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To summarize questions and answers from an
interview
To classify interview questions as open-ended
and follow-up
To create open-ended follow-up questions
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Open-ended question: a
question that cannot be
answered with a simple
‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or with a specific
piece of information. This
type of question should get
your interviewee talking.
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Follow-up question: a
question that follows up on
something the interviewee
has said.
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Open-ended question: What was the best
thing that happened to you in high school?
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Answer: I guess that would be when my
boyfriend broke up with me at the prom.
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Follow-up Question: That doesn’t sound like a
very good thing. Why was it the best thing that
happened to you?
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Why do you think that?
That sounds interesting. Could you tell me
more about it?
What happened next?
How has that influenced your life?
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Q: What kind of friends did you hang out with
in high school?
A: Mostly jocks, like me.
Follow-up Q: ___________________________
Q: What is your worst memory from high
school?
A: A kid I knew was badly injured in a car
accident.
Follow-up Q: ___________________________
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As we watch the interview(s), take notes in a
t-chart on your notes.
Write down all of the questions asked and
summarize the answers given.
I will pause after each question so that you
have time to write the question down.
Michael Jordan/Letterman Interview
Emma Watson/Ellen Degeneres Interview
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What seems to be the focus of the interview?
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In one color, highlight the first question and
any questions that start a new line of
questioning.
In a second color, highlight the follow-up
questions.
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Write a question you think the interviewee
could have asked but didn’t. Why do you
think the interviewer didn’t ask this (or a
similar) question?
Evaluate this interview by giving it a ranking
using the learning scale. Why did you choose
the rating you did?
Write a reflection on the importance of
asking follow-up questions.
How did you feel being cut from your high
school basketball team?
 Do you think you’re the best player who ever
played the game?
 What made you try out for your second year of
high school basketball?
 How does it feel to be named the best player of
the game?
 Where do you golf?
 Do you feel pressure to make your shots?
 Are you as good at golf as you are at basketball?
 Do your siblings play basketball?
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Do you think you’ll be MVP?
What was it like growing up with your siblings?
Why do you play golf in the off season?
Do you spend a lot of time with your family?
What was the best game you’ve had?
Does your toe still hurt from time to time?
Can you show us your toe?
How were your later years in high school?
What other sports did you play during school?
How was your head coach in high school?
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Why is it important to ask follow-up
questions when you do your interview for the
interview narrative?