Blog 15

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

                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.

 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.