Interview Structure

Interview structure is important as it ensues that the interview will run smoothly. To get the best responses from the interviewee, the interviewer has to settle them down and get them comfortable. Most interviews are structured in the following way:

-Introduction

-Developmental Questions

-Confidence Building

-Key Questions

-Soundbites

-Summary

-Windup

Introduction:

The introduction takes place before any questions are asked or, on some chat shows, before the interviewee comes on stage. This is where the interviewer introduces the interviewee: who they are and why they're being interviewed. In the example, Bill Turnbull introduces Manic Street Preachers as "one of Britain's premier rock bands" to big them up and inform the audience of their importance. They then explain the purpose of the interview, telling the audience that they're promoting Manics' 11th studio album through the interview. In the introduction, they play clips of Manic Street Preachers play on various music programs to introduce their music to the audience, who may not have heard of the band before.

Developmental Questions:

Developmental questions are to get the interview started without jumping in with the key questions. They are light-hearted and irrelevant to the key questions to set the mood and relax the interviewee into the interview. They are often closed questions as they're not important questions that need detail; they're just there to settle the interviewee. To get James Dean Bradfield and Nicky Wire settled and comfortable before they're asked key questions about their new album. This is done by Bill Turnbull asking about the collective nicknames the band have been given over the years, for example, "The Manics" or "The Preachers".

Confidence Building:

Confidence building also relaxes the interviewee into the interview by building their confidence and helping them overcome any nerves. This means that they will be comfortable when answering the key questions. This is normally done by complimenting the interviewee. When discussing the "trepidation" of producing the 11th album, Susanna Reid uses confidence building by saying "But you haven't failed. By any measure" and Bill Turnbull comments "well you have a new one, which is bound to be a rip-roaring success" to make them feel confident and proud about their work, ensuring they're more comfortable to answer their key questions in as much detail as possible.

Key Questions:

This is the most important part of the interview as these are the questions that the interviewer wants the best and most detailed answers to. They ask open questions to allow the interviewee to give a longer, thought out response to. The interviewers keep the interview on track by only asking about the inspiration and production of the album, 'Rewind The Film', asking Bradfield and Wire "It's said that it's more acoustic and quieter but it doesn't strike me with that song?" and "there are some songs that are quite angry and political?" They ask open questions, giving them more of an opportunity to explain their thoughts in as much detail as possible.

Soundbites:

Soundbites are short sections that can be cut out of an interview to be used in a shorter production or as a quote for a print to advertise the interview's purpose. Sometimes it may be an answer already given but if the interviewer has come to the end of their key questions and doesn't have one, they may ask a leading question to get the interviewee to give an answer that can be used as a soundbite. In the interview, there were many clips that could have been taken out as a soundbite to advertise their album but I think the most effective one would be "if it makes us excited, then perhaps the wider world might like it too" as it portrays them in a humble light, making the audience feel more connected to them.

Summary:

The interviewer will summarise the key questions into one for the interviewee to conclude the interview in one response, helping fulfil the interview and give it an end point. In the interview, they summarise the interview by mentioning the fact that they had created enough music for a double album and their reasons behind not releasing it as one. This allows James Dean Bradfield and Nicky Wire to discuss the album as a whole, summarising the interview.

Windup:

The windup wraps up the interview and brings it to a close by asking a final light-hearted question and thanking the interviewee for their time. In some chat shows, the windup may include who will be on the show the following week. The windup is usually quite short but it helps see the interview out, bringing everything to a close. To bring the interview to an end, Susanna asks Nicky "There were rumours that Jeremy Clarkson, with his frustration with politics, was going to stand as an MP. Is that an opportunity for you next?" to end the interview on a light-hearted note with the musicians. They then conclude the interview by thanking James and Nicky for their time and giving the audience a brief overview of when the album is to be released before announcing the next guest to join them.