. Alternatively, consider setting it up in an online format, if finding a physical location isn’t viable. Most importantly, allow the speakers enough time to share their thoughts and maintain an impartial attitude to avoid miscommunication.

Interview Essay Writing Tips

Here’s some additional advice for writers taking the first steps toward interview writing.

Stick to Your Teacher’s Instructions

Your professor will probably mention the paper structure. For instance, if you receive a classification essay writing guidelines , don’t experiment with other formats. Moreover, rehearse the face-to-face meeting with a family member to avoid possible deadens. Here, you might come up with a follow-up question that clarifies some vague points.

Quote and Paraphrase Your Sources

Organize all the details on the background, education, and achievements before interviewing itself. When referring to the topics discussed, cite them properly and give credit. Also, explain the protocol to the respondent and the purpose of the research.

Consider Recording the Interview

The longer the meeting, the more details you’ll forget once you finish it. Avoid over-relying on your memory, and bring a recorder. Taking notes is also essential. However, don’t record unless the respondent gives prior approval.

Mind These Formatting Rules

Use a font size of 12 in Times New Roman with double spacing. Don’t forget to write a title page, too. When including citations longer than 40 words, use block quotes.

Edit and Proofread

Don’t expect the first draft to be the best. Reduce grammar mistakes and typos by polishing your initial wording. The final version must be logical, easy to read, and plagiarism-free.

Bottom Line

As intimidating as the interview paper might seem at the onset, these guidelines will help you stay focused and organized. Above all, pick an important topic with questions that affect ordinary people. This way, you can set up and develop the interviews more quickly. Undoubtedly, an A+ grade takes dedication and perseverance to research and write your paper.

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• How to Write the Methods Section for a Research Paper: Effective Writing Guide
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10 essential tips for crafting an effective interview essay.

Unlock the magic of storytelling by capturing the essence of human experiences through the power of interviews. Going beyond just words on a page, an interview essay transforms a simple conversation into a captivating narrative that engages readers on a deep and emotional level. By delving into the intricacies of someone’s thoughts, experiences, and insights, an interview essay brings a unique perspective to the table, allowing readers to immerse themselves in a world of diverse voices and compelling narratives.

With the interview essay, you have the opportunity to weave a rich tapestry of perspectives, uncovering hidden gems of wisdom that often go unnoticed in everyday life. As you engage in thoughtful conversations with individuals from different walks of life, you unravel unique stories that have the power to educate, inspire, and enlighten readers. Through the artful use of quotes, anecdotes, and vivid descriptions, an interview essay breathes life into the pages, creating an intimate connection between the reader and the interview subject.

Mastering the art of the interview essay requires not only strong interviewing skills but also empathy, curiosity, and the ability to connect with people on a deeper level. By listening intently and asking thought-provoking questions, you can encourage interviewees to open up, share their experiences, and provide insights that transcend the surface level. With each interview, you embark on a journey of discovery, peeling back the layers of someone’s life and inviting readers to join you on this transformative expedition.

Choosing the Right Interviewee

When embarking on the journey of conducting an interview, the first and crucial step is selecting the right interviewee. This step requires careful consideration and evaluation to ensure a successful and meaningful interview. The interviewee plays a pivotal role in shaping the tone and direction of the interview, bringing unique perspectives, experiences, and insights to the conversation.

One important aspect to consider when choosing an interviewee is their expertise and knowledge in the subject matter. Look for individuals who possess deep understanding and experience in the area of interest. This will contribute to the richness and authenticity of the interview, allowing for in-depth discussions and a deeper exploration of the topic.

Another factor to consider is the interviewee’s articulation and communication skills. A great interviewee should be able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively. Look for individuals who have the ability to convey their thoughts in a coherent and concise manner, as it will enhance the overall quality of the interview.

Furthermore, it is valuable to select an interviewee who is open-minded and willing to share their perspectives openly. This fosters an environment of trust and encourages candid discussions during the interview. Seek interviewees who are comfortable expressing their opinions and are receptive to exploring different viewpoints.

Additionally, it is essential to consider the interviewee’s availability and willingness to participate in the interview. Ensure that the individual is committed and available for the agreed-upon interview date and time. This will ensure a smooth and hassle-free process, allowing for ample preparations and scheduling.

Overall, selecting the right interviewee is a vital step in the interview process. By considering factors such as expertise, communication skills, openness, and availability, you can ensure that your interview is engaging, informative, and insightful.

Preparing a List of Questions

When it comes to conducting an interview, one of the most important steps is preparing a thoughtful and engaging list of questions. A well-crafted set of questions can not only help you gather the necessary information for your interview essay, but it can also create a dynamic and engaging conversation with your interviewee.

To begin, it’s important to consider the purpose of your interview and what you hope to learn from your interviewee. Whether you are writing a profile on a notable individual or exploring a specific topic, your questions should be targeted and focused. Think about the key information you want to gather and structure your questions accordingly.

When crafting your questions, it’s also important to strike a balance between open-ended and specific inquiries. Open-ended questions allow your interviewee to share their thoughts and experiences in more depth, while specific questions can help guide the conversation and ensure you obtain the information you need.

Additionally, it’s helpful to consider the interviewee’s background and expertise when formulating your questions. Tailoring your questions to their unique perspective and experiences can help elicit more thoughtful and insightful responses. Doing some preliminary research on your interviewee can provide valuable context and inform the types of questions you ask.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to be flexible and adapt your questions in the moment. Interviewing is a dynamic process, and sometimes the best insights and stories come from unexpected avenues of conversation. Allow the interview to unfold naturally and be prepared to adjust your questions based on the flow of the dialogue.

Remember, the goal of preparation is not to rigidly stick to a script, but rather to have a well-thought-out framework that can guide the conversation and help you achieve your objectives as an interviewer.

Conducting the Interview

When it comes to the process of gathering information for your interview essay, the stage of conducting the interview is crucial. This is the moment when you will have the opportunity to engage with your interviewee and extract valuable insights to create a compelling narrative. The effectiveness of your interview will greatly depend on your preparation, approach, and ability to establish trust and rapport with the person you are interviewing.

Preparation: Before conducting the interview, it is essential to thoroughly research and familiarize yourself with the topic and the person you will be interviewing. This will not only help you ask informed and relevant questions but also show your interviewee that you are genuinely interested and invested in the conversation. Take the time to identify key areas you want to explore, as well as any specific questions you may have.

Approach: When you actually sit down with your interviewee, it is important to approach the interview with a professional yet friendly demeanor. Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the interview, highlighting the value it will bring. Make sure to actively listen, allowing the conversation to flow naturally. Use open-ended questions to encourage your interviewee to share their thoughts and experiences in depth. Additionally, keep in mind that body language and non-verbal cues play a significant role in building rapport, so strive to maintain eye contact and exhibit attentive body language.

Establishing Trust and Rapport: To create a comfortable and trusting environment, it is crucial to show genuine interest, empathy, and respect for your interviewee’s perspectives and experiences. Actively listening and responding empathetically will help build rapport and allow your interviewee to open up and share their insights more freely. It is also essential to be mindful of any sensitive topics or boundaries that your interviewee may have and to approach them with sensitivity and tact.

By carefully preparing for the interview, approaching it with professionalism and empathy, and focusing on building trust and rapport, you will set the stage for a successful and insightful conversation that will serve as a foundation for your interview essay.

Transcribing and Organizing the Material

One of the essential steps in creating a well-rounded interview essay is the transcription and organization of the material gathered during the interview process. After conducting the interview, the next crucial task is to transcribe the recorded audio or written notes into a readable format.

Transcribing the interview material involves carefully listening to the audio recording or reviewing the written notes and converting them into a written document. This process requires keen attention to detail and accuracy to ensure that the interviewee’s words are accurately represented in the final essay.

Once the material is transcribed, it is essential to organize it in a logical and coherent manner. This involves identifying the main ideas and key points discussed during the interview and arranging them in a structured outline. By organizing the material, it becomes easier to identify the flow of thoughts, highlight important quotes, and create a cohesive narrative for the essay.

In addition to structuring the material, it is also crucial to categorize the information based on relevant themes or topics. This helps in creating a comprehensive and well-structured essay that covers all aspects of the interview. By organizing the material into distinct sections, it becomes easier to focus on specific areas and present the information in a clear and concise manner.

Overall, transcribing and organizing the material is a crucial step in the process of writing an interview essay. It ensures that the information gathered during the interview is accurately represented and presented in a well-structured manner. By giving careful attention to detail and organizing the material effectively, the essay can effectively convey the interviewee’s thoughts and experiences to the reader.

Crafting the Essay

Creating a well-crafted essay is the essential next step after conducting a successful interview. This part of the process involves carefully structuring your thoughts and findings, and presenting them in a clear and engaging manner.

One effective way to approach the crafting of your essay is to make use of a table. This table can act as a visual tool to help you organize and outline the key points and themes that emerged from your interview. By visually mapping out these elements, you can ensure that your essay has a logical flow and a coherent structure.

