In making the initial contact with a prospective interviewee be certain to make a clear presentation of the purpose and nature of the interview. Being explicit and direct with the prospective interviewee inspires confidence in the oral history endeavor. The interviewer should have a sound general background in the subject or topics to be explored. If the interview is to focus, for example, on the career of a retired attorney, fireman, teacher, or physician, during the 1930's, and the changes in those fields since that period, the interviewer should do enough background reading and research to have some notion of the major trends and highlights in each field. Without any background the interviewer cannot ask the types of questions that will elicit the most pertinent information possessed by the interviewee.
Sufficient preparation spells the difference between a valuable and a poor interview.
Consult written histories, journal articles, autobiographies, diaries, scrapbooks, newspapers, trade journals, family histories, relatives and friends during this preparatory phase of the work. Under each broad topical area you will begin to think up more and more detailed questions. This working outline will give you confidence during the interview and will keep the interview moving in the direction you want to go. You can use the outline to inform the interviewee in advance of what general areas you want to cover. Often a copy of the outline given a week or so in advance of the actual interview will stimulate an interviewee's memories.