Before the interview, be sure to share the potential questions with the person you’re planning to interview. There may be some questions they don’t want to answer and they may be to suggest new questions or topics for the interview. In some cases, it is helpful to meet with the interviewee before the formal oral history. This will help you collect background information and help them feel comfortable talking to you.
If you don’t know who you are interviewing, start by doing some background research. The University Archives are a great way to find that information. Here is a list of some online materials you may find helpful:
We’ve created some topical areas that you may find useful when thinking about questions. Remember that these topics are just a starting point may not apply to everyone. See the Resources tab for sample questions.
