how to write a good article interview

Tip: Select questions for interview that best fit your approach. Avoid typical interview questions and ask questions that are intriguing. For example, instead of asking, “How did you achieve your success in tennis?” ask, “They call you the ‘next Federer’ … what three qualities do you think you share with the Swiss tennis player?”

2. Structure of the article

Once you have narrowed down the questions you wish to address and have conducted the interview ( here you can find a comprehensive guide on how to interview someone for an article ), the next step is to actually write the article. Here is where you have endless options and can get your creative juices to flow in terms of how you wish to structure the article. If there isn’t a specific code you need to follow, I would say that these days there isn’t one winning rule. Most writers feel the need to post the picture, questions and answers in a logical sequence. Which is not bad, but then again chances are this makes for a rather boring interview article.

Before anything else, you need to choose the perspective from which you wish to write the article. There are roughly three perspectives you can use:

You can stick with one of the first two perspectives for the entire article, or you can use the hybrid one depending on the dynamic and tone you want to give to the article.

Also, make sure you have a strong start and ending as these are the pillars of your structure. Choose the most provocative questions and answers to be featured at the beginning and at the end so that this way you keep the interest of the reader from start to finish. Moreover, you can insert some of the main answers as quotes to break the article and make it less boring.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the actual interview might be full of half sentences, unspoken words or sudden changes of topic. To make the interview readable, you’ll have to rephrase most sentences. And when it comes to rephrasing, there’s a simple rule of thumb:

Rephrase as much as you like, but don’t change the message.

Nonetheless, try and make it attractive . Starting from the title and ending with the last answer, always keep in mind this: “How can I put things so that it’s appealing for the reader?” Look for the most interesting stuff and reorder the questions of the interview if needed so that you give readers the feeling that they have just read the story of a conversation and not a cold sharp interview. Add suggestive photos, insert quotes and let your emotions guide you. Remember, you’re in complete control at this point!

Tip: Try to give the interview article some sort of narrative or structure, without making it too linear and logical. In the end, just ask yourself if it’s something you’d enjoy reading.

3. Magazine article interview examples to get inspired from

Finding it hard to be creative? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Luckily, if you’re stuck in a rut, there are plenty of magazine interview article examples on the Internet to draw inspiration from. I’ve selected a few of the ones that I have enjoyed reading, and remember, even if you’re probably never going to interview Adele or Brad Pitt, articles like this can plant an idea in your mind or awaken your creative buds. It can be anything from the title, the layout of the interview article, to the questions, the perspective from which it is written and so on. Serena Williams’ interview for Vogue , as well as Adele’s one for Vanity Fair are some impressive articles that somehow manage to bring these big stars closer to the public by sharing some candid moments and information with the readers. Brad Pitt’s interview for GQ magazine is rather an interesting one since it’s a roller coaster of perspectives, questions, emotions and quite artistic pictures that altogether reveal a different side of the actor.

However, if these interview articles are a bit too much, on our blog you can find some interviews to start with, like this one with Debbie Millman or this one featuring Jacob Cass . You’re really just one click away from a plethora of interview articles.

Tip: Don’t copy other interview articles, but use them rather as an inspiration and add the missing pieces in order to make your own greater.

Writing an interview article can be quite challenging and overwhelming at times, but as long as you keep in mind the above-mentioned tips, you should be on a good path. And remember, there isn’t a one rule applies to all. You can make it as fun or as serious as you want. Just ask yourself at the end if it’s something you’d really enjoy reading.

26 Comments

cool reading! I agree. The most popular articles and most shared are the interview ones by far. Maybe Flipsnack could do a series of Interview articles with relevant people in the industry or most engaged or relevant Flipsnack users. Good job with this article! ;)

Hey, we’re glad you enjoyed the article! That’s a very good suggestion and definitely something we’re planing on doing this year! :)

Thanks for this post. It helped me write my first interview for my blog which received great feedback!

Thank you for your feedback, Angela! Glad to know that it was helpful!:)

REEEEEEEEEEE

very helpful

It is very helpful. This interview article is very interesting. I enjoyed reading.

Thank you for the feedback! Glad to know you’ve enjoyed it!

This is a great article. Thank you.

Thank you for your kind words!

