Ms. Gokturk
Journalism
The
Profile Piece
YOUR TASK: Write
a 1000 word profile piece about your classmate for the publication of your
choice*.
YOUR MISSION: Over the course of at least THREE interviews,
identify and explore an interesting dominant impression of your partner.
As you conduct your interviews, you
will note that items may surface that may be more interesting than where you
initially thought you were heading. This
is a good thing: go with it! In this case, your focus will shift. Let the
questions evolve to pursue
interesting points and note them by simply jotting down some general ideas.
Also try to write down any interesting quotes verbatim to be used as quotes
later.
The ultimate goal of your interview
is to unearth the essence and points of interest of your subject, a human being
in your class. You are not trying to include every item about the
person.
Pre-Interview
- Describe
your subject’s physical description, body language, behavior.
- In
your notes, describe your first impression. What is your assessment of the
person? What do you think makes them tick?
- Also
write what already know about this person (hobbies, activities, family,
neighborhood, memories, etc.)
1st INTERVIEW
- Don’t
take a whole lot of notes. Chat
informally, looking for topics of interest. FIND THE GLUE. Start with obvious and try to get to
know what makes this person special and interesting. Ask him/her how
others perceive him/her and if this is accurate, etc.
- Get
your subject’s phone number and/or email Facebook him/her and/or IM, etc.
Before 2nd
Interview, prepare 20 questions, interesting questions to elaborate on glue
and/or to find unlikely topics.
INTERVIEW 2 Have
prepared at least 20 questions prior to help you focus.
- Use
your questions to focus your interview, but don’t be afraid to veer off
track,
- Also,
keeping the glue in mind, be sure to ask to subject to talk about their
past in relation to the topic you have chosen to write about. Focus on the
past of this topic. Build up to today.
Before 3rd
Interview, review your notes and add questions with which to follow up.
INTERVIEW 3
- The
purpose of this interview is to fill in the blanks and to focus
on the details of the person’s experience in the topic area. Now you
are looking for more direct quotes, contact info; ask your subject to
reconstruct the details…
- Consider
how the future plays into the subject’s glue.
INTERVIEW 4 The
Others
- Find
at least 2-3 sources who can comment on this person and the topic. Create
a short questionnaire of 3-5 questions that will elicit interesting
direct quotes. Aim to have at least ONE be an AUTHORITY on your
person. The others should know the subject well in relation to the glue.
*Please bring a magazine of your choice to serve as a model
for writing and layout.