Peer Interview

 

  1. Draw your classmates name from the hat.  Half the students in class will be selected to draw names from the other half of the class.
  2. Prepare a list of at least 20 questions with spaces for answers before you meet for the interview. (Remember a good interview will be 30-50 questions.  You don’t always use all the information you get to write the final product.)
  3. Introduce yourself and settle on who starts the interview.  Always be polite and allow the person a chance to finish their response.
  4. Never be afraid to ask additional questions.  However, be sensitive and not ask too many personal questions or pursue a question if it makes the person uncomfortable.

  

Types of Questions you can ask:

  1. Where were you born?  What is your birth date?
  2. Who are the other members in your family? (Brothers, sisters, etc.)
  3. Where did you grow up?
  4. If you moved, when and why did you move here?
  5. Where did you go to elementary school?
  6.   _______________________________________________________________
  7.   _______________________________________________________________
  8.   _______________________________________________________________
  9.   _______________________________________________________________
  10.   What do you like so far about Rancho?  Was it what you expected?
  11.   ________________________________________________________________
  12.   ________________________________________________________________
  13.   ________________________________________________________________
  14.   How do you spend your leisure or free time?
  15.   ________________________________________________________________
  16.   ________________________________________________________________
  17.   What was the best or worst moment in your life?
  18.    ________________________________________________________________
  19.   _________________________________________________________________
  20. Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

 

Once you have your notes:

  1. Organize them into the following categories, which will make up the 5 paragraphs of your biography.
    1. Catchy Title (should be created based on the content of the first paragraph)
    2. Grabber/ Hook first paragraph – pick a humorous, interesting or exciting part of their life to introduce this person.  Your catchy title should be based on this first paragraph.
    3. Early childhood birth to 5 years old usually
    4. Elementary school days – be sure to include interesting things that happen outside of school as well that happened from age 6-11 or 12.  This can include moves made or sports or other special activities or awards.
    5. Junior High and first impressions – if they have had a sibling go to school here what advise was given.
    6. Future plans and goals: this can include career, travel, or college.

 

  1. Remember you are writing about somebody’s life and need to be prepared to do a great job for them as they will in turn do for you.

 

  1. Rough drafts will be brought to class and edited by the person you interviewed and one other classmate.  Suggestion: type your rough draft and save it so you can just make the changes later for the final draft.

  

  1. The final draft must be typed.
    1. The final draft must be at least one page, five paragraphs, typed single or 1.5 spacing, and a font no larger than Times New Roman 12 (the one used here). 
    2. Paragraphs must be indented and there should be no extra spacing between the paragraphs. 
    3. Titles cannot be huge or too fancy either.
    4. The interview must be turned in on time or lose 10 points a day that it is later.
    5. You will be asked to rewrite any final draft at least once or more if needed.