if you could interview anyone

For: Individuals
Difficulty: Beginner

Objective
Upon completion of this lesson, students will demonstrate the ability to research and formulate questions for an interview with a specific historical figure.

Points to emphasize

• Avoid the obvious

• Make sure your research is thorough so you can form great questions

Equipment: Online computer or access to the library
(This is a great assignment when you prefer not to use equipment for a day or two.)

Assignment

Have students select a historical figure they would love to have a conversation with and, after researching their lives, write ten questions they would like to ask this person.

BONUS: Award extra credit to the student the class believes asks the best questions.

Tips for the Reporter:  

• Go “beyond the obvious” and ask questions that would lead to real insight.

• Avoid closed questions that only elicit one or two-word answers. 

• The person you choose to research can be from the recent past (last ten years) or from the distant past. Just make sure you really are interested in the person you choose so you will write better questions.

Suggestion for Teachers: 

Have students read all ten questions aloud and share their thought processes as they wrote them. See if other students come up with questions for the interview subject.

Possible Related Assignment: 

If you could interview anyone at this school, who would it be and what would you ask them?