Radio Talk/Interview (Leaving Cert English): Revision Notes

Radio Talk/Interview

Interview Structure:

1. Publication/Station/Show:

• Mention the name of your publication, radio station, or TV show.
• A "jingle", signalling the beginning of a new segment could be simply written down as a "funky jingle"

2. Introduction:

• State the name of the person you are interviewing.
• Provide some brief background information about them.

3. Dialogue Format:

• Give each speaker a new line each time they ask or answer a question.
• Use the initials of the speaker before their question/answer each time.

4. Interviewer's Role:

• The interviewer's questions and comments should be short (one sentence).
• The interviewer's tone is usually fairly neutral.

5. Interviewee's Role:

• The interviewee can answer in more detail, usually in a short paragraph.
• The interviewee's tone is usually relaxed and chatty.

6. Closing:

• End the interview with some information about the book, film, concert, etc.

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Using TAGS to Plan Your Response:

Topic: The details of the interviewer and interviewee are in line with the exam question.

Audience: Anyone with an interest in the interviewee's chosen career, radio listeners and TV watchers, fans of the interviewee.

Genre: Use the dialogue format with initials for each speaker, a neutral tone for the interviewer, and a relaxed, chatty tone for the interviewee.

Style: Choose an appropriate tone (serious, humourous, narrative, discursive, or a mix) and avoid overly lengthy responses.

How to Write an Interview

Title:

• Provide a title that clearly indicates the topic of your interview.

• Example: An Interview with Rising Star Sarah Smith Introduction:

• State the name of your publication/station/show.

• Introduce the person you are interviewing with some brief background information.

  • Example:

"Welcome to Local Beats FM, where we have the pleasure of interviewing Sarah Smith, a young and talented singer making waves in the local music scene."

Dialogue Format:

• Interviewer (I): Ask a short, concise question or make a brief comment.

• Interviewee (S): Provide a detailed answer, usually a short paragraph.

  • I: "Sarah, can you tell us what inspired you to start singing?"
  • S: "I've been singing since I was a kid. My parents used to play all kinds of music at home, and I would sing along. It wasn't until secondary school, though, that I started performing at local events and realised how much I loved being on stage." Body Paragraphs:

• Continue with additional questions and answers.

• Include anecdotes to bring the piece to life.

• Ensure the interview flows logically and maintains the reader's interest. Conclusion:

• The interviewer thanks the interviewee.

• Include closing information relevant to the interviewee's current work or upcoming events.

  • Example:

"Sarah Smith's latest single will be released next month, and you can catch her live at the Dundalk Music Festival on the 25th."