In addition to using a table, it is important to consider the tone and style of your essay. While it should be professional and objective, it is also important to infuse it with your own unique voice and perspective. This will help to make your essay more engaging and personal, allowing the reader to connect with the subject and the insights you gained from the interview.

When crafting your essay, it is also important to consider the target audience. Who will be reading your essay and what do they hope to gain from it? Tailoring your language and content to suit the needs and expectations of your audience will help to ensure that your essay is effective in conveying the key messages and ideas you want to communicate.

Finally, don’t forget to proofread and edit your essay before submitting it. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, as well as the overall clarity and organization of your writing. Taking the time to refine and polish your essay will greatly enhance its impact and make it more enjoyable for the reader.

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How To Write An Interiew Paper: Ultimate Guide

While you’re in school and studying different subjects, it can be tricky to understand each assignment’s needs and depths, especially long-form research papers that might count for a large percentage of your total grade. Writing an interview paper can involve a lot of research, require a lot of time and effort to find and schedule interviews with the right people, and write an engaging and easy-to-read piece. So here’s your ultimate blueprint on how to write an interview paper!

What Is An Interview Paper?

How to write an interview paper, the step-by-step guide on writing an interview paper, how to start an interview paper, how to write a conclusion for an interview paper, how to format an interview paper, checklist of essentials for an impressive interview paper, topics for an interview paper.

An interview paper is an intriguing but complex assignment to write about a topic that incorporates interviews and perspectives of different people on the issue. These interviews are usually with people who are stakeholders in a problem or the general public that has been inevitably affected by a country’s policy or about a particular case that caused havoc. In addition, it can also be a descriptive piece elaborating on the personal experience or anecdote of one person.

It’s definitely a learned skill and requires a lot of effort into cultivating precise questions networking to find the best people to interview (they can range from being your family members who were involved in a particular issue or have stark opinions on your topic to policymakers and governors who contributed to either passing or striking a specific act), and finally putting it all together to communicate the varying perspectives effectively without bias.

Here’s an excerpt from an interview paper example :

With the recent upsurge in mental health and psychology, many experts in the field are celebrating the increased awareness but also worry about the dissipation of false information. Especially with social media, information is communicated from one part of the world to another within seconds. It can lead to the misuse of terms and psychological context, leading to severe harm and damage. Dr. Rosen Luis, a professor of abnormal psychology at the University of Georgia, elaborated upon the issue of false information being spread on social media in a personal interview conducted last year. “As social media penetrates the global world at a more rapid rate than anything else in the world, sensitive information like that regarding mental health can easily be misused or leveraged in incorrect circumstances due to the lack of supervision on growing platforms. Social media also creates unrealistic expectations about how a mental illness should look. There’s no one distinct way a disorder manifests in everybody and can lead to different lifestyle changes for different people.” (R. Luis, Phone Interview, Jun 22, 2021)

So you might be thinking about how to write a paper based on an interview and what are the different components of such a paper? Well, a lot goes into an article of this kind, so it’s essential to break it down into separate elements so you can tackle each with great effort and accuracy to cultivate a solid assignment and fetch a top grade!

If you have the freedom to choose your topic for the assignment, it is essential that you pick up a contentious concept that is the center of debate and leads to some civil discourse. An interview paper needs to be backed with air-tight research and credible interviews taken ethically and incorporate direct, in-depth questioning and sources.

Now you may be wondering how to include an interview in a research paper, mainly because interviews often look like scripts instead of concrete research material, so it’s important to note that while your discussions will be long-form and extensive, you’ll have to pick and choose responses from your different interviews to use as quotes or credible backing for your statements within the content of the paper.

If you have no desire to get all those knowledge or experience a long tiring writing process, you can use an opportunity to buy cheap dissertation online .

To make the writing process easier, you should be absolutely sure in what to do in each step. Here is a list of steps you need to take to get a perfect interview paper.

