Interviewer Guide
A concise field guide for conducting oral history interviews. For complete training, see our full resources.
Interview Flow Overview
Each interview follows a consistent structure (20-45 minutes total):
1
Pre-Interview
Build rapport, understand priorities, select 2 thematic modules
2
Consent
Explain rights, confirm access level, get signature before recording
3
Recording
Opening slate, core questions, selected modules, closing
4
Wrap-Up
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Key Guidelines
Do
- •Listen more than you speak
- •Allow pauses and silence
- •Use neutral follow-ups: "Can you tell me more?"
- •Follow the narrator's language and terminology
- •Pause if narrator shows discomfort
- •Respect boundaries without question
Don't
- •Interrupt or correct the narrator
- •Challenge or debate their experiences
- •Ask "why didn't you..." questions
- •Push for traumatic details
- •Offer advice or personal opinions
- •Pressure someone to continue
Non-Negotiable Principles
- 1The narrator is in control
- 2Ethics matter more than completing the interview
- 3Consent must come before recording
- 4When unsure, pause
- 5If it feels wrong, stop
Full Training & Resources
Before conducting interviews, complete our full training materials:
Ready to Become an Interviewer?
Help preserve community memory by becoming a trained oral history interviewer.