First Person Project Question Builder
Creating oral history can be enlightening, deeply personal, humorous, emotionally draining, and fun, often all at the same time.
Good oral histories start with good questions, and the First Person Project Question Builder is intended as a starting point for putting together an oral history interview. Ultimately, you will be the judge of which questions are most appropriate for the oral history you create, but we hope that this tool will help you on your way.
What is your first name?
What is your last name?
What is your email address?
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Yes
No
What kind of oral history do you want to do?
Check the option below that most closely matches the type of oral history you are planning.
Interview an individual about his or her life or connection to a historical event.
Interview an individual in remembrance of another who has passed away.
Who will you be interviewing?
Provide the full name, to the best of your knowledge, of the individual you wish to interview.
Who will you be remembering?
Provide the full name, to the best of your knowledge, of the individual you wish to remember.
Questions about an individual's life experiences
What's your full name?
When were you born?
Where were you born?
Tell me about where you grew up.
When you think of your childhood, what first comes to mind?
Tell me about your grandparents, your parents, your brothers and sisters.
What schools did you attend growing up?
What did you aspire to be when you were a young person?
Where did you go to college?
What were some of the issues of the day that interested you?
How did you meet my mother/father?
When did you get married?
Let's talk about your children and husband/wife.
Tell me about your work life.
Describe your spiritual/religious life.
What would you do differently?
How do you want to be remembered?
Other:
Questions about an individual's experiences with historical events
Tell me about (the event)
How did you come to be involved with (the event)?
How did you feel about the way things happened?
Who were some of the people you knew who were also involved?
Looking back, what is your perspective on that time?
What did you learn from your experience?
What would you tell young people today about that time?
Other:
Questions for discussing an individual who has passed away.
How did you know the individual? How would you describe your relationship?
When and where was he or she born?
Can you describe his or her family?
What made him or her remarkable?
How do you think he or she would want to be remembered?
Other: