CM 220 Unit 3 Seminar

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Primary and Secondary Sources

Interviews

UNIT 3 ACTIVITIES Reading:

Introduction to unit on communication, writing and speaking, and listening skills

Schamberger, M. (1997). Elements of quality in a qualitative research interview. S. A. Archives Journal, 3925. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

Cloud, J. (2010, November 29). Strike a pose. Time, 176(22), 61. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

Writing Center resources on primary and secondary research and interviewing

Invention lab: Select a speech related to your “big idea” to analyze(40 points)

Seminar: Sources; Conducting interviews and discussion of listening skills (10 points)

Tech lab: Creating websites (Kaplan optimal resume website builder, Google sites, Weebly, GoDaddy)

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Purpose of U3 Assignments• Discuss what constitutes effective

communication• Review effective listening skills• Prepare for the unit 4 project, which

includes an interview worksheet and discussion of 3 secondary sources

• Note: You do not have to conduct the interview, or, if conducted, use it as a source in your project, but this is a great chance to get interviewing experience!

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PRIMARY SOURCESPrimary source:“A primary source is a document or physical object

which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event. Some types of primary sources include: ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records 

CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art 

RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings “ (What is a primary source, 2009).

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PRIMARY SOURCESExamples of primary sources include: Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a

Jewish family during WWII  The Constitution of Canada - Canadian

History  A journal article reporting NEW research or

findings  Weavings and pottery - Native American

history  Plato's Republic - Women in Ancient Greece 

(What is a primary source, 2009)

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SECONDARY SOURCESSECONDARY SOURCES:“A secondary source interprets and analyzes

primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Some types of seconday sources include: PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias ” (What is a primary source, 2009)

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SECONDARY SOURCESEXAMPLES OF SECONDARY

SOURCES:A journal/magazine article which

interprets or reviews previous findings 

A history textbook  A book about the effects of WWI 

(What is a primary source, 2009).

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Finding Secondary Sources Kaplan Library (see library presentation

in Doc Sharing, as well as video on library home page)

Google Scholar Other databases with peer-reviewed

works Newspapers and appropriate magazines Sites like NPR and PBS

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Evaluation Setting Speaker’s appearance Body language and eye contact Word choice, tone, inflections Organization of response What isn’t said

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Understanding Context• Everything is written (or spoken) to

someone for some purpose. The email you send to your sister should be written differently than a proposal you send to a business client, and a speech delivered to a group of second graders would differ from the President speaking to Congress.

• Knowing the audience, purpose, and the context is vitally important to good writing and speaking. Ask yourself: – Why am I writing or saying this? – Who is my audience? – What am I trying to say?

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Writing v. Speaking

Writing Writing only uses

words Message must be

clearly and correctly written to convey ideas

Demonstrate competence by using Standard American English

Speaking Speaking uses

words, tone, gestures, facial expressions, posture, eye contact

May be accompanied by visual aids (Power Point, etc.)

Appearance is important

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INTERVIEWSIs this a PRIMARY or SECONDARY source?What are the benefits of conducting an

interview?Is all interview information useful and

reliable?How do you determine what information is

useful and reliable?

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HOW TO CONDUCT AN INTERVIEW1. Select interview subject 2. Prepare for interview3. Conduct interview4. Follow up

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SELECT AN INTERVIEWEEWho would be a good source of

information for your subject?How well known is this person? Is this

person an expert on the subject? How do you locate this person? How do you request and schedule an

interview?

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PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEWResearch your intervieweeEstablish a goal or purpose for the

interviewPrepare questions in advancePrioritize the questions

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COMING UP WITH QUESTIONSAsk yourself: “What do I need to know?”

Write a list of things you want to find out

Write a list of questions that will help your interviewee discuss this information

Avoid biased questions: “Don’t you think we could improve campus parking by building another parking garage?”

Check the questions carefully to see if the wording could be offensive to your interviewee (How to conduct an interview, 2008).

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YES/NO v OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONSYes/no questions can be answered with a

simple yes or no. They may not be very productive or illicit much information.

Ask open-ended, questions that allow the interviewee to explain, clarify and defend an idea.

Yes/no: Will you support the new tax increase?

Open Ended: How will increased taxes benefit or hurt local businesses?

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DURING THE INTERVIEWBe gracious and thank the person for his or her

time.

Respect this person’s time by being on time and prepared.

Pay attention to what the person is saying and use the opportunity to ask follow up questions.

Take notes or record the interview (with permission)

Stick to the subject but be flexible.

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LISTENING SKILLSWhen you interview or are the subject of

an interview, listening is a very important skill.

Look at your interviewee. We learn a lot from a person’s facial expressions, tone, posture, eye contact.

How can you show you are listening and paying attention?

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FOLLOW UPA follow up thank you note would be

appropriate.

Transcribe your notes as quickly as possible after the interview.

Give the interviewee an opportunity to review the notes to be sure they are accurate.

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Unit 4 Project• Describe the interviewee and reflect on why

this person would be helpful for your research

• Discuss any research you have done on the topic

• Come up with three open-ended and three closed-ended questions and discuss your reasons for asking them

• Anticipate answers to questions• Come up with additional questions

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Selecting a Subject Topic: Creating healthier school lunches Possible interviewee: Melody Turner, the

director of Food Services in Wilson County, TN

Preparation for interview: Wilson County Food Services web site, articles in Health Source and ERIC databases in KU Library

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Possible Interview Questions Will improving nutritional quality of meals lead

to better academic performance as well as healthier kids?

Should all students be required to purchase school meals once these changes are made to ensure that everyone is eating healthier?

Should schools be required to have a certain amount of fresh fruits and vegetables (not canned, frozen, or otherwise processed) in the meal plan?

How can our local school district increase the nutritional value of meals?

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YOUR TURNWhom would you like to interview and why?

What questions would you like to ask?

What kind of information would you like to get from the interview?

How will you arrange the interview?

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WORKSHOPPartner with a classmate in Private Messaging.In what is your partner an expert?Prepare 2-3 questions about that topic.Interview your partner.Report your findings.

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