Diana, Very informative article. I’m a novice writer, and I might be landing an article for a local publication on a demo lady at our local grocery store. I got the idea after years of stopping for a sample of cheese, or whatever, and making light conversation. One day, a small boy came up to her and handed a piece of candy, telling her he loved her. She replied, “I love you too, Eli.” She confided in me that one regular customer suffered from severe depression and told Sally that no matter what kind of day she was having, she knew she could come to the store, find Sally with her smile, and feel much better about the day and herself. I want to write about this food sample lady!! Any fun questions I could ask her? Any idea as to how I could direct this interview, focusing on one or two main ideas? Thanks!

Thank you for your kind words, Tonya and for taking the time to share this story with us. First thing that came to my mind after reading this is what Ellen DeGeneres always emphasizes in her show and not only, which is the importance of being kind one to another. I think you can focus your article on the idea that no matter where you are and what job you have (to oneself it might seem an insignificant one) you still have this power to have an impact on other people’s lives. Big or small, one can make a change in this world by practicing kindness on an everyday basis. And Sally is a very good representation of that. Some interesting questions I think you could ask her are Who or what inspires her in her day-to-day life? Or if she has any memory of an unexpected kind gesture she has received from someone? And if so, what impact did that have on her life? Depending on the tone you want to set for the article, you can ask questions in a more familiar way, such as “I’ve seen you light up the day for many customers that walk into the grocery store. Where do you draw your inspiration from to practice kindness on a regular basis?” These are just a few that came to my mind. Here’s a cool article about kindness, perhaps it helps you. Just trust your instinct and I’m sure you’ll do just fine :)

what up dawg this is a good article.

This is such a well-written article! Love the structure and the way you communicate with the reader. Good tips, will definitely use them.

Thank you, Rhea for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed it!

Someone help me my teacher is making me read this article… HELP!!!

This was a great read! I am struggling with how I can format an interview-magazine- like a story for my school. How should I start it? I have my questions listed, just wondering on how I can start it? Any tips?

Hi Regina! Thank you for your kind feedback. I’d say that once you have all the questions ready, just start writing it. Make a short introduction so that you don’t just dive in directly into the interview and from there on just do whatever feels natural. Don’t overthink! I’m sure it will turn out just great! :)

Do you have sample online interview responses? Meaning, you sent the one being interviewed a list of questions via email.

Hi Sara! We had a series of interviews on our blog and I’ve sent the questions via email to the interviewees and received their answers. You can check the final result and read some of the interviews on our blog. Here is one of them . Hope this helps! :)

This was such a useful article and thank you! I will definitely be referring to it over the next week while I complete my English assignment. Do you have any tips on how I could start my Interview? I have all the content, but I am unsure of what the best way to start it would be. Thank you again for the fantastic article.

Thank you, Holly, for your kind words! Glad you found it useful! Well, it depends on the type of interview. I’d say you could start by making a short introduction about the person you’re interviewing/ the topic (if there is a certain one). And from there on just go ahead and ask the questions. I’m sure you’ll do a great job! Best of luck! :)

Hi Diana, Thank you for this post. I will be starting a new section on my blog where I will interview Women in Business. I plan to write the articles interview style so this has been very helpful. I plan to write it Literal style. Thank you again Raheela

Hi Raheela! I’m glad you found it useful. Thank you for your kind feedback and good luck with your new interviews section!

Hey! Thank you so much for the article. I am using it in class with my students :)

thank you, it gonna help me for my exam

Is your company spending too much on print? Useful tips for budget cuts

How to design a fashion magazine like Vogue cover

How to design a fashion magazine like Vogue [+templates]

The online flipbook maker.

Create a digital magazine

Make an online catalog, create a digital brochure, make a digital newsletter, help center, flipsnack academy.

How to Write a Profile or Interview-Based Article

The process from interview to conclusion.

A profile is a feature with one very pivotal point and focus—a certain individual who is noteworthy or exemplary in some way. Your readers want to know as much about him as possible. But they don't want the surface stuff, information that's available in untold other articles about him. They want something new. They want something intriguing. And so do the editors who will consider buying your work.

Mastering that art and learning how to write a good profile article can translate into a great new skill for freelance writers , but even seasoned journalists can sometimes have trouble with them. Anyone can benefit from brushing up on the basics because these are among the main types of pieces published in magazines and newspapers.

The Nuts and Bolts of a Profile Article

The person or subject of this type of article typically fits into a special niche of the magazine or has a new program or product to promote. Generally, her achievements, background, and personality are the focus of the article. So how do you get her personality and voice to come through in your writing? As with all types of writing, it can be a bit tricky, but you can follow some prescribed steps and refine them to your own style.

This method not only builds the article around your subject's voice, but it also tends to get from transcript to rough draft fairly quickly—a real bonus when time is money.

