Enhancing Students’ Interviewing and Writing Skills
The best writing often begins with a single, powerful question.
Our new Oral History Interview Guide and Biographical Narrative Guide are designed to help students ask better questions, listen deeply, and transform real conversations into vivid, meaningful narratives. Together, these resources offer an engaging, hands-on approach that builds real-world skills students will carry with them long after the project ends.
Using the guides, students interview a family member about a pivotal moment in their life, then craft a short narrative from that person’s perspective. Along the way, they’ll practice essential skills: developing thoughtful, open-ended questions; conducting a meaningful interview; and shaping a story with purpose and voice.
More than just writing exercises, these projects empower students to take ownership of their learning. They’ll make choices at every stage — selecting their interview subject, deciding how to frame their questions, and finding the heart of the story they want to tell. It’s an experience that strengthens critical thinking, empathy, and communication skills all at once.
Part 1: Oral History Interview Guide
Our Oral History Interview Guide serves as a structured framework for students to prepare, conduct, and reflect on their interview. The guide includes a checklist that walks students through the essential steps of the interview process, from choosing an interview subject to preparing thoughtful questions. The included standards-aligned rubric ensures that students stay on track and meet key learning objectives, such as practicing active listening and asking insightful, reflective questions.
This part of the project promotes vital skills in communication. By listening closely and asking follow-up questions, students strengthen their ability to understand diverse perspectives while honing their interviewing techniques.
Part 2: Biographical Narrative Guide
After conducting the interview, students move on to the second part of the project: writing a biographical narrative. The Biographical Narrative Guide helps students organize their thoughts, brainstorm, draft, and revise their story. The guide takes students step-by-step through the narrative process, providing clear instructions and checkpoints.
Like the Oral History Interview Guide, the Biographical Narrative Guide includes a standards-aligned rubric to help ensure that students meet the expectations for each stage of the process. Students also engage in peer review activities, allowing them to receive constructive feedback and strengthen their work.
When students learn to ask meaningful questions and tell powerful stories, they’re not just practicing academic skills — they’re learning how to connect, reflect, and understand the world around them.
Download these helpful resources, and other free lesson planning and professional learning resources, to help your students turn conversations into lasting learning.