Linking: Interview Guidelines
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| Curriculum Toolkit Outline Lesson Plan 1 Lesson Plan 2 Interview Guidelines Looking Back Cold War Research Project Vietnam War Research Project Project Rubric |
Oral history interviews are useful to historians because they "bring to life" a historical time period. For the purpose of this assignment we will focus on the Vietnam Era. Many people are alive today who lived through this tumultuous period--yes, even many of your parents! You will find that we have a very committed and caring community who will share their viewpoints with you and give you a better understanding of the past. You will also have an opportunity to discuss your beliefs and convictions with your interviewees as you try to understand the moral dilemmas facing our society during the Vietnam Era.
*Prepare yourself well for the interview. Make sure you have a general understanding of topic to be discussed. Get your facts organized.
*Consider the feelings of the person you are interviewing. Your questions may bring an emotional response. If the person is elderly, be prepared to speak slowly and clearly.
*Relax and remember to smile! If your interviewee has agreed to be tape recorded, start the tape. If you are taking notes, have your pen and notepad ready.
*Provide a copy of the sample questions we have developed together in class to the interviewee. As a result, you will be given clearer facts, dates, and information. The person might even look up old photographs and memorabilia to enrich your understanding.
*Courtesy is very important! Thank your interviewee. Ask him/her if you could meet again, if necessary. Inform the person that you will send him/her a copy of your final paper. Make the interviewee realize that he/she is a vital link to this period of history.
*Your parents, neighbors, teachers would be excellent interviewees for the "Looking Back to the Vietnam Era" interview. I will link you with a Vietnam Veteran for the second interview unless you have someone already in mind.
*Be sure to record the following information:
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Age (Present and during this historical time period):
Date(s) of Interview:
Place of Interview:
Students gain a deeper understanding of the Vietnam era through personal interviews.