Active listening is a crucial skill for narrative journalists. It involves fully concentrating on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. This technique builds rapport, encourages honest responses, and uncovers unexpected angles.

Verbal and non-verbal cues play a vital role in active listening. Affirmative sounds, paraphrasing, and relevant follow-up questions show engagement. Maintaining eye contact, nodding, and mirroring body language demonstrate attentiveness and interest in the conversation.

Understanding Active Listening

Role of active listening

• Active listening fully concentrates on speaker understanding message being conveyed responding thoughtfully
• Builds rapport with interviewee encourages detailed honest responses gathers accurate information allows better follow-up questions
• Improves quality of gathered information enhances overall narrative uncovers unexpected angles or leads (Watergate scandal, #MeToo movement)

Verbal and non-verbal engagement cues

• Verbal cues use affirmative sounds ("mm-hmm," "yes") paraphrase or summarize interviewee's statements ask relevant follow-up questions
• Non-verbal cues maintain appropriate eye contact nod to show understanding lean slightly forward to indicate interest match facial expressions to conversation tone
• Body language keep open posture (uncrossed arms and legs) subtly mirror interviewee's body language avoid distracting movements or fidgeting

Advanced Interviewing Techniques

Follow-up techniques for comprehensive responses

• Types of follow-up questions:
  1. Clarification questions
  2. Probing questions
  3. Elaboration requests
• Use open-ended questions ask for specific examples or anecdotes request additional details on key points
• Employ "5 W's and H" (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How) use phrases like "Tell me more about..." or "Could you expand on..." respectfully challenge inconsistencies or vague statements

Strategic use of silence

• Strategic silence allows interviewee time to reflect prompts additional information without direct questioning avoids interrupting train of thought
• Use silence after complex questions when interviewee seems hesitant or emotional following incomplete or vague responses
• Maintain comfortable attentive posture use non-verbal cues to show continued interest resist urge to fill silence with unnecessary comments
• Balance silence with other techniques know when to break silence with follow-up question transition smoothly to next topic use in conjunction with active listening cues