• Step 1 – Selecting the ideal topic for your paper : The topic you end up choosing for your interview paper can genuinely make or break your grade. It’s best not to look at generalized ideas or concepts that have been established as facts, as it’s unlikely that such topics will have a large-scale difference of opinion. Searching for a good case could begin with looking for issues that cause healthy discussion, differ within groups of different cultural, political, social, or economic backgrounds, and are essential conversations to have. It’s vital to ensure that the topic doesn’t cause a threat to someone’s rights, identity, or existence.
• Step 2 – Ideation and Research : Now that you’ve established your topic and a basic crux of your thesis statement, you can begin ideating the direction you want to take your paper. For instance, you choose capital punishment and its use to decrease long-term crime patterns in Singapore (known to have one of the highest percentages of the executed population via capital punishment), you’ll think about whether you want to talk about its history, grassroots change, crime statistics and also decide who all you’ll want to interview. A big part of writing an interview paper is finding people from diverse backgrounds with conflicting opinions to give your readers a 360-degree view on the issue.
• Step 3 – Crafting your interview questions : After having decided your topic and doing in-depth research about the same, it’s time to curate a set of interview questions that are brief, to-the-point, and extract the information you require for your assignment. Crafting good open-ended questions is a learned skill and will improve with the number of interviews you prep for. Ensure that all your questions are about the topic, fact-checked, and easy to understand for the interviewee.
• Step 4 – Taking the interviews : Once the interview blueprint is ready, you’ve to schedule and conduct interviews with the people you’re choosing to talk to (it is preferred that you conduct interviews in-person, so it is as personal and direct as possible). Be sure to ask your questions clearly and record the interviewee’s responses using a recording device so you can precisely transcribe the answers afterward. It’s crucial that your interviewee feels comfortable talking to you about the topic, especially if it is something very sensitive and personal. Good interview ethics also involve letting your respondent know they can communicate if they want something they spoke about to be scratched out of the interview.If you’re planning on using published interviews, you can skip the third and fourth steps and pick up essential quotes from the already published interviews. Remember to cite the quotes in the correct format so that you don’t get into any unnecessary plagiarism issues.
• Step 5 – Creating an outline : With regards to the obtained interview responses, you’ll create a very detailed skeleton for the interview paper, so you know precisely which idea goes where. This will help you when you finally get down to writing the actual essay, as you’ll be able to keep track of your different ideas, quotes, and sources and establish an engaging flow. You can also spend some time writing transitionary sentences that you’ll use when you move from one paragraph to the next.
• Step 6 – Writing the paper : Now that you’re done with all the back-end research, interviewing, and outlining, you’ve to sit down and fill in the gaps to produce a stellar essay. You have all the elements you need to decrease your distractions, be charged up, and just write it out. Contrary to popular belief, writing is actually a learned skill. Even if you don’t believe you’re as good with words as others, learning a few tips and tricks can easily elevate your writing to a notch above. Using precise and appropriate vocabulary, leveraging analogies, metaphors, and other language elements to convey your ideas, and having perfect grammar and syntax are some of the ways you can better your writing.

The basics of any paper are a thesis statement, introduction, body, and conclusion. You would’ve formulated your thesis statement while ideating the direction you wanted to take your paper in, and through the outline, you’ve hopefully followed the one-idea, one paragraph to give rise to a well-constructed body. Here’s some guidance on the two components that determine the first impression and last impression your reader has of the paper:

The introduction of your interview paper is the first thing that the reader looks at, so it’s crucial to hook the reader to keep them engaged to follow through with reading the paper. You can include:

Your thesis statement Intriguing data about your topic A quote from one of your interviewees Citing any information that’s been in the news with regards to your topic

The purpose of a catchy introduction is to connect the idea at hand to the reader’s life and intrigue them enough to learn more about the issue.

For example , if you’re writing on the capital punishment topic, beginning with an alarming statistic to depict the dire need to start a serious conversation about its effectiveness or ineffectiveness could hook the reader very well:

“ Juxtaposing the modern ideals of reformation and change, over 400 individuals have been giving the death penalty in Singapore since 1991″

Like any research paper, a firm conclusion is a must in a well-written interview paper. Since your paper will deal with some contrasting ideas, summarizing all the perspectives while shedding more light on the thesis statement will hook your reader to think about the information and views brought up in your essay long after they finish reading. Though this is one of the many assignments you’ve to write for school, interview papers dealing with conflicting real-life issues also contribute to social change via beginning civil discourse and fact-oriented discussion on important causes.

• Step 7 – Citing the sources : It’s vital that after you finish the contents of your essay, you spend time formatting your interview paper in the correct format and cite all of your sources in the needed manner (e.g., MLA, APA, etc.). It’ll help provide credibility to your arguments, show that you delved into air-tight research for your topic, and protect you from any coincidental issues in plagiarism checkers.
• Step 8 – Revision : It’s believed that looking at your paper, especially one you’ve spent hours on, with a fresh set of eyes, gives you a better perspective on things to change and helps you spot any missed grammar and style errors. You can finish your draft, take a nap, get back to the assignment and make the changes, read it aloud to make any mistakes more noticeable, or even ask a friend to have a read-through.

