When copyreaders andeditors read a story andseemisspellings, missingwords or other errors inquotes, it quicklybecomes clear that thewriter is likely sloppy withaccuracy, anda red flag is raised. The use ofanonymoussources isavoidedAll interviews shouldbegin by introducingyourself andchecking theinterviewee’s nameby having them spellit. Be respectful ofemergencypersonnel at newsevents — they areoften managingdangeroussituations. If you turn in astory with aninaccurate quote,you may receivean “F” for thestory. Prior to theinterview, thewriter must contactthe sourceformally andtimely. You can insertor substitute acouple of wordsin squarebrackets, Most good interviewstake 15-20 minutes,and the centralfocus should begetting the subject totalk freely and getinterested in tellingyou about the topic. Most stories needa minimumof two to threesources, each withsomethingsignificant to say.  Make 3+interviewappointmentsthe day you gettheassignment.Use completesentences only. Duringinterviews, asksubjects to elaborateon what they’ve said ifthey tend notto use completesentences. Confirm all quotesand any crucial factsat the conclusionof the interview —read through all ofthem to verify youraccuracy! Over and over,you need toconsider peoplewho are neverquoted Additionally, if a storyis written in Spanish,the interview mustbe conducted inSpanish to avoidmisunderstandingsthroughtranslation. Good storiesare often 60-70 percentquotedmaterial An interview isa conversation,not a questionand answersession. Email or textinterviews arealmost neveracceptable andmust be noted inthe story if used. During interviews,make it apparent byyourbehaviors, questionsand note-taking thataccuracy is what youcare about most. Quotesare themeat ofyour storyThe interviewershould notify theinterviewee thatthe piecewill be publishedpermanently. Even with an audiorecording, theinterviewer shouldhave anotebook where theyhave guiding questionsand where theyjot down quotes andideas.There are nolaws againsttalking tojuvenileswithout parentalpermission The general rule is ifyou can see an eventwith your eyes in apublic space, you cancapture those sameimages with acamera. You must askfor permissionto take a photoon privateproperty. All interviews shouldbegin by introducingyourself andchecking theinterviewee’s nameby having them spellit. Start the interview bytelling the subject whatyou already know andthen let thatlead naturally into thefirst area about whichyou’d like toknowStick with “said”for any quotesand “stated” forany data.Avoid “feels,”“felt” or “noted.” To avoidclicheinterviews,ask follow-upquestions.You needpermission beforeputting yourself inany situationinvolving risk toyour well-being. When copyreaders andeditors read a story andseemisspellings, missingwords or other errors inquotes, it quicklybecomes clear that thewriter is likely sloppy withaccuracy, anda red flag is raised. The use ofanonymoussources isavoidedAll interviews shouldbegin by introducingyourself andchecking theinterviewee’s nameby having them spellit. Be respectful ofemergencypersonnel at newsevents — they areoften managingdangeroussituations. If you turn in astory with aninaccurate quote,you may receivean “F” for thestory. Prior to theinterview, thewriter must contactthe sourceformally andtimely. You can insertor substitute acouple of wordsin squarebrackets, Most good interviewstake 15-20 minutes,and the centralfocus should begetting the subject totalk freely and getinterested in tellingyou about the topic. Most stories needa minimumof two to threesources, each withsomethingsignificant to say.  Make 3+interviewappointmentsthe day you gettheassignment.Use completesentences only. Duringinterviews, asksubjects to elaborateon what they’ve said ifthey tend notto use completesentences. Confirm all quotesand any crucial factsat the conclusionof the interview —read through all ofthem to verify youraccuracy! Over and over,you need toconsider peoplewho are neverquoted Additionally, if a storyis written in Spanish,the interview mustbe conducted inSpanish to avoidmisunderstandingsthroughtranslation. Good storiesare often 60-70 percentquotedmaterial An interview isa conversation,not a questionand answersession. Email or textinterviews arealmost neveracceptable andmust be noted inthe story if used. During interviews,make it apparent byyourbehaviors, questionsand note-taking thataccuracy is what youcare about most. Quotesare themeat ofyour storyThe interviewershould notify theinterviewee thatthe piecewill be publishedpermanently. Even with an audiorecording, theinterviewer shouldhave anotebook where theyhave guiding questionsand where theyjot down quotes andideas.There are nolaws againsttalking tojuvenileswithout parentalpermission The general rule is ifyou can see an eventwith your eyes in apublic space, you cancapture those sameimages with acamera. You must askfor permissionto take a photoon privateproperty. All interviews shouldbegin by introducingyourself andchecking theinterviewee’s nameby having them spellit. Start the interview bytelling the subject whatyou already know andthen let thatlead naturally into thefirst area about whichyou’d like toknowStick with “said”for any quotesand “stated” forany data.Avoid “feels,”“felt” or “noted.” To avoidclicheinterviews,ask follow-upquestions.You needpermission beforeputting yourself inany situationinvolving risk toyour well-being. 

Interviews and Quotes - Call List

(Print) Use this randomly generated list as your call list when playing the game. There is no need to say the BINGO column name. Place some kind of mark (like an X, a checkmark, a dot, tally mark, etc) on each cell as you announce it, to keep track. You can also cut out each item, place them in a bag and pull words from the bag.


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  1. When copyreaders and editors read a story and see misspellings, missing words or other errors in quotes, it quickly becomes clear that the writer is likely sloppy with accuracy, and a red flag is raised.
  2. The use of anonymous sources is avoided
  3. All interviews should begin by introducing yourself and checking the interviewee’s name by having them spell it.
  4. Be respectful of emergency personnel at news events — they are often managing dangerous situations.
  5. If you turn in a story with an inaccurate quote, you may receive an “F” for the story.
  6. Prior to the interview, the writer must contact the source formally and timely.
  7. You can insert or substitute a couple of words in square brackets,
  8. Most good interviews take 15-20 minutes, and the central focus should be getting the subject to talk freely and get interested in telling you about the topic.
  9. Most stories need a minimum of two to three sources, each with something significant to say.
  10. Make 3+ interview appointments the day you get the assignment.
  11. Use complete sentences only. During interviews, ask subjects to elaborate on what they’ve said if they tend not to use complete sentences.
  12. Confirm all quotes and any crucial facts at the conclusion of the interview — read through all of them to verify your accuracy!
  13. Over and over, you need to consider people who are never quoted
  14. Additionally, if a story is written in Spanish, the interview must be conducted in Spanish to avoid misunderstandings through translation.
  15. Good stories are often 60-70 percent quoted material
  16. An interview is a conversation, not a question and answer session.
  17. Email or text interviews are almost never acceptable and must be noted in the story if used.
  18. During interviews, make it apparent by your behaviors, questions and note-taking that accuracy is what you care about most.
  19. Quotes are the meat of your story
  20. The interviewer should notify the interviewee that the piece will be published permanently.
  21. Even with an audio recording, the interviewer should have a notebook where they have guiding questions and where they jot down quotes and ideas.
  22. There are no laws against talking to juveniles without parental permission
  23. The general rule is if you can see an event with your eyes in a public space, you can capture those same images with a camera.
  24. You must ask for permission to take a photo on private property.
  25. All interviews should begin by introducing yourself and checking the interviewee’s name by having them spell it.
  26. Start the interview by telling the subject what you already know and then let that lead naturally into the first area about which you’d like to know
  27. Stick with “said” for any quotes and “stated” for any data. Avoid “feels,” “felt” or “noted.”
  28. To avoid cliche interviews, ask follow-up questions.
  29. You need permission before putting yourself in any situation involving risk to your well-being.