“At the heart of the reporter’s job is the interview.
A successful interview leads to a good story, a good job and a good reputation . . . So much depends on preparation. Not even the smartest people can overcome lack of preparation for an interview . . . Listen to what people say. Unexpected ideas can fly by if the reporter isn’t paying attention . . . Ask questions that can’t be answered with a yes or no . . . The best reporters know how to collect the details and anecdotes that will give their stories color and credibility. When interviewing someone, they note the person’s age and at least three other personal characteristics. Chain smoker? Married five times? Rides Harley motorcycles? Wears bow ties? Keeps a watch on each wrist?”
Matthew Winkler ’77 H’00 P’13 (who wears bow-ties) is renowned as the editor-in-chief (and the founding editor) of Bloomberg News, one of the most respected news organizations in the world. Among journalists, he’s also known as the creator of The Bloomberg Way, a bible and meticulous guide for Bloomberg reporters and editors. Now this guide is available to the public, published by Wiley. While it’s a specialized professional manual, with an emphasis on business journalism, it’s also full of sound, well articulated principles for all writers—indeed, for anyone who values precision in language. Moreover, it offers insight into the practices and standards that have made Bloomberg so successful.
Excerpted from The Bloomberg Way, Matthew Winkler, ©2012, published by John Wiley & Sons.