Journalism: Recording and Transcribing Interviews
For reporters, freelancers, podcasters and researchers. Transcription eats hours and the quote you need is always forty minutes into the recording. These guides cover recording interviews well, transcribing them accurately, working in other languages and knowing when you need consent.
46 articles
What Is a Pull Quote? Examples and How to Pick One
A pull quote is a short line lifted from an article and set large to catch the eye. See examples, how it differs from a block quote, and a six-question test.
What Is a Byline? Meaning, Examples and Who Gets One
The meaning of byline explained with examples: byline vs dateline, who gets one under AP and NPR rules, plus a freelancer credit email to copy. Learn more.
Attribution in Journalism: Said, According To and Anonymous Sources
Attribution in journalism explained: what to attribute, said vs according to, how to describe anonymous sources, and a story edited with 8 fixes. Learn more.
How to Become a Journalist: Skills, Paths and First Clips
How to become a journalist: 7 steps, four paths with or without a degree, current BLS pay data, a 12-month plan to your first paid clip and a pitch template.
News Values in Journalism: The Criteria Editors Use, With Examples
News values explained: the 7 criteria editors use, Galtung and Ruge's 12 factors, Harcup and O'Neill's 15, and a scoring sheet to pick your story. Try free.
The Inverted Pyramid in Journalism: Structure and Examples
The inverted pyramid in journalism explained: lede, body and tail, a worked example from an interview transcript, and when to skip it. Try ParrotNotes free.
More Journalism articles
What Is a Nut Graf? How to Write One, With Examples
A nut graf tells readers what a story is about and why it matters now. See where it goes, how to write one, examples and mistakes. Try ParrotNotes free.
Student Newspaper Ideas: Stories Your Readers Will Actually Read
40 student newspaper ideas by beat, each with the first source to call or record to request, plus a pitch test and a story budget template for your next issue.
Local News Reporter: The Job, the Beat and the Tools
What a local news reporter does, a sample week on the beat, pay by employer from BLS data, how to get hired, and a first-30-days checklist for a new beat.
Podcast Transcript Format: Example and Template
Podcast transcript format explained: one exchange in five formats (page, Docs, VTT, SRT, JSON), the layout rules, and a copy-ready episode page template.
Journalism Portfolio: What to Include and Examples
Build a journalism portfolio editors trust: what to include, how to pick clips, five platforms with prices checked today, and a 10-point pre-send checklist.
Transcription Guidelines: Rules for Accurate, Consistent Transcripts
Transcription guidelines from Rev, GoTranscript and two universities compared rule by rule, plus a one-page house style you can copy. Try ParrotNotes free.
What Is Citizen Journalism? Examples and How to Do It Well
What is citizen journalism? A clear definition, nine real examples, the pros and cons, and a five-question check before you post. Try ParrotNotes free.
How to Write a News Story: Structure, Example and Checklist
How to write a news story in 7 steps: the inverted pyramid, a lede rewritten three ways, a worked example, template and checklist. Try ParrotNotes free.
Podcast Interview Questions: 60 to Ask Any Guest
60 podcast interview questions sorted by episode stage, plus a pre-interview form, fixes for overused questions and a 45-minute run sheet. Copy them free.
Feature Writing Examples and How to Write One
Feature writing examples by type, from Talese's Sinatra profile to Schulz's quake story, plus a seven-step method and annotated opening. Try ParrotNotes free.
What Is Investigative Journalism? Methods and Famous Examples
What is investigative journalism? Definitions from GIJN and UNESCO, six core methods, five famous examples and an investigation plan. Try ParrotNotes free.
Off the Record Meaning: On Background, Not for Attribution and More
Off the record meaning explained with AP's definitions: background, deep background, not for attribution, agreeing terms and notes. Try ParrotNotes free.
Interview Consent Form: Template and What to Include
A free interview consent form template with eight clauses, a verbal consent script for tape and the clauses each type of interview needs. Try ParrotNotes free.
Expert Interview: How to Prepare, Ask and Quote
An expert interview guide for reporters and writers: vet the expert, use a 20-question bank, check the claims and quote them fairly. Try ParrotNotes free.
Fact-Checking for Reporters: A Step-by-Step Method
Fact checking your own story before you file: a seven-step method, a claim log template, a worked example and a printable checklist. Try ParrotNotes free.
Ethnographic Interview: Questions, Method and Field Notes
Ethnographic interview guide: Spradley's question types with examples, consent in the field and a field note template you can copy. Try ParrotNotes free.