Interview Your Subject

First, you must deal with conducting the actual interview. You can't write an article, much less a profile piece, if you don't have all the underlying information.

You'll wrap up your interview either with a set of notes or a sound recording, but preferably both. It's usually a bad idea to rely entirely on written notes, particularly in this day and age when you don't have to. You're likely to miss telling voice tones and possibly inferences if you're so busy scribbling everything down that you're not really listening.

Not only that, but you're not engaging your target either. You're busy jotting down the information you think you need—today, right now, before you've really begun fleshing out your profile. If you're really listening to your subject as he speaks, you might be surprised at the questions that pop into your mind as you go along. If you're curious about his answers, the odds are strong that your readers will be as well. Stay on your toes.

If you do take written notes, be sure to tidy up them up and double check any special spellings or names while the interview and the interviewee are still fresh in your mind. Otherwise, commit the entire interview to a recording. Then you can sit down later and listen and transcribe what was said. And you'll always have the recording to refer back to if you later have questions.

Organize Your Data

If you use a recording device, you might want to consider hiring a transcriptionist to put the recording into writing for you. They're surprisingly affordable, and you can deduct the cost as a business expense come tax time. But some writers are actually fleet enough of fingers to do this themselves, and it can be beneficial.

Make a one-time, tax-deductible purchase of a dictation recorder and machine, the kind that is used in offices all over the country. Transfer the recording to tape, pop the tape into the machine, and begin typing with a handy little foot pedal that lets you pause the recording when you need to catch up.

This can be a worthwhile purchase if you do a lot of writing that involves interviews. And here's the bonus. When you hit periods of conversation that really don't contribute anything to your profile, you can fast-forward right through them. You'll still have them there on tape if you want to go back to them later, but, again, time is money. Don't waste yours typing words of dialogue you'll never use, or highlighting numerous pages of a transcript you had someone else type for you word for word.

You'll want to limit this period of lag time to a day or two at most, however. You risk losing your gut impressions and instincts—not to mention your motivation—if too much time passes between the interview and when you begin actually writing. And you don't want to wake up yawning one morning to realize that the finished product is due today and you haven't even gotten past this step yet. But you know that already, right? Freelancing for a living requires superhuman discipline.

Review the Transcript

Now it's time to review your transcript or notes. Identify broad subjects that stick out to you. Are there any recurring items, events, or ideas that this person seems to keep going back to? Is anything mentioned twice, three times, or with great passion? Try to gather at least three to five broad subjects from this first reading.

In a perfect world, your interview subject left the door open, and you can go back with a quick phone call to clarify these high points or get additional information.

Narrow Your Focus

Narrow down these broad items. This is a good time to reread the assignment from your editor or, if you're working on something you've pitched to an editor, read over your own pitch. If you haven't even pitched the idea or if you're just flying with this, go back to your original notes.

Was a particular, specific slant mentioned anywhere, such as concentration on the subject's recent accomplishments or promotion of a certain service? Compare your broad subjects to any research on the person that you might have done even before the interview took place. Compare them to your editor's directives or to your own goals. Pull out and refine these broad subject areas and place them temporarily in your transcript as your subheads. You can rename them to catchy subhead titles now, or you can wait until you have a finished product so you can be sure the subheads really grab the gist of the subject area.

Cut and Paste

Use your word processing program's cut-and-paste function to pull the interviewee's quotes about each topic into the appropriate subhead area. Of course, this is easiest if you transcribed the interview recording yourself, but plenty of software programs out there let you scan and edit a transcript typed by someone else if you didn't receive it in a word processor file.

Now you're pulling the subject's words out of the chronological order in which he spoke them, but that's OK. In fact, it's ideal. You're not just rewriting what he said. You're writing a profile.

It's not necessary to pull whole paragraphs. At this point, you'll have a feeling for the direction that your article is taking. Get the best quotes sorted and just leave the rest for future reference.

Practice Your Craft

By now you should have three to five subtitles, depending on your target length, and some great quotes about each of those topics. It's time to tell your readers why all the subtitles are important.

Use transitional phrasing, such as "Mr. Blank agrees..." or "Ms. SoAndSo makes this clear when she..." to move into your subject's quotes. Finish out the paragraph, subtitle, or idea with more research or exposition, and wrap it up or transition it to the next subtitle.

Write Your Introduction

Write the introduction . This step depends on your own writing style and preferences.

