Introduction
Both interviews and discussions are different from speeches because in interviews and discussions, you must respond to what another person says. Even with prepared questions, you can’t really practice your delivery for an interview beforehand. If you aren’t extremely focused during the interview, you will not be a good interviewer or discussion participant.
In addition, you can’t effectively participate in a discussion group or conduct a successful interview if you don’t take notes. Most of us like to think that we have the ability to store lots of information in our brains without having to take notes, but quite often we are unable to remember as much as we would like. To have all the information you need, you must take good notes. (For more information about taking notes, refer to the Listening lesson “Learning How to Listen and Take Effective Notes.”)
One of the most important assets you can bring to interviews and discussions is your own curiosity. Maybe you don’t think of curiosity as an asset, but it can be useful to access your curiosity as you speak. As a warm-up for this lesson, use your notes and take two minutes to write as many questions as you can about the blue, four-word statement below. Imagine that the statement is made by someone you will be talking with or interviewing later. When you are finished, check your understanding to see some possible responses.
I like tropical fish.
Remember to stop writing after two minutes. Go!
Sample Responses:
Do you have tropical fish? How do you take care of them? Where did you get them? Are all tropical fish saltwater fish? What do you feed them? What breed or species is your biggest fish? Have you ever seen them in a natural setting? Which fish do you like the best? What kind of fish do you think is most beautiful? What gives you the greatest pleasure about having fish? How much have you learned about your tropical fish? Does knowledge about them make you enjoy them more? Do you know other people who have tropical fish? Do you subscribe to magazines or read books about tropical fish? Do you collect art that depicts tropical fish? What annoys you about them? Could you see yourself making an occupation of caring for or selling tropical fish rather than just caring for them as a hobby? Would you like to take academic classes in fish biology? Do you know people who are uninterested in fish? Do you like it when people show interest in your hobbies? Have you ever made friends with someone because you were both interested in fish? Have you ever lost a fish?
CloseAmong your own questions and the examples, notice that not every question is right for every interview or discussion because tropical fish could come up as a topic in many contexts. Your curiosity, though, will give you a wealth of questions from which to choose.