It’s essential that you know the interview paper format to be able to present a well-written, researched, and formatted assignment for an excellent grade. So here are some steps on how to write an interview paper in APA format –

If you’re citing a personal interview that you conducted in the course of writing the piece, here’s the format to follow:

Include the name of the interviewee and their qualifications, job description, and experience Mention the purpose of involving them in your research paper Incorporate a couple of quotes from their interview Cite the interview in the correct APA format

For, e.g., – (Interviewee first name initial & last name, interview format, date of interview)

If you’re citing an already published interview of someone in the field, the way you format the quotes in the paper and the bibliography should follow the format of the document in which you found the interview. Say you found an interview of a renowned politician in a social science journal that followed the MLA format; you must follow the same and cite the social science journal as your source.

To have peace of mind that you’ve done everything you needed for the perfect interview paper, here’s a short checklist you can quickly run through before submitting your assignment

Included all interviewees point’s of view Remained neutral while elaborating on others’ opinions even if you have a solid personal perspective on the subject Followed the one-idea, one-paragraph rule and included well-written transitory sentences Utilized precise and high-level vocabulary and sentence structure Proofread the essay to rid it of any grammar or syntax inconsistencies Used the correct format to cite sources within the paper and in the bibliography

• What role do you think your genetics play in your character compared to your upbringing?
• Are beauty standards unrealistic?
• Is social media connecting or disconnecting people?
• Should abortion be a topic of policy?
• Should age-old prisons be reconstructed to fit modern ideas of reformation and change?
• Do nursing homes contribute to the well-being of the older generation?
• Should marijuana be legalized?
• Should the same humanitarian and crime laws apply in times of war?
• Should gun rights be ubiquitous?
• Is capital punishment leading to grassroots change?
• Should society be capitalist, socialist, or an amalgamation of both?
• Should cloning be legal?
• Is the concept of marriage as idolized as it used to be?
• Is choosing to be child-free selfish?
• Should the rich pay more tax?
• Are our immigration policies outdated in a globalized world?
• Should celebrities be more accountable for their actions than the average person?
• Are companies doing enough to contribute to climate change effects?
• Should holistic therapies be considered certified medical treatments?
• Should upbringing be gendered?
• Is having kids in a time of such turmoil ethical?
• Should prostitution be legalized?
• How should racism or homophobia be combated on an individual level?
• College degrees and their relevance in the digital age
• Going vegan v/s consuming meat: What’s better for the climate?
• How important is your religion to you?
• Are money and happiness correlated?
• How much does early-child development affect one’s mental health into adulthood?
• Is stealing ever okay?
• Are arranged marriages still as popular?

Not Interested in Writing Paper by Yourself?

Getting started with an interview paper can feel intimidating, mainly since it entails so much work – in-depth research on the topic and the history of debate behind it, setting up and curating tailored interviews with people relevant to the topic, and so much more. While you juggle several courses and assignments and other extracurricular work at high school or college, it can be challenging to submit well-written papers that will put you at the top of your class.

Impressing your professor isn’t an easy task. Still, you can do it by hiring expert help that will assist you with your writing assignments and produce work that the accomplished writers will curate as per your needs, that too at highly affordable rates!

You’ll be able to buy and order a custom interview paper that will be ideated and written by thesis writing service for a cheap cost. It’s an efficient and cost-effective way to stay on top of your work, learn from experts in the field, and wow your teachers with a well-written interview paper!

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A Guide to Writing an Essay for Job Interviews

Writing is a doorway into your mental perspective. Your written work will convey to the reader how you reason, how you debate, and how you support your point of view. This is why essays are integral parts of some job selection processes.

The subjects and topics of these essays mostly revolve around specific current affairs or political events. The more you understand the topic and have information about the event, the better your essay becomes.

Things to remember about Essay Writing

• The essay must be organized and presented so that interviewer can follow it easily. It also needs to be neat and free of any ambiguity. 
• The essay is not only a quiz on your understanding of specific facts. Your imagination, ingenuity, and ability to come up with original ideas will be put to the test. Hence, it must be written in an engaging, readable style. However, it must, most importantly, include your viewpoints on the matter at hand.
• Language proficiency does not develop immediately. It requires perseverance and effort. Your motivation to learn a language will impact how well you can communicate in it.
• In the wrong belief that we can produce a quality piece of work in the test room, many of us make the mistake of accumulating information and facts on the likely topics at the eleventh hour of preparation.
• What we must realize is that organizing information using the proper terminology will be a laborious task, especially under the strain of a deadline
• Improve your abilities by being enthusiastic about reading, taking an interest in expanding your knowledge base, and learning new words.
• The essay as a whole needs to flow naturally from one paragraph to the next so that the interviewer can sense the coherence, orderly flow, and arrangement of your ideas. Transitional words and phrases can be used to tie the paragraphs together.

