You walk into a family living room where a high‑school student has set up a phone recorder and a notebook, ready to ask a grandparent about the days before the internet. The space is quiet, the chairs are arranged for eye contact, and a photo album lies on the coffee table. The goal is to capture memories in a way that feels natural for both the young interviewer and the elder being interviewed.
Choosing the Interviewee and Setting
1. Which family member knows the most about the period you want to explore? (Ask if they feel comfortable sharing personal stories.)
2. What location brings back vivid memories for them – a kitchen, a garden, or a workplace? (Suggest a quiet spot with minimal background noise.)
3. How often have you visited them recently, and does that affect their willingness to talk?
4. Are there any cultural or religious customs that should be respected during the interview?
5. What time of day do they feel most alert and relaxed?
6. Do they prefer a seated conversation or a walk while talking?
7. Is there a particular photograph or object you can place on the table to prompt discussion?
8. Have you confirmed that they are okay with being recorded and know how the material will be used?
Adapting the Approach for Young Interviewers
1. How can you phrase a question in fewer than ten words? (Practice rewriting a longer question together.)
2. Which visual cue – a photo, a newspaper clipping, or a relic – will help the interviewee recall details?
3. What simple prompt can you use instead of abstract terms like “identity” or “legacy”?
4. How will you signal that you are listening without interrupting? (Nod, brief “mm‑hm”.)
5. Which body language cue (eye contact, leaning slightly forward) makes the interviewee feel respected?
6. What short break plan will you set if the conversation feels long for a teen?
7. How will you keep the interview under 30 minutes while still covering key topics?
8. Which easy‑to‑use recording device (smartphone app, handheld recorder) will you choose for clear audio?
Core Questions for Younger Interviewers
1. What was your favorite game or activity when you were my age? (Ask for a specific memory.)
2. Who taught you the most important skill in your teens? (Follow up: what did they say about it?)
3. Can you describe a typical school day in the 1960s/70s? (Prompt with a picture of a classroom.)
4. What was the first job you ever had, and how did you get it?
5. Which family tradition did you look forward to each year? (Ask for the reason behind it.)
6. How did you keep in touch with friends before email? (Encourage a story about letters or phone calls.)
7. What news event made the biggest impression on you as a teenager?
8. Which piece of advice did a parent give you that you still remember?
Guiding Follow‑up without Losing the Thread
1. When an answer sparks curiosity, repeat a short version of it and ask, “Can you tell me more about that?”
2. If the interviewee pauses, use a visual cue (“What does this photo remind you of?”) to keep momentum.
3. Summarize what you heard (“So you said the radio was the main source of news”) before probing further.
4. Keep a one‑column notebook: left side for the question, right side for any follow‑up ideas.
5. If a new topic appears, note it with a star and return to it after the current question is answered.
6. Use a timer to remind yourself to move on after 2‑3 minutes per question.
7. When the interviewee goes off‑topic, gently steer back: “That’s interesting; how does it relate to the original question?”
8. Record a brief “pause” note in the audio file to mark where a follow‑up should be inserted later.
Recording and Note‑Taking Options
1. Use a smartphone voice‑memo app set to “high quality” and place the phone on a stable surface.
2. Test the microphone by speaking a few seconds before starting; adjust distance if the voice sounds muffled.
3. Bring a simple paper notebook and a pencil; write down key words, not full sentences.
4. If the interviewee prefers writing, give them a blank sheet to jot down thoughts while you record.
5. For visual prompts, take a photo of the object being discussed and attach it to the audio file later.
6. Back up the recording immediately to a cloud folder or a USB drive.
7. Label each file with the interviewee’s name, date, and a short descriptor (e.g., “Grandma_2026_08_21_Childhood”).
8. If the recorder fails, have a backup phone ready to capture the conversation.
Handling Unexpected, Upsetting, or Confusing Answers
1. If the interviewee becomes emotional, pause the recording and ask if they need a moment.
2. When an answer is confusing, repeat it back for clarification: “Did you mean…?”
3. If a topic is upsetting, offer the option to skip it and return later.
4. Keep a neutral tone; avoid offering personal opinions or judgments.
5. If the interviewee mentions a legal or medical issue, note that a professional should be consulted and move on.
6. Record a brief “sensitivity note” in the audio log to remind later editors of the context.
7. Use a cue word like “pause” in the notebook to mark sections that may need careful handling during editing.
8. Respect any request to stop the interview immediately, and thank the participant for their time.
Post‑Interview Processing with Young Participants
1. Listen to the recording together and ask, “What part surprised you the most?”
2. Identify three moments that felt especially clear or vivid; note why they stood out.
3. Highlight any recurring themes (e.g., community, resilience) and discuss how they connect.
4. Ask the interviewee what they wish had been asked differently; record their feedback.
5. Create a short summary (one paragraph) that captures the main story arc.
6. Have the young interviewer write down any new questions that emerged for future projects.
7. Discuss how the interview changed their view of the family’s past, without making grand claims.
8. Store the audio, notes, and summary in the same folder for easy reference.
Sharing the Results
1. Compile the audio clips into a single file and add a title slide with the interviewee’s name and date.
2. Create a printable booklet that includes the summary, three selected quotes, and a photo of the interview setting.
3. Upload the final audio and booklet to a class‑shared drive or a family cloud folder.
4. Offer a short listening session at a school assembly or family gathering.
5. Provide a QR code that links directly to the audio file for easy access.
6. Ask the interviewee if they would like a copy of the booklet for personal keepsakes.
7. Keep a backup copy on an external hard drive for long‑term preservation.
8. Encourage other students to start their own mini‑projects using the same question set.
Worth remembering: Focus on clear, concrete prompts, visual cues, and a simple recording workflow; let young interviewers practice follow‑up while staying on track, and treat the post‑interview discussion as a learning moment rather than a final product.
Common questions
What is the simplest way to start?
Begin by introducing yourself, stating the purpose of the interview in one sentence, and asking for permission to record. A brief, friendly opening sets the tone and avoids any confusion about the project.
What mistakes should I avoid?
Avoid long, abstract questions, interrupting the interviewee, and ignoring emotional cues. Skip technical jargon, keep the setting quiet, and never assume the interviewee will remember details without a visual prompt.
How do I know when the project is finished?
The project is complete when the audio file is saved, a concise summary and at least three key excerpts are documented, and the material has been shared in the agreed format—whether a booklet, a digital archive, or a class presentation.