1. Open-Ended vs. Closed Questions
   An open-ended question encourages someone to explain, describe, or tell a story. It usually cannot be answered with just “yes” or “no.”
   Example: “What did you enjoy most about the event?”

A closed question can usually be answered with “yes,” “no,” or a short answer.
Example: “Did you enjoy the event?”

1. Turning Yes-or-No Questions Into Open-Ended Questions
   Journalists can change closed questions into open-ended questions to get more information. Try beginning questions with what, why, how, describe, or tell me about.
   Instead of: “Did you like the class?”
   Ask: “What did you like most about the class?”
2. Biased or Leading Questions
   A biased or leading question pushes someone toward a certain answer or includes the interviewer’s opinion. Journalists should ask neutral questions so the person can give their own opinion.
   Leading: “Don’t you think the new school rules are unfair?”
   Neutral: “What do you think about the new school rules?”
3. Follow-Up Questions
   A follow-up question is asked after someone answers your first question. It helps you learn more about something interesting or important they mentioned. Good interviewers listen carefully so they know what to ask next.
   Examples: “Can you tell me more about that?” “Why was that important to you?” “What happened next?” “How did that make you feel?”

🎤 Interview Rescue: Fix the Question!

Today, you are going to practice thinking like a real journalist!

A good journalist does not just ask questions. A good journalist knows how to ask questions that help people share interesting and useful information.

Goal

Your team will earn points by identifying weak interview questions and making them stronger.

You will be divided into teams. For each challenge, your team will have about 30 seconds to discuss your answer.

Listen carefully, work together, and be ready to explain your choice!

Round 1: Open or Closed?

For each question, decide whether it is an OPEN question or a CLOSED question.

Remember:

Open-ended questions encourage someone to explain or give details.

Closed questions can usually be answered with yes, no, or a very short response.

1 point for each correct answer.

1. Did you enjoy the field trip?

2. What was your favorite part of the field trip?

3. Are you excited about graduation?

4. What are you looking forward to most about graduation?

5. Did your team practice before the game?

6. How did your team prepare for the game?

Round 2: Question Makeover

These questions need a makeover!

Your team will receive a yes-or-no question. Rewrite it so the person being interviewed has to give a longer, more detailed answer.

Try starting your new question with words such as:

What • Why • How • Describe • Tell me about

2 points for each strong question makeover.

Questions to Fix

1. Did you like the school play?

2. Were you nervous before performing?

3. Was the class difficult?

4. Did you have fun at the event?

5. Are you happy you joined the team?

Be ready to share your improved question with the class!

Round 3: Bias Buster

A journalist should not try to tell someone what answer to give.

A biased or leading question pushes the person toward a certain answer or includes the journalist's opinion.

Your mission is to:

STEP 1: Find what is wrong with the question.

STEP 2: Rewrite it so it is neutral and allows the person to give their own opinion.

3 points for identifying the problem AND fixing the question.

Questions to Fix

1. Don't you think the new lunch options are much better?

2. Why was the field trip so boring?

3. Wasn't the play amazing?

4. Don't you agree that students should have less homework?

5. Why is our basketball team so good this year?

Remember: Your job is to discover their opinion, not give them yours!

Round 4: Follow-Up Challenge

Now it is time to think on your feet!

You cannot prepare your questions ahead of time for this round.

One student will become the Interviewee, and another will become the Journalist.

The interviewee will receive a situation, such as:

You just won the school talent show!

The journalist might begin by asking:

“How did you prepare for the talent show?”

The interviewee might answer:

“I practiced every night with my sister.”

Now listen carefully!

Your next question should be based on something the interviewee just said.

You might want to learn more about:

• practicing every night

• the sister

• how they prepared

• how they felt

• what happened during the competition

Useful follow-up starters include:

“Can you tell me more about...?”

“Why was that important to you?”

“What happened next?”

“How did that affect you?”

“What do you mean by...?”

You earn 3 points when your follow-up question clearly connects to the person's previous answer.

Remember!

The best interviewer is not necessarily the person who asks the most questions.

The best interviewer listens carefully and asks questions that draw out the story.

Proverbs 20:5
“Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water; but a person of understanding draws it out.”

Part 1: Interview Questions

Choose any person you would like to interview. The person can be famous, a friend, a family member, someone living today, or someone from history.

Write 5 open-ended interview questions you would ask that person.

Example: If you chose Harriet Tubman, instead of asking, “Were you afraid?” you could ask:

“What helped you continue helping others even when you were afraid?”

Part 2: November Newspaper

Write down your idea for the section of the newspaper you will be working on for Issue #2. Explain what you would like to include and what you may need to complete your section.