AU Oral History Project: Oral History Toolbox

What do I need for an oral history?

1) A subject to interview

2) Questions to ask

3) Permissions form (more about this later)

4) Paper to make notes

5) Your iPad

6) Quiet place

7) Time: Give yourself extra time the day of the interview to get to the interview location and set up to test the equipment

• Test your equipment beforehand and get to know how it works under various conditions. Practice using your equipment before you go to the real interview.
• Compile a list of topics or questions.
• Practice interviewing.
• Make a personalized checklist of things you must remember to do before, during, and after the interview.
• Verify your appointment a day or two before the interview.
• On the day of the interview, give yourself extra time to get there.
• Interview and record in a quiet place. When setting up, listen for a moment. Make adjustments, such as stopping the pendulum on the tick-tock clock, putting out the dog that’s chewing noisily on the recorder cord, and closing the door on the noisy traffic.
• Make sure the interviewee understands the purpose of the interview and how you intend to use it. This is not a private conversation.
• Start each recording with a statement of who, what, when, and where you are interviewing.
• Listen actively and intently.
• Speak one at a time.
• Allow silence. Give the interviewee time to think. Silence will work for you.
• Ask one question at a time.
• Follow up your current question thoroughly before moving to the next.
• Have the interviewee sign the release form before you leave or send a transcript to the interviewee for correction before the release form is signed.
• After the interview, make field notes about the interview.
• Write a thank-you note.
• Transcribe or index the recordings.
• Make provisions for long-term storage.

From Step-by-Step Guide to Oral History by Judith Moyer (copyright 1999)