Written Interview (Grade 11 NSC Matric English FAL): Revision Notes
Written Interview
What is a written interview?
A written interview is a structured question-and-answer piece of writing where one person (the interviewer) asks questions and another person (the interviewee) provides responses. Unlike a spoken conversation, everything is written down in a clear format that readers can easily follow.
This type of writing is commonly found in magazines, newspapers, and school publications. The main goal is to capture someone's thoughts, experiences, or expertise on paper so that readers can learn from them. Think of it as a conversation frozen in time that anyone can read and benefit from.
Written interviews serve several important functions. They allow readers to gain insights into someone's life, work, or opinions without actually meeting them in person. The written format also means that both questions and answers can be carefully thought out, resulting in more meaningful and informative content.
Purpose of a written interview
Written interviews serve specific purposes that make them valuable forms of communication. Understanding these purposes will help you create more effective interviews in your exam.
Gathering and sharing information
The primary aim is to obtain specific details or viewpoints from a particular individual. This person might be an expert, a community leader, or someone with unique experiences worth sharing. The interview format allows you to present this information in an engaging, accessible way.
Documenting experiences and achievements
Written interviews provide a platform to showcase someone's journey, accomplishments, or life lessons. This could include career milestones, personal challenges overcome, or skills developed. By recording these stories, you create valuable content that can motivate and guide others.
Informing and inspiring readers
The ultimate goal is to educate or motivate your audience. Whether published in a magazine, newspaper, or school newsletter, your interview should leave readers with new knowledge, fresh perspectives, or inspiration to take action in their own lives.
For your interview to succeed, remember that questions need to be relevant and clear. Vague or confusing questions will lead to equally unclear answers. Similarly, responses must be detailed, informative, and sound natural – as if the person is actually speaking to you.
Structure and format
Understanding the correct structure is essential for creating a professional written interview. Each element has a specific purpose and contributes to the overall effectiveness of your piece.
Heading or title
The title introduces the subject or person being interviewed. It should be engaging and give readers a clear idea of what to expect. For example: "An interview with South Africa's youngest entrepreneur" immediately tells the reader who they'll learn about and hints at why this person is interesting. Keep your title concise but informative.
Introduction (optional)
This is a brief opening paragraph that sets the scene. Use one or two sentences to introduce who is being interviewed and why their story matters. For instance: "We spoke to 17-year-old Lethabo Mokoena, founder of EcoStyle Designs, about her journey as a young entrepreneur." This contextual information helps readers understand the significance of the interview before diving into the questions.
Body (question and answer format)
This is the main section where the interview unfolds. Present it using a clear Q and A layout, where each question is labeled with "Q:" and each answer with "A:". Start each new question and its answer on a fresh line to maintain clarity.
Example Format:
Q: What inspired you to start your business?
A: I wanted to create eco-friendly products that look good and help the environment.
This format makes it easy for readers to follow the conversation. Aim for logical flow – start with background questions, move to more specific topics, and end with forward-looking or advice-oriented questions.
Closing or conclusion
End the interview naturally with a final question or statement. This could be a question asking for advice, future plans, or reflections. For example: "Q: What advice do you have for other young people? A: Believe in your ideas and start small – every step counts." This gives the interview a sense of completion and often leaves readers with something meaningful to remember.
Style and tone
The way you write your interview is just as important as what you write. Your style and tone should match the context and make the interview feel authentic.
Appropriate formality level
Use a formal or semi-formal tone depending on your audience and the interviewee. For a school publication interviewing a peer, semi-formal works well. For interviewing a professional or expert, lean towards more formal language. However, avoid being so formal that the interview sounds stiff or unnatural.
Crafting effective questions
Your questions should be clear and open-ended. This means they invite detailed responses rather than simple "yes" or "no" answers. Instead of asking "Do you like your job?", ask "What aspects of your work bring you the most satisfaction?" Open-ended questions encourage interviewees to share stories, examples, and insights.
Creating realistic answers
Responses must be informative and realistic. Avoid making answers too short or repetitive. Each answer should provide substantial information that advances the reader's understanding. If an answer feels too brief, consider what additional details would make it more valuable.
Maintaining conversational flow
Keep the language natural and conversational, as though readers are listening to an actual discussion. This doesn't mean using slang or overly casual language – it means writing in a way that sounds like real people talking. Read your interview aloud to check if it sounds natural.
Considering character and context
Generally avoid slang unless it genuinely suits the interviewee's character and the situation. If you're interviewing a young entrepreneur who uses certain expressions naturally, including them might add authenticity. However, use this sparingly and with good judgment.