Many writers prefer to do this first before fleshing out their subtitles. It can establish some internal guidelines for the subtitles and help you get things sorted out in your own mind as to where you're going with this story. But whether you do it before or after you flesh out your subtitles, introduce the subject, her history, and the background of your piece. The introduction should reflect on the article in general, and it should also frame the interviewee in some way.

Now wrap things up with your conclusion . It often alludes back to the introduction or some interesting part of the interview. You can also use it to give a look ahead to the interviewee's future plans.

No, you're not done yet. Now reread. Revise. Rewrite. And repeat.

Tips From Start to Finish

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

How Do You Write an Interview Paper: 8 Best Practices

Table of contents

You know what an interview is and what writing an essay constitutes. But does that make writing an interview paper a cakewalk? Not quite.

Considering all the planning and pre-work this assignment requires, it can prove to be an exhausting and intimidating experience for students.

In this article, we will tell you how to write an interview paper and do a good job at it.

Order Now: High-Quality Interview Paper, Written from Scratch

What is an interview paper.

An interview paper is an academic essay that focuses on providing different viewpoints or perspectives on a particular subject or topic by interviewing one or more people and gathering enough knowledge and research to write a stellar paper .

The most important difference is that, unlike other essay writing assignments where your references and sources are scholarly books and reading materials, interview essays build up on your sources being people who are authentic and authoritative in their field.

How Do You Write an Interview Paper that Stands Out

Wondering how to get started? Here are eight best practices to help you write an interview paper that gets you the grades you desire.

Plan your time beforehand

It may feel overwhelming and daunting to do so much before conducting your interview for you to start writing your interview paper, but it’s always better to be prepared and plan your time accordingly than to leave it for the last minute and work on it as it comes.

To do this efficiently:

Keep in mind that if you plan on doing an hour or a 2-hour long interview, make time slots as per the number of questions you need to ask and give your interviewee enough time to answer all your questions.

Identify the purpose of the paper

The primary purpose of the paper will determine your subject, and the topics that the paper will cover, introduce new concepts, and resonate with your readers.

Suppose your paper is about an opinionated statement. In that case, it is advisable to get an interview from an authoritative figure who is related to and has enough knowledge to give valuable insights on the subject matter.

On the other hand, if your paper is about a public view or subject, it is important to gather the viewpoints of multiple people to understand different perspectives on one central issue.

Finally, if your paper is on a medical, health, or scientific topic, it is best practice to take your interview someone who has expert knowledge in these fields.

Research the subject matter

For you to write on a specific subject matter and conduct an interview with someone based on their expertise, you need to first thoroughly research the subject topic, delve into the history and background of the topic to understand it better, and write an effective and quality paper on it.

To make the research process easier you can:

Create a list and prepare your questions

When you're preparing to conduct an interview for your paper, list down all the questions that you would want to ask your interviewee. These questions will mostly come up during your research and brainstorming.

Brainstorm and ask yourself several ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions to include in the interview, to make it easier to gather factual information.

Asking open-ended ‘how’ or ‘why’ questions to your interviewee will focus on understanding in-depth explanations and help you find additional background information that was not found during the initial research.

Asking quality questions is a very critical part of writing a great interview paper, and if your research is thorough, coming up with interesting and powerful questions will be no problem.

Here’s an interesting video by Kirstine on asking good qualitative interview questions

Conduct a face-to-face interview

Once you have all your questions ready and are prepared to conduct the interview, it is time for you to contact and invite your resource person. Always keep in mind to interview someone who is an authority on the subject matter that you’re writing your interview paper on.

When inviting, explain to them who you are, and tell them the reasons why you chose them for the interview. Keep an alternate or a backup resource person in case the first interviewee refuses to give an interview or can’t make it.

Choose a peaceful and quiet place as the interview site, with absolutely no distractions. Reach this site well before time to prepare and be ready to take the interview. If you’re unable to meet in person, do it over a video conferencing call.

Conducting a face-to-face interview is more effective as it makes it more personal and minimizes miscommunication.

Ask for consent before recording and take notes

If it’s an in-person conversation, or a telephone or video interview, it is always good practice to ask your interviewee for consent or a written agreement before recording the meeting, videotaping the interview, and using their words or their image for your paper.

Even if you are recording the interview, always take notes of all the valuable insights that your interviewee is giving about your paper’s topic, as this will not only speed up the writing process but also help you highlight important points during the discussion.

Recording your interview can also help in avoiding misunderstandings and misinterpretations and make it easier to understand your interviewee’s context.

After you thank your interviewee for their time and thoughts, note down your impressions of the interview, to properly articulate and know what to use and write in your interview paper.

