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Oral History Guidelines
A Few "Do's"
DO encourage the person to go into more depth. You can do this by asking if there is anything else about a particular event or things that he or she remembers. Ask follow-up questions. If the person says something that you think is interesting, ask more about it.
DO encourage the interviewee to tell stories in their own way, rather than asking for very specific answers they may not know. It helps if your questions aren't looking for specifics like dates or places. Try to ask questions that are easy to answer from memory.
DO look the person in the eye. If you act interested and excited, the person will be more willing to tell you more information.
DO allow for pauses. The person may need time to think. While the person is thinking, you can be writing down some notes or thinking of other questions you could ask based on what has been said.
DO make sure you have the person's name (spelled correctly), address, and telephone number.
DO offer to share the results of the project with your interviewee. If you are going to use the interview in any public way, be sure to get the permission of your subject in writing.
A Few "Don'ts"
DON"T interrupt the person. Make a note if you have a question about something that was said and ask it when the comments are finished.
DON"T tell the person they are wrong if you have heard or read something different from what you are being told. There are no right or wrong answers in oral histories, only memories.
DON"T give the impression you know more than the interviewee. You are going to this person because he or she was there when history happened.