Types of questions
Different types of questions serve different purposes in an interview. Understanding these categories will help you create a well-rounded, engaging piece.
Personal or background questions
These questions introduce the interviewee to readers and provide context for their story. They help establish who the person is and what makes them worth interviewing. Example: "What inspired you to follow this career path?" These questions typically appear early in the interview to set the foundation for deeper discussion.
Opinion-based questions
These invite the interviewee to share their personal thoughts or viewpoints on relevant topics. They reveal the person's values, beliefs, and perspectives. Example: "How do you feel about the role of technology in education?" Such questions add depth to the interview by showing not just what the person does, but how they think.
Experience-based questions
These ask the interviewee to provide specific examples from their life or work. They bring abstract ideas to life through concrete stories. Example: "Can you describe one of your biggest challenges?" These questions often produce the most engaging content because they allow the interviewee to share real incidents that readers can relate to or learn from.
Advice or future plans questions
These look forward, asking the interviewee to share guidance or discuss their ambitions. They often appear towards the end of interviews. Examples: "What advice would you give to young people?" or "What are your goals for the next year?" These questions provide practical takeaways for readers and show the interviewee's forward-thinking approach.
By mixing these question types, you create a balanced interview that covers background, experiences, opinions, and wisdom – giving readers a complete picture of the interviewee.
Example: Written interview
AN INTERVIEW WITH A YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST
We spoke to 18-year-old Thando Ndlovu, founder of "Clean City Youth," about her mission to protect the environment.
Q: What inspired you to start Clean City Youth?
A: I was tired of seeing rubbish everywhere, so I gathered a few friends and started weekly clean-up projects.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge so far?
A: Getting people to take responsibility for their waste. Many think it's someone else's job.
Q: How has the community responded to your efforts?
A: People are beginning to notice. Some local shops now sponsor gloves and bags for our events.
Q: What message would you like to share with young people?
A: Small actions make a big difference. If everyone helps a little, we can change a lot.
Analysis of the example
Notice how this interview follows the proper structure with a title, brief introduction, and clear Q & A format. The questions flow logically from personal motivation to challenges, community impact, and finally advice. Each answer provides specific, informative details rather than vague statements. The language remains natural and conversational throughout.
Useful expressions
Having ready-made phrases can help you craft smooth, professional interviews. Here are expressions organised by their purpose within an interview.
Starting questions
- "Can you tell us about...?"
- "What made you decide to...?"
These gentle opening phrases ease into the conversation and invite detailed responses.
Asking for opinions
- "How do you feel about...?"
- "In your view, why is this important?"
These expressions explicitly signal that you want the interviewee's personal perspective.
Following up
- "Could you explain that further?"
- "What happened next?"
Use these to dig deeper when an answer needs expansion or when you want to hear more of a story.
Closing the interview
- "Finally, what advice would you give to others?"
- "Thank you for sharing your story with us."
These phrases signal the interview's end and often leave readers with a meaningful final thought.
Exam tips
Success in your exam requires both understanding the format and applying practical writing strategies.
Format requirements
Use the Q and A format clearly throughout your interview. This isn't a dialogue or narrative – it must look like an interview with distinct questions and answers. Each question should be labeled "Q:" and each answer "A:" on separate lines.
Question flow and quality
Ensure your questions progress logically. Start with background information, move through the main topics, and end with forward-looking or advice questions. Aim to include at least 6-8 questions that cover different aspects of the interviewee's story or expertise.
Answer quality
Write meaningful, substantive answers. Each response should add new information or insights. Avoid repetitive or overly brief answers that don't advance the reader's understanding.
Tone and language
Maintain a natural, informative, and polite tone throughout. Your writing should sound like a real conversation while remaining appropriately formal. Check that your language feels authentic – would someone actually speak this way?
Technical accuracy
Avoid spelling or grammar errors, as these detract from your professionalism. Proofread carefully before submitting.
Word count
Stay within the word limit of 120-150 words. Plan your questions and answers so they fit this constraint while still providing valuable content.
Introduction considerations
If the task requires an introduction, keep it very short – just one or two sentences. Don't waste precious words on lengthy preambles when you need space for the actual interview questions and answers.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- A written interview uses a question-and-answer format to share information, experiences, or advice from a specific person.
- Structure your interview with a clear title, optional brief introduction, Q & A body section, and a closing question or statement.
- Use formal or semi-formal language that sounds natural and conversational, with open-ended questions that invite detailed responses.
- Include a variety of question types: personal/background, opinion-based, experience-based, and advice/future plans questions.
- For exam success, maintain the Q & A format clearly, write 6-8 meaningful questions with informative answers, and stay within the 120-150 word limit.