The Art Of The Follow-Up Question

STORYTELLING | by SHERRY STRIPLING

YOU HAVE AGREED TO DO THE ORAL HISTORIES FOR YOUR FAMILY this holiday season, a very nice gift. But make sure you ask the right follow-up questions so relatives who listen to the tape or read the transcripts don’t get frustrated in the decades to come.

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You: “And what did Great Uncle John do?”

Grandma Dillinger: “He used a submachine gun to withdraw funds from the bank.”

You: “And where did Great Aunt Mary go to school?”

What? Did you get so hung up on what you’ve written down as your next question that you missed the million- dollar details and possible movie rights that will come from asking more about Uncle John?

Listen carefully and write down notes for follow-up questions as your subject speaks. Remember that digging deeper can turn a so-so interview into a rich historical record.

Other tips:

• Develop a “big topics” outline for the interview, based on earlier research
• Make note of where you want elaborative detail, guiding your subject through those spots
• Allow people time to organize their thoughts
• Say “What do you mean?” or “I don’t understand” to get them to say more
• Be open and ready when your subject drops bombshells
• Ask for examples
• Respond with enthusiasm
• Save your most compelling or provocative questions until your subject is relaxed and feeling confident

Now congratulate yourself for doing a very important service. You helped save the family history by coaxing your relatives to reach deeper for details, and you’ve most likely made them feel like their thoughts are valued.