Conducting an Oral History Interview

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By Marianne BatesMay 2011

Interview a living personFind someone who lived through an interesting historical event or time period

Ask questionsGather information and memoriesRecord their answers

What is oral history?

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Choose someone to interview:GrandparentsOther family memberNeighborFamily friendAn acquaintance from Boy Scouts,

church, or a civic organization

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Face to faceVideoTape recording/ MP3

Letter or emailTelephone call

Select a method of interviewing:

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Acquire background knowledge to ask good questions

Use a variety of sourcesPioneer LibraryInternet sourcesLibrary sources (use subject search)

Cite sourcesTake notes

Research background information:

Create a list of questions: Background Information (3-4)General questions about the time

period (3-4)Specific questions about the

person’s experiences (5-6)Follow-up questions as neededAsk them to tell storiesDo not interrupt or correct what

they sayblogs.sun.com

NotebookPens or pencilsTape recorder, video recorder, MP-3 playerBackground info—jog your memoryQuestionsWater

Prepare for the interview:

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Arrive earlySet up and test equipmentChoose a room without outside noise or

distractionsProvide a comfortable chairProvide water and refreshmentsHelp the interviewee feel relaxed and at easeSpeak slowly, loudly and clearlyStart with easy questions

Carry out the interview:

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Say thank youChat about what you learned togetherTell your interviewee what you will do with the interviewLabel everything you have information on (video tape, cassette tape, notes, etc.)Make a transcription of your interviewSend one to the interviewee with a thank you

letter

Following up after the interview

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The Great DepressionWorld War IIKorean WarVietnam WarCold WarFall of the Berlin WarRefugees or Immigrants to the U.S.Gulf War

Ideas for Oral History Projects

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Powell, Kimberly. "Oral history step-by-step." About.com: Genealogy. 2009. About.com. 25 Mar 2009 <http://genealogy.about.com/od/oral_history/ss/oral_history.htm>.

Works Cited