Suggestions for Writing Effectively

Now let’s discuss some general ideas and tips for writing essays.

• Maintain proper structure: Start the essay with an introduction (or a problem), and then go on to give further information about the problem. The essay body should be between 86 and 90 percent in length, the introduction should be between 5 and 7 percent, and the conclusion should be between 5 and 7 percent.
• Don’t lose track of the subject: Remember the essay prompt. Remain focused on the topic. do not just cite examples or quotations and discuss side-events. Stay rooted in the problem or event you are discussing and then present your take on that very event.
• Practice is the key: Preparation is required before the examination phase to develop the ability to produce a decent essay. Writing is the key to a successful essay because it serves as the primary means of transferring thoughts from your head to paper. So don’t just read, start practicing writing essays before you write them for the real interview.
• Draw the readers’ attention: Your introduction’s opening line should spark the reader’s interest and stimulate their curiosity. When discussing a current affair or a political issue, it might be an intriguing question, a stunning reality, or a statement emphasizing the significance of the topic.
• Explain the background of your subject: The next step is to provide the context of the particular issue of current affairs or politics, so that the interviewer may grasp your argument. This may entail offering background information, providing an overview of the significance of discussions on the subject, and defining complex words. Don’t go into too much depth in the opening; you can go into more detail in your essay’s body.
• Be resourceful with your knowledge : In order to write a good article about current topics, you must understand that knowledge comes first. You need to know what is going on around you. Be precise when presenting your current affairs knowledge. Be precise in how you think about these incidents.

Mistakes to avoid in the Essays

You’ve probably got a clear idea about how to write an essay this far. That’s great! But you also need to be aware of the errors to keep away from. Your essays will be of much better quality if you can figure out how to avoid the following errors.

• Synthesis Writing, Not Analytical Essay Writing: If you’re writing about a current event, providing some background information can help to frame the subject. However, the majority of your essay should focus on your analysis. Don’t just summarise what happened.
• Too many arguments: The interviewer always expects you to provide solid justification for your thesis. Some people take this literally, and as a result, they write as many facts, figures, and quotations as they can. To make the thesis statement more credible, avoid adding unnecessary complexity to the article by making unrelated citings. Stick to the topic and state your case logically without factitively.
• Don’t sound contradictory: Be clear from the very first about your take on the event you are discussing. You may discuss different and relevant aspects of the issue you are discussing but don’t sound contradictory in the process. Don’t hold extremist opinions. Your essay should demonstrate how well-balanced, holistic, and analytical you are.

Useful Resources to learn about Current Events

Now, if you are wondering where and how to find the current events or relevant political issues that may be the potential topics of your essay, here are some cues for you.

• Consistency is necessary for the GA segment; daily newspaper reading is required.
• Keep concise records of significant news. The notes should be revised on a regular basis.
• Another way to stay up to date on current events is to subscribe to news networks or current affairs YouTube channels.
• You can read monthly magazines that are offered by different institutions if you don’t have time to read everyday current affairs. These periodicals can be found online and in PDF format.

So, these are everything you need to know about writing an essay on current and political issues; following the DOs and DONTs mentioned here you can create an excellent piece. But always keep in mind that before writing comes knowledge. There is no such thing as perfect writing but the more you are aware of your surroundings the easier it is for you to pen it down. Hence, keep reading, and stay updated to excel in your essay on such topics.  

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Job Interview Essay

Job interview essay generator.

As one would expect during a job interview, your employer may be asking you to write something . This would be in the form of an essay. This is usually about your experiences, your skills and all the basic information they need to know more about you. They do this to see and to understand you as a person. Here are some 7+ job interview essay examples you can check out for some tips on what to write and what to avoid.

7+ Job Interview Essay Examples

1. job interview essay template.

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2. Sample Job Interview Essay

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3. Basic Job Interview Essay

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4. Job Interview Question Database Essay

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5. Job Interview Essay in PDF

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6. Printable Job Interview Essay

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7. Job Interview Strategy Essay

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8. Formal Job Interview Essay

Size: 192 KB

Define Interview

An interview is a meeting face to face. It is usually a conventional conference . A conversation or a questioning for the purpose of getting information from the interviewee. 

Define Job Interview

A job interview is a dialogue between an employer and the applicant. In a job interview, the employer asks questions about the applicant’s work history, educational history, and skills. 

