Review of “The Art of the Interview” by Jack Hart
Quite early on in “The Art of the Interview”, Hart notes “Good reporting is the heart of all good writing.” We see a number of historical instances for this. Hemingway, Sinclair, Steinbeck, Chesterton, Capote, Hughes: all were journalists or newspaper columnists reporting on important events of their day. All went on to make significant contributions to the literary domain. “And,” as Jack Hart writes, “because newspaper journalists gather most of their information by talking to people, reporting is mostly interviewing.”
This semester I am enrolled in Principles of Nature, a philosophy course which called for close to sixty pages of reading prior to the first class meeting. The reading was from Gorgias, an ancient dialog by Plato. Interestingly, much of the dialog features Socratesinterviewing Gorgias (who is a rhetorician) or his younger peer Polus.
Socrates explains that all of his questions are to gain a clear understanding of what the interviewee is trying to articulate and that, even if some of his inquiries are worded in a seemingly harsh manner, that they must be asked for better understanding between both parties. Socrates expresses he himself wishes to be proved wrong if any of his ideals or sayings are found to be absurd in order that he may find the truth.
Prof. Ken Metzler, whom Jack Hart references throughout his article, is quoted as describing a good interview as a “two-person conversational exchange of information on behalf of an audience to produce a level of intelligence neither person could produce alone.” This is a similar point to the age-old one Socrates was getting at regarding his own line of questioning. In other words, the interviewer, as well as the source being interviewed, are called to contribute to a meaningful conversation which leads to a satisfactory conclusion.
Similar to the varying writing processes, the interviewing process has a set of markers or accomplishments to check off as you make your way through a live interview. Columbo is one of those old shows I enjoy watching (as is The Twilight Zone and Lost in Space). So when Hart uses Lt. Columbo’s trademark habit to strike home one of the main points in the interviewing strategy. Hart writes, “And save the real zinger, your Columbo question, for the very end. In fact, you may want to try the true Columbo technique — poke your head back in the door and ask the Columbo question as you are leaving.”
Apart from drawing on experts’ advice in the field, Jack Hart also draws from well-known instances in the world of journalism. These are examples of both what you should do and should not do. Then he explains the reasons behind the various successes or failures. Originally written in 1993, I think it remains a relevant piece for journalists to study today.
Yet, with the advent of Internet interviewing (via email or other safe methods of written communication) some of what Hart calls for is actually done away with in modern journalism. Nevertheless, the qualities discussed in the article should be acquired and practiced for potential use in the field.
