Before you dive into writing the article, you should set aside some time to create an outline. As well, if you have any controversial or possibly offensive questions to ask the subject, save them for last.Ĭreate an article outline. Don’t be afraid to contact the source with follow-up questions as your research continues.Make sure you end the interview with the question: “Is there anything I haven’t asked you about this topic that I should know about?” You can also ask for referrals to other sources by asking, “Who disagrees with you on your stance on this issue?” and “Who else should I talk to about this issue?”.The interview should be about the subject, not about you. For example, rather than asking, "Did you witness the test trials of this drug?" You can present an open-ended question, "What can you tell me about the test trials of this drug?" Be an active listener and try to minimize the amount of talking you do during the interview. Ask open-ended questions, avoid yes or no questions.Be specific in your questions, as interviewees usually like to see that you have done previous research and are aware of the source’s background. Research the source’s background and level of expertise. Prepare a list of questions before the interview.Use a tape recorder and take notes during the interview, as recorders can fail. You can conduct the interviews over the phone or via video chat, but in-person interviews are usually the most successful. Once you get your sources to agree to sit down face to face for an interview, you will need to interview them to build trust and rapport but also getting good quotes you can use in the article. Try to present a well-rounded approach to your research so you do not appear biased or slanted in your research. Make sure you check if any of the claims made by an author have been disputed by other experts in the field or have been challenged by other experts. Be wary of websites online that contain lots of advertisements or those that are not affiliated with a professionally recognized association or field of study. You should ensure any texts you use as part of your research are credible and accurate.
If you are doing a magazine article on dying bee populations in California, for example, you should try to read texts written by at least two bee experts and/or a beekeeper who studies bee populations in California. Look for content written by experts in the field that relates to your article idea.Good quotes from sources can often make or break your credibility as a writer and lead to a stronger article.
Read through research material like articles, books, videos, and social media posts. Take the time to locate good sources and read any necessary supplementary material to help you get a better sense of the article idea. One of the key elements of a good magazine article is good research. Research your article idea using sources like books and published texts. Do they end on a poignant quote? An interesting image? Or do they have a bold, concluding thought?