Things to Avoid in Writing a Job Interview Essay

Some of us get so excited when writing essays, like that of a job interview, but one thing we must remember is to summarize the job interview essay   We often forget that an essay is nothing but a short summary of what we wish to write. But that’s okay. It’s nothing different. But unlike some of the essays you may be used to, there are some things to avoid when writing for a job interview essay. Here are some of the things you need to avoid at all cost.

• Lying about your answers – when writing about what is asked, be careful. Interview questions in an essay may be tricky. Do not make up anything to make your essay sound nice. The interviewer would not be amazed one bit if you lied in your essay. Rather, there is a bigger chance they will not accept you.
• Flowery words – Most of us are guilty with this when writing the essay. It is best to avoid putting flowery words to make it sound like we did these things. Again, your employer has a way of knowing you are being truthful or lying. Avoid this at all costs.
• Too proud – this is often taken for granted but I want to put it right here. Do not boast about the experiences you may not have and write it off as yours. Do not boast about the experiences you have in your essay. You have to remain open and humble.

Things You Should Remember When Writing an Essay

• Voice – keep it professional. The tone in your essay has to be in a professional setting. If you write in a childish manner or as if you are angry at someone, your employer or anyone reading it will surely see that you are not fit for the job.
• Information – write what is asked in the essay. Do not put any other information that is not required nor needed. Example for this information is through a question that goes like this “why should we hire you?” This may sound easy but be very careful as to what you are going to write or say. Do not forget to introduce yourself in your essay.
• Explaining – In some questions in an essay, you are required to explain. Like the sample question above, you must give an explanation in your own words as to why they should hire you. However, avoid saying explanations like “because I am the best”, “I am better than anyone.” This will not only make you lose your opportunity, it is also very rude to tell that to your employer.
• Descriptive – keep your essay as  descriptive as possible . When you are to general in your writing, you are making the person reading confused. Put a little effort to what you are writing.
• Be prepared – when you are going to a job interview, always expect the unexpected. Answer questions as honest as possible.
• Reflect – reflect on what you have written . Understand what you have learned and done. A job interview essay is simply one of many essays you are going to go through.

I want to write about my experiences related to the job, should I write down everything?

Yes you may. As long as you remember that what you are writing is true and correct. As well as be careful on how you word it. Your tone in writing should be professional.

Why am I not allowed to show off my skills in my essay?

Employers are interested in what you have, but they are not interested in the way you talk about it. They prefer to see someone professional talking about their experiences in the same professional tone. Rather than being too cocky.

Is it necessary to know your skills? What if I don’t?

It is better to know what you are good at. When your employer may state you need to write your skills in the essay, you have to be prepared to do so. Ask yourself what you are good at and write it down.

Is there a time limit to writing the essay?

Most companies give a certain amount of time for the applicant to finish the job interview essay. This is so that neither of the two parties are wasting time. Be prepared to write a good essay within a limited amount of time.

Writing a job interview essay can be difficult. It can also be rewarding knowing you did a good job and you have done what you were told to do. Though a job interview essay may not give you the outcome of getting that job, but it is good practice on showing off your skills. Once you find out how to write a good essay for a job interview, all you need to do is to remember the guidelines.

To remember not to be too cocky when writing about your experiences. Do not be too shy either, rather be professional about it. Employers do read your essay, so be careful what you write. Watch your grammar and how you word things as well. This can affect the opportunity of getting that job. With all that being said, I wish you luck.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Describe your preparation process for a job interview in your Job Interview Essay.

Reflect on a successful job interview experience in your Job Interview Essay.

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Essay Samples on Interview

Analysis: interviewing someone from another culture.

An interview was conducted over a local American born and raised in Indiana. The interview session took place at the Purdue Fort Wayne campus and was conducted two times in order to get a sufficient amount of information about her personal culture. No challenges were...

• Cultural Identity

An Interview with the Person from Another Culture: Analysis

For this Culture Interview project, I interviewed a 43-year-old co-worker (not named to respect her wishes) who lived in China for fifteen years; however, she now currently living here in America. Examples of Norms Norms are rules developed for appropriate behavior based on specific values...

Exploring Changes Of Aging In The Interview With Older Person

For my interview assignment, I chose to interview my eighty-seven-year-old neighbor, Diane. She suffers from Type 2 diabetes, she was diagnosed at the age of seven. Diane has been my neighbor for all my life. She resides in Laurel, Mississippi and has been here all...

