What are some strategies for managing an interview with a source who rambles?

2 Use active listening

Active listening is a skill that involves paying attention, showing interest, and giving feedback to your source. It can help you build rapport, clarify misunderstandings, and steer the conversation in the right direction. You can use active listening techniques such as nodding, smiling, paraphrasing, summarizing, and asking follow-up questions. These can signal to your source that you are listening and engaged, but also help you keep them on track and prompt them to elaborate or move on.

3 Set boundaries and expectations

Another strategy is to set some boundaries and expectations with your source before and during the interview. You can explain the purpose, format, and duration of the interview, and ask for their consent and cooperation. You can also remind them of the topic and the scope of the interview, and ask them to be concise and relevant. If they start to ramble, you can politely interrupt them by saying something like "That's interesting, but can we get back to the main point?" or "I'm sorry to cut you off, but we only have a few minutes left."

4 Record and transcribe the interview

Recording and transcribing the interview can be very helpful for managing a source who rambles. It can save you time and effort, as you don't have to take notes or remember everything they said. It can also help you analyze and organize the information, and identify the key quotes and facts that you need for your story. You can use a voice recorder, a smartphone app, or an online service to record and transcribe the interview. Make sure you get the permission of your source before you do so, and check the accuracy of the transcription.

5 Edit and verify the information

The final strategy is to edit and verify the information you get from your source who rambles. You need to filter out the irrelevant, redundant, or inaccurate information, and focus on the essential and credible information. You also need to verify the information by cross-checking it with other sources, documents, or data. You can use online tools, databases, or experts to help you with this process. You should also contact your source again if you have any doubts or questions, or if you need to confirm or clarify something.