How can you interview a subject without interrupting them?

As a journalist, you know how important it is to get the best information from your interviewees. But sometimes, you may feel tempted to interrupt them, either to clarify something, to challenge them, or to move on to the next question. However, interrupting can have negative consequences, such as breaking the flow of the conversation, annoying the subject, or missing out on valuable insights. So how can you interview a subject without interrupting them? Here are some tips to help you.

Key takeaways from this article

Embrace the silence:

Allowing pauses during the conversation gives interviewees space to think and share more. You'll find that some of the best insights come when you resist the urge to fill every silence.
Go with the flow:

While having questions prepared is crucial, be open to spontaneity. Sometimes an impromptu question can lead to unexpected and valuable revelations that enrich your interview.

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1 Listen actively

The first and most obvious tip is to listen actively to what the subject is saying. This means paying attention to their words, tone, body language, and emotions. It also means showing interest and respect by nodding, smiling, or making eye contact. Active listening can help you build rapport with the subject, encourage them to open up, and reveal more details. It can also help you avoid interrupting them by accident, as you will be more aware of when they are pausing, finishing, or expecting a response.

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Laura Intrieri

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Quando possível, estudar o entrevistado previamente e ter um breve conhecimento de seu ritmo de fala ajuda. Conhecer o discurso da pessoa ajuda o jornalista a entender quando uma pausa na fala é (ou não) uma boa oportunidade de intervenção.

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John Trumbull

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Be more interested in what your subject has to say than in what you have to say. You already know what you think about a topic. You're there to get THEIR perspective.

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2 Prepare your questions

Another tip is to prepare your questions in advance and prioritize them according to your goals and deadlines. Having a clear and structured plan can help you avoid interrupting the subject to ask something irrelevant, redundant, or off-topic. It can also help you avoid asking too many questions, which can overwhelm or frustrate the subject. However, you should also be flexible and adaptable, as you may need to follow up on something unexpected, interesting, or important that the subject says.

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John Trumbull

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Have your questions prepared in advance, but also be ready & willing to throw out your plan and just go with the flow. A few years ago on impulse I asked my interview subject one of my tougher questions first. He opened up and weighed in on something he hadn't ever commented on before. The rest of the interview was a breeze after that.

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3 Use silence strategically

A third tip is to use silence strategically during the interview. Silence can be a powerful tool to elicit more information, as it can prompt the subject to fill in the gaps, elaborate on their points, or reveal something they may not have planned to say. Silence can also be a sign of respect, as it can show that you are giving the subject time and space to think and express themselves. However, you should also be careful not to use silence too often or too long, as it can create awkwardness, confusion, or tension.

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John Trumbull

Writer | Editor | Artist | Stand-Up Comic | Actor | Podcaster
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Don't be afraid to just shut up once in a while. Silence is a tool like any other. You don't have to fill every single moment of silence.

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4 Ask open-ended questions

A fourth tip is to ask open-ended questions that invite the subject to explain, describe, or share their opinions, feelings, or experiences. Open-ended questions can help you get more depth and detail from the subject, as well as more insight into their perspectives and motivations. They can also help you avoid interrupting the subject by giving them more control over the direction and length of their answers. However, you should also balance open-ended questions with closed-ended questions that require a yes or no answer, as they can help you confirm facts, clarify details, or move on to a new topic.

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John Trumbull

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Open-ended questions are a MUST. Not asking open-ended questions is the biggest mistake I made when I first started interviewing people. Nothing is duller than an interview that's all "Yes" and "No" questions. Get them talking! Ask for their stories!

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5 Paraphrase and summarize

A fifth tip is to paraphrase and summarize what the subject says at appropriate moments during the interview. Paraphrasing and summarizing can help you show that you are listening and understanding the subject, as well as check for accuracy and clarity. They can also help you avoid interrupting the subject by signaling that you are following their logic, acknowledging their points, or wrapping up a topic. However, you should also be careful not to distort, misinterpret, or oversimplify what the subject says, as this can damage your credibility and trust.

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6 Use verbal and non-verbal cues

A sixth tip is to use verbal and non-verbal cues to communicate with the subject without interrupting them. Verbal cues can include words or phrases that indicate your interest, agreement, disagreement, curiosity, or confusion, such as "I see", "Really?", "How so?", or "Could you explain that?". Non-verbal cues can include gestures, facial expressions, or sounds that convey your emotions, reactions, or expectations, such as nodding, raising your eyebrows, or making a noise. Verbal and non-verbal cues can help you engage with the subject, encourage them to continue, or invite them to clarify or elaborate, without cutting them off or dominating the conversation.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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John Trumbull

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It's good to establish a rapport early on. Show them that you've done your homework and you know about them and their career. They'll be more inclined to share with you if they know you know what you're talking about. Jokes help, too. Make your subject laugh and get them on your side.

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How can you interview a subject without interrupting them?

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1 Listen actively

2 Prepare your questions

3 Use silence strategically

4 Ask open-ended questions

5 Paraphrase and summarize

6 Use verbal and non-verbal cues

7 Here’s what else to consider

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