Student Guide to Success

TasksCreate an oral history project

Interview a person who participated in or witnessed an event or era in American history Create and use a list of interview questions

Collaborate with other students to review all sets of questions

Use the information to create a product to demonstrate your understanding of that person’s experience Collaborate with other students to improve each

person’s final product

Step 1: Pick an event or era from before 1990Great DepressionWorld War IIMcCarthyismKorean WarAssassination of J.F.KCuban Missile CrisisCivil Rights

MovementVietnam War

WatergateGreat SocietyThree Mile IslandReagan RevolutionStagflation of the

1970sIran Contra ScandalFall of the Berlin

Wall

Step 2: Pick a person to interviewMake sure

It is someone you know. Relative Family friend Neighbor

The person is over 18.They have participated in or witnessed an

event or era that you want to research.You complete the parental permission form.

Step 4: Develop 15 questions for your interview.Your questions should

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the time period.

Show evidence that your researched the topicProbe the interviewee to give responses that

require elaboration Stay away from questions that result in yes or no

responses.Collaborate with other students to improve your

questions and their questions Although your interview and topic are different,

constructive feedback at this step helps everyone.

Design questions around some of these categoriesEntertainment/MediaEmployment/OccupationsCommunity LifeFamily LifeAccomplishmentsEvent/era’s impact on communityEvent/era’s impact on the interviewee’s lifeEvent/era’s impact on the nation

To Consider When Developing Questions…1. Ask easy questions first, such as brief biographical

queries. Ask very personal or emotionally demanding questions after a rapport has developed. End as you began, not with bombshells, but gently with lighter questions.

2. Do plan the topic and form of your first substantial question after the "settling down" phase. Ask a question that will prompt a long answer and "get the subject going."

3. Unless you want one-word answers, phrase your questions so that they can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Don’t ask, "Were you a farmer in Buckingham during the 1930s?" Ask instead, "What was it like farming in Buckingham during the 1930s?" Ask "essay" questions that prompt long answers whenever you can. Find out not only what the person did, but also what she thought and felt about what she did.

To Consider When Asking Questions…1. Ask easy questions first, such as brief biographical

queries. Ask very personal or emotionally demanding questions after a rapport has developed. End as you began, not with bombshells, but gently with lighter questions.

2. Ask questions one at a time. 3. Allow silence to work for you. Wait. 4. Be a good listener, using body language such as

looking at the interviewee, nodding, and smiling to encourage and give the message, "I am interested."

5. If necessary, use verbal encouragement such as "This is wonderful information!" or "How interesting!" Be careful, however, not to pepper the interview with verbal encouragement such as "uh-huh," said at the same time that the interviewee is speaking.

To Consider When Asking Questions…1. Ask for specific examples if the interviewee makes

a general statement and you need to know more. Or you might say, "I don't understand. Could you explain that in more detail?"

2. Ask for definitions and explanations of words that the interviewee uses and that have critical meaning for the interview. For example, ask a Vietnam veteran what he means by Vietnamization. What was it ? What was its purpose?

3. Rephrase and re-ask an important question several times, if you must, to get the full amount of information the interviewee knows.

4. Ask follow-up questions and then ask some more. 5. Be flexible. Watch for and pick up on promising

topics introduced by the interviewee, even if the topics are not on your interview guide sheet.

Step 5: The interviewListen to the person’s responses.Ask appropriate follow-up questions.Keep a record of your person’s responses.

Detailed notes orA sound recording

Step 6: Create a final productShows understanding of the interviewee’s

experience in historical contextBe reviewed by members of your group for

constructive feedback.Options for your final product

A detailed thank-you letter to the interviewee (3 single-sided, double-spaced typed pages in proper letter format)

A PowerPoint presentation- 15 slides presented to the classA PodcastVideo/MovieA short narrative/biography (3 single-sided, double-spaced typed

pages)Ask me if you have other ideas

Products should:Demonstrate an understanding of the

historical event or eraIncorporate specific information from the

interviewPlace the interviewee’s experiences in

historical contextBe interesting and engaging to the audienceDemonstrate effort and quality work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2C_xUlcv2k