Written Interview (Grade 10 NSC Matric English FAL): Revision Notes

Written Interview

What is a written interview?

A written interview is a special type of text where one person (the interviewer) asks questions and another person (the interviewee) provides answers. Unlike a spoken interview, everything is written down in a question-and-answer format. This makes the interview easy to read and understand, as if you're listening to a real conversation on paper.

Written interviews serve several important purposes. They allow readers to learn directly from someone with interesting experiences, opinions or expertise. The interview format makes complex information accessible because it breaks topics down into clear questions and answers. You might find written interviews in magazines, newspapers or school publications, featuring people like athletes, activists, entrepreneurs or community leaders.

The key to a successful written interview is making it feel natural and engaging. Questions should encourage detailed responses, and answers should sound authentic, as if the person is genuinely speaking. This creates a connection between the interviewee and the reader.

Purpose and goals

Written interviews are designed to achieve specific objectives. Understanding these goals will help you create more effective interview content.

To provide information or opinions: The interview gives readers access to someone's unique perspective or knowledge. For example, interviewing a local business owner might reveal insights about entrepreneurship that readers wouldn't find elsewhere.

To share experiences, advice or achievements: People learn best from real-life examples. A written interview allows someone to share their journey, including challenges they've overcome and lessons they've learned. This personal element makes the content memorable and inspiring.

To inform or inspire readers: Written interviews often appear in publications where they can reach a wide audience. Whether published in a magazine, newspaper or school newsletter, the interview should leave readers feeling more informed about the topic or motivated by the interviewee's story.

Structure and format

A written interview follows a specific structure that makes it easy to read and professional in appearance. Each element serves a distinct purpose.

Heading or title

The title introduces who is being interviewed or what topic will be discussed. It should capture the reader's attention whilst clearly indicating what the interview is about. For example: "An interview with South Africa's youngest entrepreneur" immediately tells readers they'll learn about a young business person. Keep titles concise but informative.

Introduction (optional)

Some written interviews include a brief introductory paragraph before the questions begin. This introduction, typically one short paragraph, sets the context by explaining who is being interviewed and why their perspective matters. For example: "We spoke to 17-year-old Lethabo Mokoena, founder of EcoStyle Designs, about her journey as a young entrepreneur." This gives readers background information before diving into the Q&A section.

Body (Q & A format)

The body is the main section where questions and answers appear. This must be clearly formatted using the Question (Q:) and Answer (A:) layout. Each new question and its answer should start on a new line, making the interview easy to follow.

Each question should prompt a meaningful response. Avoid questions that can be answered with just "yes" or "no". Instead, use open-ended questions that encourage the interviewee to explain, describe or reflect. The answers should provide real substance - specific details, examples and personal insights that give readers valuable information.

Closing or conclusion

End the interview naturally with a final question or concluding sentence. This wraps up the conversation smoothly rather than stopping abruptly. Common closing questions include asking for advice to share with others or inquiring about future plans. For example: "Q: What advice do you have for other young people? A: Believe in your ideas and start small — every step counts." This leaves readers with a memorable takeaway message.

Style and tone

The way you write your interview matters just as much as the content itself. Style and tone affect how readers connect with the material.

Use formal or semi-formal language: The tone should match the context and publication. A school newsletter might be slightly more casual than a newspaper interview, but both require professional language. Avoid overly casual expressions unless they genuinely reflect the interviewee's character and the situation calls for it.

Keep questions clear and open-ended: Good interview questions invite detailed responses. Instead of asking "Do you like your job?" (which could be answered with just "yes"), ask "What do you enjoy most about your work?" This encourages the person to explain and share examples. Open-ended questions typically begin with words like "what," "how," "why," "describe" or "tell us about."

Make answers realistic and informative: Responses should sound like real speech whilst providing useful information. They shouldn't be too short or repetitive. Each answer should add something new to the conversation.

Keep language natural and conversational: Write as if someone is genuinely speaking. The interview should flow smoothly, like listening to a real conversation. Avoid overly complicated words or stiff, textbook-like language. At the same time, maintain proper grammar and sentence structure.

Avoid slang unless appropriate: Generally, keep language professional. However, if you're interviewing someone whose personality is reflected in informal speech, limited use of colloquial language might be appropriate. Use your judgement based on the context.

Types of questions

Different types of questions serve different purposes in an interview. A well-rounded interview typically includes a variety of question types.

Personal or background questions

These questions help introduce the interviewee to readers. They explore the person's history, motivations or background relevant to the topic. For example: "What inspired you to follow this career path?" This type of question helps readers understand where the person is coming from and what drives them.

Opinion-based questions

These questions invite the interviewee to share their personal thoughts or viewpoints on a particular issue. For example: "How do you feel about the role of technology in education?" Opinion questions reveal the person's values and perspectives, making the interview more engaging and thought-provoking.

Experience-based questions

These questions ask the interviewee to describe real events or situations they've encountered. For example: "Can you describe one of your biggest challenges?" This type of question brings the interview to life with concrete examples and storytelling, making abstract ideas more relatable.

Advice or future plans questions

These questions look forward, asking the interviewee to offer guidance to others or share their ambitions. For example: "What advice would you give to young people?" or "What are your goals for the next year?" These questions often provide the most memorable and inspiring parts of an interview, leaving readers with practical takeaways or hope for the future.

Complete example: Written interview

To help you understand how all the elements come together, here's a complete sample interview that demonstrates proper structure, varied question types and natural tone.

Notice how this example includes:

• A clear title indicating who and what
• A brief introduction setting context
• Varied question types (personal motivation, challenges, community impact, advice)
• Natural, conversational answers that provide specific details
• A meaningful closing question with an inspiring message

Useful expressions for interviews

Having a collection of effective phrases helps you craft strong questions and responses. Here are some useful expressions organized by purpose.

Exam tips

When writing a written interview in your exam, keep these practical strategies in mind to maximize your marks:

Keep your tone natural, informative and polite: Remember you're representing both the interviewer and interviewee. Questions should be respectful and clear, whilst answers should sound authentic and provide real information.

Avoid spelling or grammar errors: Proofread carefully. Technical errors distract from your content and can cost marks. Take a few minutes at the end to check for common mistakes.

Stay within the word limit (120-150 words): Examiners will penalize work that significantly exceeds the word count. Plan your interview to fit comfortably within this range. If you include an introduction, keep it very brief (one or two sentences only).

If an introduction is required, keep it short: Not all exam questions will ask for an introduction. If one is needed, limit it to one or two sentences that identify the interviewee and topic. Don't waste precious words on lengthy introductions.