Blog 24

Melissa Vizzi

Professor Chandler

English 3029 section 1

4/28/14

Short Analysis Transcript- Making sure the person having the interview feels comfortable

Introduction

No matter what people may say to you, going into an interview will always be scary. Whether it is an interview with a friend, a movie star, and athlete, anything. The most important part of an interview is being able to have the interviewee know that you’re actually interested in what they’re saying. It’s especially important with the interviewer is able to understand where the interviewee may be coming from; it makes the interviewee feel more comfortable. The more comfortable the interviewee is, the more of an honest answer you’ll receive. The interviewee should feel confident and comfortable in their environment. A comfortable environment is extremely important. You don’t want your interviewee to feel uncomfortable to where they’re constantly moving around and losing distraction. These are all important fact and keys that an interviewer should review before going into an interview.

Literature Review

I DON’T CURRENTLY HAVE MY LITERATURE REVIEW. WHEN I WAS HOME FOR MY PROCEDURES I DID THE LITERATURE REVIEW ON MY MOTHER’S COMPUTER AND FORGOT TO EMAIL IT TO MYSELF. I WILL GET IT TO YOU ASAP!

 

 

 

Methods

For my research project I was searching to see if writing groups could be some form of therapy for a cancer patient. I used an audio recorder through a cell phone for this interview, which made it easier for me to be able to look back through out any point of the interview. For the remainder of this paper I will be referring to the interviewee participate as R or Robin. Robin was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2007 and has been attending writing groups since 2012.

                This interview was performed in Robin’s home specifically in her living room. She sat on the love couch while I sat on a chair. For this interview I used a cell phone as well as a piece of paper and pen. I used to phone to be able to record the interview and the paper and pen to record what her reactions to the questions may be. For example, her facial expressions, movements in her hands, the mood of the room after a question was asked, etc. Our environment was very quiet which made it easier for both Robin and myself to focus on the interview. Robin was asked a total of 11 questions and the interview lasted about 8 minutes long. It was very short interview, but I believe Robin gave me her most honest answers. After the interview was over, we had a short little side conversation and then I left.

Data Analysis

In this transcript, the interviewer (M) talks to the interviewee (R) about cancer and how writing groups can be a form of therapy for the patient. Like stated previously, it’s important to make sure the interviewee feels comfortable to open up to the interviewer. A good way to do that is to tell your story a little bit, and as the interviewer to also answer the question. In question number two the interviewer (M) asked the interviewee (R) when she was diagnosed with cancer. After the interviewee (R) answered the question saying that she was 48, the interviewer (M) responded with “And I was diagnosed with cancer at almost half of your age” adding in a little laugh. This made the interviewee (R) for more comfortable and put a smile on her face. It made the interviewee (R) realize that she wasn’t the only one who was struggling with such an awful illness. You could tell that by the interviewee (R) finding out that the interviewer (R) also had cancer took a weight off her shoulders. The answers coming from the interviewee became less professional and more relaxed- and that’s exactly what (M) was looking for.

Not only is it important to make the interviewee feel comfortable, but it’s also important to ask questions straight forward and to not beat around the bush. A lot of people feel like they need to treat others differently because they have cancer. In fact, (R) stated how easy it was to talk (M) because she could understand where she was coming from and asked the questions in a “nice manner”. When (R) said those things (M) asked the question of “What kinds of treatment did you have to go through?” (R) stated that, “Normally people are curious as to why I have no hair and am so pale so they’re hesitant to ask me, but not you. You just go for it, and in such a nice manner too.”

Remaining eye contact with the person you’re interviewing throughout the entire interview is also a very important key to a successful interview. You as the interviewer, is showing the interviewee that you’re genuinely interested in what they’re saying and it’s also a form of respect. (M) made sure to remain eye contact with (R) the whole time. When the interviewee is seeing that you’re interested in what they’re saying, they’ll become more open with you and start to give you more heart- felt answers, especially if it’s already a touchy subject to begin with- they begin to open up. You could tell the interview took an interesting and touching turn when (R) started to explain how she coped with the fact that she had been diagnosed with cancer. It began with a long pause, and although she put her head down, (M) remained eye contact and allowed her to take the time she needed. She then repeated the question to herself and said, “I cried. I cried for hours. I remember getting home and just sitting on my couch crying and asking myself why? That’s when I picked up a notepad and pen sitting on the side table next to me. I remember just writing. Writing how I was feeling, trying to answer questions. It’s when I was done and sat back that I felt better. I discovered something beautiful, writing. It didn’t take the cancer away, but it sure did help the pain.”

                Hearing peoples struggles, makes the bad things in your life seem a little better. Performing interviews and hearing other people’s stories makes you appreciate the little things. We all have things to be thankful for, sometimes it’s hard finding those things, but they’re there. This interviewing was truly inspiring to (M) and made her see the different forms of ‘therapy’ people use to cope with them being diagnosed with cancer, writing being one of them. Writing opens a door for people, it’s an art where people can express their feelings and no one else has to see if they don’t want them to, it’s truly a great form of release.

Limitations

Limitations

                I believe that all research projects will have some form of limitations. The first limitation was the distance from my house to Hackensack. I am a very busy full time student, as I’m sure everyone is, and I didn’t have a lot of time to be driving back and forth. Unfortunately I was only able to interview one person. I wish I would have had a little more time where I could have interviewed more people and maybe even someone my own age. I feel like the most people I could have interviewed the more results I would have received which would have made my results more direct and accurate instead of them being based on one person.

I NEED TO WORK ON THIS SECTION. I DON’T KNOW WHY I HAVE SO MUCH DIFFICULTY. I NEED TO LOOK AT THE EXAMPLES YOU’VE PROVIDED FOR US ON THE BLOG SO I CAN FIGURE THIS OUT MORE!

Results

From my study I believe I received some very positive results. Throughout my interview my participant spoke nothing but highly of this writing group. I can tell by how passionately Robin spoke about this writing group that it truly changed her life. The first sign that Robin gave me where I could tell that writing was a positive form of healing was when I asked her how she coped with being diagnosed with cancer. In her answer she stated that, “I discovered something beautiful, writing. It didn’t take the cancer away but it sure did help the pain.” In this initial statement is where she admitted it all, “..it helps the pain” she says. Right here we can see that yes, writing isn’t going to cute your cancer, it’s not a form of treatment, it’s a form of therapy. It’s something that can and will help you as long as you work with it and go into these groups with a positive attitude.

                Another statement I found in my interview which gave me proof that writing groups are a positive form of therapy for Robin and could be for others is when she says, “these people have become my family.” This shows me that not only will you writing groups help you with sadness and anger and other emotions but it will help you create friends that become family. You need to realize that coming into these writing sessions that you’re not the only person who is struggling with cancer and may be nervous to share you work or to begin writing. Everyone is scared but you must overcome your fear and go into these sessions with an open mind. It’s the only way you will receive positive results.

                Based on the one interview I did with Robin I came to the conclusion that writing groups can be a positive form of therapy for cancer patients. Attending these writing sessions gives cancer patients a place to feel comfortable. You know walking in that everyone has cancer but everyone has their own battles and struggles but no one makes you feel like theirs are worse than yours. They encourage you to speak up and to try it before you put it down. You don’t have to share your wok if you don’t want to, but sometimes it could help you more to hear your own words and to see people’s reactions. I believe that writing groups are not only for cancer patients, they’re for anyone. Although you may enjoy writing alone, it’s good to experience new things and putting yourself out there and attending a writing group is a good way to do so.