BRANDON ADAMS

Oral History Interview

StoryCorps URL: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/fys-interview-about-the-theme-of-protests-with-ryan-jarrell-by-brandon-adams/

Student Reflection

The part of the process that I found most difficult was coming up with the questions. This was most difficult for me because I felt I couldn’t come up with interesting questions. As for the most enjoyable part, I would have to say the interview itself was the most interesting. I enjoyed the conversation and seeing another persons point of view.

I didn’t really learn anything from the interview that I didn’t know beforehand. I did, however, gain insight to how different people think about things in a different way. 

The experience of conducting the oral history was difficult. I found it  difficult to steer the course of conversation once the interview began. Trying to pay attention to the time and keep track of what is being said and deciding on whether to ask another question or ask the interviewee to expand on comments that they have made in their answers.

I believe the assignment accomplishes the goal of teaching inquiry based thinking as you have to think of good questions that make yourself and others think deeply. You have to ask yourself questions in order to craft well meaning questions that interest the audience.

I do not have any suggestions that I feel would improve upon the assignment. It was an interesting experience and I learned a great deal leading up to the interview itself.

To future students I would suggest listening to as many oral histories as they can. This will give them a better idea of what kinds of questions to ask and also ideas on how to construct the interview.