Podcast Show Notes: A Template and Examples
Podcast show notes made easy: a copy-ready template, two filled-in examples, Apple and Spotify chapter rules and a pre-publish check. Try ParrotNotes free.
Journalism Code of Ethics: The SPJ Code in Practice
The journalism code of ethics explained: the SPJ Code as revised October 2026, its four principles and a 10-point check before you file. Try ParrotNotes free.
Semi-Structured Interview in Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide
Semi-structured interview in qualitative research explained: a one-page guide template, a probe bank, consent and recording tips, memoing. Try ParrotNotes free.
Documentary Interview: How to Prepare, Film and Log It
Documentary interview guide: pre-interview, release form, question themes, eyeline, room tone, a shoot-day run sheet and a log template. Try ParrotNotes free.
User Research Interview: Questions and a Note-Taking System
Run a user research interview that holds up: 30 questions by stage, the ones to avoid, a one-page note sheet and a 10-minute debrief. Try ParrotNotes free.
Focus Group Transcription: Formats, Speaker Labels and Turnaround
Focus group transcription made manageable: pick a format, label 6 to 10 speakers, plan turnaround and copy a transcript template. Try ParrotNotes free.
How to Conduct an Interview: A Reporter's Step-by-Step Guide
How to conduct an interview step by step: research, a question ladder, ground rules, follow-ups, silence and the hard question. Try ParrotNotes for free.
Freelance Journalist Tools: A Lean Kit for 2026
Freelance journalist tools for every part of the job: pitching, recording, verification, invoicing, contracts, source security and backups. Get the lean kit.
How to Transcribe an Interview in Another Language
How to transcribe a foreign language interview: keep the source transcript as the record, translate only your quotes, and check them. Try ParrotNotes free.
Shorthand for Journalists: Do You Still Need It?
Shorthand for journalists explained: Teeline, the NCTJ 100 wpm standard, where a recorder can't go, and a 30-item abbreviation set. Record the rest free.
Transcription Software for Journalists: 8 Tools Compared
Transcription software for journalists compared: 8 tools with prices checked October 4, 2026, where your audio is stored, and which fits each interview.
AI for Journalists: Useful Work It Can Take Off Your Plate
AI for journalists, done honestly: transcription, translation, document search and summaries, the checks you still run, and what AP and Reuters allow.
Oral History Transcription: A Practical Guide
Oral history transcription made practical: transcript, index or summary, a style sheet based on Baylor's guide, a 7-step workflow and a header template.
Qualitative Interview Transcription: A Step-by-Step Guide
Qualitative interview transcription step by step: match detail to your method, use a notation protocol, anonymize with a log, and format transcripts for coding.
Verbatim vs Clean Verbatim Transcription: Which to Use
Verbatim transcription or clean verbatim? See how each style treats 12 speech features, which one nine common jobs need, and how to get both from one file.
Journalist Recording Devices: Do You Still Need One?
Do you still need a journalist recording device? See which assignments a phone covers, where a recorder earns its place, and five devices priced today.
One-Party Consent States: The Full List of All 50 States (2026)
32 states plus DC are one-party consent states and 11 need everyone's consent. The full list, the split states, phone vs in-person rules and calls across state lines.
How to Record an Interview on Your Phone
Learn how to record an interview on your phone: settings to change, how to ask consent on tape, where to put the phone, and what to do right after you stop.
The Best Interview Recording App for Reporters in 2026
Find the best interview recording app for in-person, phone and remote interviews: nine apps checked in September 2026, consent notes and a field checklist.
How to Quote an Interview: Find, Check, Edit and Cite
Learn how to quote an interview: find the line in a long recording, check it against the audio, edit it ethically, and cite it in APA or MLA. Free template.
Reporter Notebook vs Voice Notes: When Each One Wins
What a reporter notebook is, where it came from, and when to write versus record: a decision table by assignment, the consent rules, and a merged-notes layout.
Podcast Transcription: How to Get a Clean Transcript of an Interview Show
Podcast transcription for interview shows: why it matters, what a transcript needs, a five-step workflow, a copy-ready template and an episode-page checklist.
How to Transcribe an Interview Properly
Learn how to transcribe an interview properly: prep the recording, pick manual or AI, run a correction pass, check quotes against the audio, and store it.
Interview Transcription Example and Format (3 Styles)
See an interview transcription example in three styles: verbatim, clean verbatim, and Q&A with timestamps. Copy the template and the formatting checklist.