Grade 4/5 English

Pit Pony Interview Assignment

You will be working in groups of three or four to create a TV talk show that interviews famous book characters. Each group member will choose a different character from the story and write a script for the TV show. The script will include questions and answers about the character. You will be assessed on your questions and answers as well as your on camera technique.

Write 6-10 questions that relate to one of the characters in the book “Pit Pony”.  Question need to cover areas such as history of the character, events that happen involving the character and what the character will do after the book ends. These can be as simple as "What do you want to do when you grow up?" or as complex as "Why do you believe your father wants you to work in the mine when you are finished school?" After you write each question, write the character's answer in first person ("I"). Allow yourself to write freely in his or her voice; you can edit for mistakes later. As the answers come out, you may think of more questions to ask. Continue until you have a good understanding of the character you have chosen.

Interview question and answers will be due on Friday March 2, 2012.

Final video production due Wednesday March 14, 2012.

Important Interview Information

	GOOD	BAD
►  BODY LANGUAGE How does the interviewer (the one asking the questions) look while talking to the interviewee (the one answering the questions)?	Makes direct eye contact   Sits facing the person Arms at side or in front   Shoulders up and back straight	Looks away or rolls eyes Sits facing away from the person Arms crossed  Shoulders slumped or slouching
►  SPEAKING What does the interviewer sound like while talking to the interviewee?	Speaks slowly   Good articulation of words   Fluctuates voice (high and low)   Speaks loudly   Does not interrupt	Speaks very fast Words mumbled; not understood Uses monotone speech Speaks softly or quietly Interrupts the interviewee
►  INTERVIEW QUESTIONS What type of questions does the interviewer ask the interviewee?	Asks open-ended questions    Asks questions that relate  to the interviewee   Is ready to ask questions	Asks questions that require one- or two word responses Asks questions that do not seem to  relate to the interviewee Is not ready to ask questions; seems unprepared