Interviewing notes reminder:
Write down a list of questions you want to ask. This way you won’t forget an important point. This relieves you of the need to be mentally searching for next question. While you may ask all of your prepared questions, in some interviews you probably will only use some of them. Don’t be afraid to stray from your list of questions. Ask follow-ups where needed.
Phrasing of questions. Watch your phrasing. Be neutral. Be fair. Favor open-ended questions. Sources often reveal more than they realize or intend to. Close-ended are designed to elicit specific responses. You are also communicating to your source you have done your homework and are looking for precise detail.
Keep rephrasing the question until the source answers it (but there is a limit, you can't "badger the witnesss")
If time allows, save your most controversial, embarrassing questions for later in the interview. In dealing with persons who have just experienced a tragedy or death, be polite and firm, but ask the necessary questions. The person can always refuse to answer. But ask only relevant questions. You don’t need the gory details.
Two things to do when you are finished with your questions: check key facts, figures and quotes, and then put down your pen and keep ears open. That’s when some sources open up. And checking shows source you are careful.
Before you leave, ask if there’s anything you forgot to ask. You may have missed some important signals. This sometimes leads to entirely new subjects.