2. Acquaint yourself with as much information as possible on the general background of the interviewee.

3.When necessary, arrange a brief preinterview visit so that you and the narrator may be personally acquainted. Shy persons often times are more comfortable with this arrangement.

4. Prepare a list of topics for discussion.

5. Thoroughly check out equipment prior to the interview. An interview should not be an on-the-job training session.

6. Make sure you have all materials you need before departing for the interview:

*recorder

*external microphone

*adapters for two-pronged outlets

*fresh batteries (if necessary)

*tapes

*pencils

*pads

*release forms

*Go over "Interviewer Check-List"

7. Make certain you are interviewing in a room which will minimize external noise, such as air-conditioning, fans, washers, dryers, dishwashers, telephones, cockoo clocks, icemakers, et cetera.

8. Check that the recorder is recording. Identify yourself, the narrator, the date, the place, and the purpose of the project.

9. Proceed with the interview. During the interview, jot down proper nouns and other words if spelling may be questionable, and no verification has been made on the tape.

10. Have the narrator sign release forms.

11. When you arrive at home or at the office, make a list of proper nouns and other words, and aspects of the interview which you think may be useful to future indexers and transcribers.