The Interview With An Older Person: Discussing Aging

What preconceived idea/myth of aging was changed by this experience? When we think about the aging of seniors or old age, we tend to envision seniors’ mentality and physicality declining. The myth of judging an aging seniors state of mind and behaviors is based on...

Issues Brought Up In Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Ask any book lover whether they are in love with Jonathan Safran Foer, and they’ll most likely say, yes. Foer has turned into one of the most successful authors of all time. It is not without good reason that Foer has won multiple awards for...

• Book Review

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Service Learning Interview: Why I Aspire to Join the Service Learning Class

How Do You Envision the Population in the Community That We Will Be Serving? Please elaborate on your fears, concerns, prior experiences, expectations, and perceived challenges. I will be working with kids in grades 2nd-6th who are dealing with various hardships, whether that be living...

• Service Learning

Steps To Get Ready For A Job Interview

Preparing for a job interview we must have a goal, and it should be an attainable goal. After completing college, every student has next phase of life and that is preparing for an interview. Primarily, in today’s world, there is no shortcut for success just...

• Job Interview

Research Analysis On Sexual Decision-Making Of Rural Female Adolescents

The research conducted by Ezer, Leipert, Evans and Regan (2015) on rural heterosexual female adolescent’s decision-making within their sexual lives used a qualitative study design with the focus on individual interviews. Participants were recruited by initial sampling and theoretical sampling. Advertisements for the research were...

• Decision Making
• Sex, Gender and Sexuality

The Specifics of Conducting an Efficient In-Depth Interview

In-Depth Interviews are typically led eye to eye and include one questioner and one member. At the point when security is an issue for the questioner, the nearness of two questioners is suitable (FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL). There is alongside no model in the gathering, all...

Report On The Teammate Interview Assignment

Poor in communication and neglecting developing communication skills leads to various problems when establishing groups, because of the intellectual and cultural differences between individuals and the weakness of each member to explain his ideas to the other members in a sufficient way that ensures their...

• Communication Skills
• Teamwork Satisfaction

Investigating Learning Domains Application Through Interviews

The best professional to interview is a teacher because they meet people with different characters and they have to know how to relate with those individuals. A high school teacher was interviewed and the interview took place at the school where he was teaching. In...

• Learning Styles

Important Things For Interview To Get A Professional Job

Preparing for interview In this modern scenario, deciding the correct employee for job is not a simple assignment, and it frequently requires lots of work to choose best candidate, for example, information gathering, screenings, investigation and talking before really utilizing the representatives for interviewer. Talking...

Best topics on Interview

1. Analysis: Interviewing Someone From Another Culture

2. An Interview with the Person from Another Culture: Analysis

3. Exploring Changes Of Aging In The Interview With Older Person

4. The Interview With An Older Person: Discussing Aging

5. Issues Brought Up In Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

6. Service Learning Interview: Why I Aspire to Join the Service Learning Class

7. Steps To Get Ready For A Job Interview

8. Research Analysis On Sexual Decision-Making Of Rural Female Adolescents

9. The Specifics of Conducting an Efficient In-Depth Interview

10. Report On The Teammate Interview Assignment

11. Investigating Learning Domains Application Through Interviews

12. Important Things For Interview To Get A Professional Job

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• Career Goals
• Personality
• Perseverance
• Childhood Lessons

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The Australian Professor Who Turned Breaking on Its Head

Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, displayed some … unique moves as she competed in a field with breakers half her age. The judges and the internet were underwhelmed.

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By Dodai Stewart and Talya Minsberg

Reporting from Paris

Breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport Friday, and among the competitors was Dr. Rachael Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, who stood out in just about every way.

By day, her research interests include “dance, gender politics, and the dynamics between theoretical and practical methodologies.” But on the world’s stage in Paris, wearing green track pants and a green polo shirt instead of the street-style outfits of her much younger fellow breakers, she competed against the 21-year-old Logan Edra of the United States, known as Logistx.

During the round robin, as Raygun and Logistx faced off, Raygun laid on her side, reached for her toes, spun around, and threw in a kangaroo hop — a nod to her homeland. She performed a move that looked something like swimming and another that could best be described as duckwalking. The high-speed back and head spins that other breakers would demonstrate were mostly absent.

The crowd cheered Raygun politely. The judges weren’t as kind. All nine voted for Logistx in both rounds of the competition; Logistx won, 18-0.

Online, Raygun’s performance quickly became a sensation, not necessarily in a flattering way.

“The more I watch the videos of Raygun, the Aussie breaker, the more I get annoyed,” one viewer posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There’s 27.7 million Australians in the world and that’s who they send to the Olympics for this inaugural event??? C’mon now!”

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