A proper structure of an interview serves multiple purposes that are essential in content production. I have analyzed the interview with Lizzo conducted by popular radio host Terry Gross to examine the style of a speech and narration she used to create an engaging piece of content. The structure of this broadcast reveals how Gross makes her unique inquiries that seamlessly form a monogamous story from the answer of her guests. Throughout the interview, it is noticeable that Gross is focused on delivering content to her listeners instead of merely engaging in discussion with Lizzo. To provide the listener with a general idea of who the person being interviewed is, Gross begins her podcast with a sample of Lizzo’s music tracks from her last album, “Cuz I Love You.” She presents new information that is already known to the interviewee to the public to avoid any knowledge gaps.
From the structure of the interview and its questions, it is clear that Terry Gross had been seeking a topic that will be the most engaging for a listener to follow. Gross had examined the biography of Lizzo and the recent events regarding her performances and personality. From this point onward, the host focused her efforts on leading the guest through a series of related topics until they have reached the foundation of Lizzo’s talent. The questions regarding Lizzo’s musical instrument of choice, experience from the streets, and religious journes appear to be prepared ahead of the interview. In this dialogue, Gross’s questions guide Lizzo into discussing the source of motivation for her career and life decisions.
Gross started her questions from the current point of Lizzo’s career, slowly leading her into the past to discuss the origins of the extraordinary combo of Lizzo’s music and performance styles. Most of these questions were not baseless and stemmed from Lizzo’s statements regarding her career. Due to the data that Gross gathered prior to the interview, she was able to predict what topic will lead to new information. For example, Gross learned about Lizzo’s religious origins prior to the interview, and it was her intention to lead the singer toward this topic from the beginning. The host had shown her ability to understand when the case was exhausted and switched to auxiliary subjects immediately.
However, the conversation does not seem to be staged or read from a script. It might appear so from a listener’s point of view when examined solely on how well articulated Gross’s questions are. In truth, Lizzo reveals the next step for Gross to take herself, for example, by stating, “when you come from a family church that your great grandmother and great grandfather founded.” Gross uses these revelations as starting points for her subsequent inquiry. It appears to have been necessary to interrupt Lizzo’s speech and direct her towards the topics more closely related to her past than her current career achievements.
In conclusion, by asking Lizzo regarding topics that stem from her past, Gross allows her guest to freely express herself while waiting for an opportunity to ask the interviewee to expand on a particular subject. This way, Lizzo herself narrates the story Gross wants her to reveal. The host does not state what her goal is to her guest, and neither is this information known to a listener. I believe that this probing style of questioning makes Gross’s podcasts uniquely engaging. However, it is difficult to remain within the podcast’s time limit when attempting to structurize a discussion in this manner, which is why Gross had to interrupt Lizzo during her monologues.
The interview can be described as primarily informal due to Lizzo’s style of expression. It is noticeable that the host picked up on the attitude of the interviewee and began to express her ideas and questions in a less formal manner as well. In this interview, Lizzo often uses idioms and slang words. For example, she describes her choice of a musical instrument as “the flute chose me.” However, Gross avoids using any figures of speech that are unnecessary in the context. I believe it helps her to ensure that the communication remains straightforward and does not get derailed for any reason since the airing time is limited. Still, Gross follows through with Lizzo’s expressive narration and uses informal speech, for example, by describing the musical instrument as “the coolest.” By adhering to a high level of formality, the host remains on point with her questions and remarks.
In my future work, these techniques can be employed to create a well-structured story delivered from an interviewee with the help of my leading questions. It is apparent from this interview that the direction of a dialogue can be set up prior to its occurrence, while the lack of preliminary preparation from a person being interviewed makes it more lively. A highly qualified host can use the knowledge he or she has about the subject to lead an interviewee to a topic that is highly popular and will attract significant attention. The ability to stay within time constraints during such a discussion is especially crucial.
Works Cited
Lizzo. “Lizzo On Feminism, Self-Love And Bringing ‘Hallelujah Moments’ To Stage.” Fresh Air, interview by Terry Gross, National Public Radio, 2019. Web.