A focused, printable in-class journalism activity: students interview a classmate and write a short feature that goes beyond the obvious. This is one of the most practical interview assignments in scholastic journalism — low stakes, high skill, and fast to execute. Students typically remember one or two details from it long after the class ends. What's inside (11 pages): Assignment Overview Clear requirements: a lead that doesn't start with a name, 2-3 direct quotes, something specific and interesting, and accurate attribution. Includes an Obvious vs.
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Not Obvious comparison table (5 real examples) and a strong vs. weak lead side-by-side so students know exactly what they're aiming for before they start. Interview Notes Name/date fields, lined note space, three starred boxes for capturing best quotes and the story behind the story, and a space to flag what still needs to be verified. Question-Writing Worksheet Students write their own questions — all 10 of them — before the interview. Two modest starters are provided but the page is designed for student-generated questions. There's a separate section for follow-up questions that came up mid-interview (questions they didn't plan). Builds the habit of preparation without handing students a script. Draft Writing Space Pre-writing prompts (What's the most interesting thing you learned?
What's your lead going to be about?) followed by lined writing space. Rubric + Self-Reflection + Teacher Notes 100-point rubric across 5 criteria (lead, quotes, beyond the obvious, structure, accuracy). Three self-reflection questions. Teacher notes covering pairing strategies, timing, what to say when students produce flat stories, and extension ideas including publication. This activity is part of the Interview Techniques Bundle — a complete 3-week journalism unit covering interview skills from first question to published story. Both are included in the Complete High School Journalism Curriculum Bundle. If this resource saved you prep time, please leave a rating under My Purchases Provide Feedback. Every review earns you TpT Credits toward future purchases — roughly $1 in credits for every $10 reviewed.
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Designed for grades 8th – 12th.
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