Create an outline and format your paper

Now that you have all the information you need to craft an excellent interview paper. The next crucial step for you is to create an outline for your paper to bring structure and create a flow between each paragraph and, eventually, throughout your paper.

Your interview paper should have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion . Your introductory paragraph should contain information and be phrased in such a way that it grabs the attention of your readers, making them want to read further.

Respect the interviewee’s opinions and thoughts and clearly state the ideas that were your own and the ones that were from your resource person.

Decide what format you would like your interview paper to be in:

Cite your paper well

If you have used additional resources or supplementary materials in the body paragraphs of your interview paper, cite your sources. Even if they were just for research purposes or gathering background information about your interviewee, it is very important to specify your sources and cite them properly.

Make sure that any direct quote that has been used in your paper has quotation marks to avoid unintentional plagiarism .

Mastering the art of how you write an interview paper is no easy feat. It is time-consuming and takes practice to be good at it.

Consider keeping our effective and simple best practices to elevate your writing and interviewing skills, helping you score well in this assignment.

Still, wondering how you write an interview paper? Writers Per Hour can help.

Our team of expert interview paper writers can help you put together a high-scoring interview paper written from scratch. From planning and research to drafting, editing, and proofreading, our writers are equipped to help you every step of the way.

Last edit at Dec 25 2022

Adela Belin

What does your service do?

We write original and plagiarism-free papers from scratch. Please take a look at how it works.

Do you have free essay samples?

Yes, we have free essay samples, and you can check them out here.

How much does it cost?

The price depends on several factors you can check our prices and discounts.

How to order my essay?

To start your order, please go here and fill out the form online.

Share this article

By entering your email above you agree to receive our periodical marketing emails. We do not sell or share your personal information.

Thanks for the subscription!

You’ve just made a terrific decision. Please make sure to check your inbox for the discount code.

How to Write a News Article: Home

Why Write News?

Thinks news is dead? As one noted reporter, Mark Twain, described it, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

Many newspapers are still thriving and even more internet news sources are coming online every day. The internet follows the same conventions as print news outlined in the tabs above, so there’s a growing need for writers who can gather and report information in all industries.

The person who can communicate has the advantage professionally. Every industry has a need for communications in public relations, education, sales, promotions, even business development. Being able to write lets you take your career in multiple directions.

In addition to Journalism and Mass Communication classes, St. Petersburg College's student newspaper – the Sandbox – is the perfect place for you to develop and refine your writing. Follow the tabs above from left to right to create an article. Then send it in here!

The Sandbox is open to any student and any kind of news:

What can you dream up?

Professional Journalism Sites

IMAGES

5 Essential Tips for Publishing Great Interviews
Interview Article Example
Writing the Interview
How To Write An Interview Article Examples
Interview based article example
Download General Topics For Essay Writing In Interviews Tips

VIDEO

The Profile Essay: Interview and Writing
Week 4 ELA 6 WRITE UP Interview Report

COMMENTS

How to Write an Interview Article in 6 Steps
1. Come up with a list of good questions. · 2. Interview your subject. · 3. Transcribe your interview. · 4. Determine your article's format. · 5.
How to Write Up an Interview-Based Article
Review the transcript and plan what you want to include. · Decide how you're going to structure your article. · Write up the interview, editing
How to write an interview article for a magazine
2. Structure of the article · Literal: write down the questions, followed by the literal/ only slightly rephrased answers (the classic Q and A);
How To Write an Interview Essay (With Example Questions)
How to write an interview essay · 1. Think about your essay's purpose · 2. Research your subjects and brainstorm questions · 3. Schedule and
How to Write a Profile or Interview-Based Article
The process from interview to conclusion · The Nuts and Bolts of a Profile Article · Interview Your Subject · Organize Your Data · Review the
How To write an Interview Article
Writing an interview article for a magazine can be a challenging task. If you wonder where to start from and how to write an interview
From Interview to Article
A recipe for turning your interview notes into a great read ... information, facts and your own writing – to get a complete article. A full article which
How Do You Write an Interview Paper: 8 Best Practices
Plan your time beforehand · Identify the purpose of the paper · Research the subject matter · Create a list and prepare your questions · Conduct a
How to Write a Profile Feature Article
1. Know the rules of attribution. · 2. Ask open questions, be a good listener, and probe for anecdotes. · 3. Prepare for your interviews. · 4. Interview with
How to Write a News Article: How to Interview
About Interviewing · Introduce yourself, so the person you're speaking with sees your notebook or tape recorder. · Don't try to write down every