HIST 420: Voices of Protest

Do your homework. Conduct background research about the subject you are interested in at the library, or on the Internet. For instance, if you are interviewing a Korean War vet, at least be conversant with the major events of that war.  Knowing more enables you to ask better questions and will result in a better interview.

Prepare a list of questions ahead of time. Make sure your questions are clear, concise, and open-ended. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no."  Begin questions with “How” “What” or “Why” and you will generally get a more complete response than questions that begin with “Do” or “Did.”  Be sure you get your key questions answered during the course of the interview, but don't be slavish about sticking to the list. 

Biographical Questions

What is your name?

Where and when were you born?

Where did you grow up?

Where have you lived? What jobs have you had?

What do you do for a living now?

Biographical Details

• Where and when veteran was born.
• Family details: parents’ occupations, number and gender of siblings.
• What veteran was doing before entering the service.
• Other family members who served in the military.

Early Days of Service

• How veteran entered service—draft or enlistment.
• If enlistment, why and the reason for choosing a specific branch of service.
• Departure for training camp, early days of training.
• Specialized training, if applicable.
• Adapting to military life: physical regimen, barracks, food, social life.

Wartime Service

• Where veteran served.
• Details of the trip abroad, if applicable.
• Action witnessed, or duties away from the front line.
• If applicable, emotions relating to combat—witnessing casualties, destruction.
• Friendships formed and camaraderie of service.
• How veteran stayed in touch with family and friends back home; communication from home.
• Recreation or off-duty pursuits.

War’s End, Coming Home

• Where veteran was when war ended.
• How he or she returned home.
• Reception by family and community.
• Readjustment to civilian life.
• Contact with fellow veterans over the years; membership in veterans’ organizations.

Reflections

• How wartime experiences affected veteran’s life.
• Life lessons learned from military service.