Project 2
writing and research
engl 298 section 3 ericsson
spring 2007
In this project you will interview somehow who is important to you--some older with more life-experience than you've had so far. In addition to this person being older, s/he must have lived in the same place (specifically or generally) that you wrote about in your first essay. This person doesn't need to be related to you, but might be. You could interview an older relative, a family friend, a neighbor, or someone you've met in another aspect of your life. As long as you can converse with this person (face-to-race, on the phone, via email), as long as you share the "place" you wrote about for the first assignment, and as long as this person has some time to offer you, the choice is yours.
One goal in this interview is to find out some things you don't know about them--about their life experiences, their childhood, the best times of their lives, their jobs, and much, much more. The object is, at least in part, to get to know more about their life stories.
Also, you need to find out about their attachment to the "place" you've already written about. Were they there for a short or long period of time? What did they think of the place? How did they help to shape it (or not)? Do or did they value it and why or why not? How would they improve it (if that's possible) or change it back to the way it used to be? How do they imagine it will be in the future? How are their life stories connected to this place? There are many more questions you could ask to find out more about their connections to the place.
You need to be well-prepared for this interview, with a list of good question--questions that do not elicit a "yes" or "no" answer. Think carefully about what you'd like to learn from this interview and come up with a list of questions (written out) before you begin the interview. Questions that are well-phrased and thoughtful will produce answers that you will be able to actually use.
Arm yourself with the tools you'll need--a notebook or a tape recorder if needed--and make sure that you are prompt. If you want to record the interview, make sure you have received permission to do so. If you conduct the interview in person, remember to dress appropriately for the interview. Once you become comfortable with the person, you may find yourself asking spontaneous questions and forgetting those on your list. Do not forget to get the information really want. Before you end the interview, ask permission to recontact the person in case you need more information.More information on how to write the interview assignment
Due dates: Feb. 8 draft due for in-class peer review; Feb. 15 final draft due
