Strong interviews are the secret ingredient behind standout yearbook stories. They provide the quotes, details and emotion that turn a spread from ordinary to memorable. This week’s Timely Tips shows your staff how to move past surface-level questions and into conversations that actually capture the heart of the story.
Start simple, then build
Every interview has to begin somewhere, and it usually starts with the basics. Who was there? What happened? Where did it take place? These quick details establish a foundation. But the magic happens when staffers stop treating interviews like a checklist and instead use those answers as springboards for better questions.
Go beyond yes or no
A student who only asks, “Did you have fun?” will get nothing more than a one-word response. Teach them to listen closely and follow up with curiosity. If the interviewee shares something unexpected, let that guide the next question. When conversations feel natural, sources are more likely to open up and share the moments that matter.
Practice with purpose
This Timely Tips lesson gives students a way to build interviewing skills in stages. Partner work helps them get comfortable. Trading roles add variety. Bringing in a guest pushes them to adapt and dig deeper. By the end, they’ll know how to ask questions that uncover both the facts and the feelings
From questions to stories
Great interviews always pay off in the writing. A buzzing backstage before opening night, sleepy band members stepping off buses at dawn, or a late-night push to meet a deadline – all of these scenes came from reporters who knew how to ask the right questions.
Ready to practice?
This Timely Tips lesson is designed to help your staff make interviews less intimidating and more productive. Have them try out the activities, then challenge them to write a story lead from the answers they collect.
