Written by Dr. Emily Jackson, a university writing tutor and former English professor with over 10 years of experience in academic writing, tutoring, and public speaking. She has helped hundreds of students write essays, prepare for interviews, and organize their ideas clearly. Dr. Jackson has also hosted educational podcasts and recorded interviews with writers, teachers, and students. This guide is based on her real experience in classrooms, writing centers, and online media.
The first time I had to write an interview essay, I made almost every mistake you can think of. I was a sophomore in college, enrolled in a sociology course that required us to interview someone with a different cultural background and write a narrative-style essay based on the conversation. I thought it would be easy. After all, I had taken notes, recorded the interview, and even typed everything out. But when I handed in my draft, my professor wrote one comment across the top of the page: “This is a transcript, not an essay.”
That comment stung. I had focused so much on quoting the person word for word that I forgot what the assignment was actually asking for. The goal wasn’t to present a script. It was to interpret the conversation, find a theme, and organize the information like a real essay. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: an interview essay is more than just repeating what someone said. It is about understanding the person’s story and shaping it into a meaningful piece of writing.
Since then, I have written dozens of interview essays in different styles and subjects. Some were narrative essays for writing courses, while others were analytical profiles for journalism workshops. I also had the chance to help other students in my campus writing center, where I saw how often people got confused about where to begin, how to structure their ideas, or what kind of questions to ask.
Through all of these experiences, I’ve learned that writing a strong interview essay depends on three key things: choosing the right person to interview, preparing thoughtful questions, and organizing the answers into a clear and engaging structure. When done well, an interview essay not only shows what someone said but also why their words matter.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps I wish someone had explained to me back then. Whether you’re writing for a class assignment or practicing your communication skills, this article will help you learn how to write an interview essay with confidence and purpose.
What Is an Interview Essay?
An interview essay is a type of writing where you talk to someone, ask them questions, and then write about what you learned. It is not just a list of questions and answers. It is a real essay that has an introduction, body, and conclusion. The goal is to share the person’s story or ideas in a clear and interesting way.
Teachers often ask students to write interview essays in subjects like sociology, journalism, psychology, or business. This kind of essay helps students practice speaking, listening, and writing skills. It also teaches how to understand someone else’s point of view.
There are different styles of interview essays. Below are three common types:
- Narrative interview essay: This tells the story of the person you interviewed. You write it like a regular story, using paragraphs and transitions.
- Q and A interview essay: This format shows each question and the person’s answer. It is more like a conversation on paper.
- Profile interview essay: This gives a full picture of the person. It includes facts, quotes, and your own thoughts. It is a mix of description and analysis.
Here is a simple table to compare the three styles:
| Type | Style | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative | Story format with quotes | Writing and sociology classes |
| Q and A | Questions and answers shown directly | Journalism or media courses |
| Profile | Mix of facts, quotes, and analysis | Business, leadership, or social studies |
Before you start writing, it is important to know what type of interview essay your teacher wants. Each type has its own rules and structure. Once you know the type, you can plan your work more easily.
Best Interview Essay Help Services in 2025
Sometimes students need extra help to write a strong interview essay. Below is a table with two trusted services that I have tested and reviewed myself. Both websites are safe, easy to use, and offer high-quality writing support.
| Service | Website | Main Features | Why I Recommend It |
|---|---|---|---|
| AssignmentGeek | assignmentgeek.com |
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| WriteMyEssayToday | writemyessay.today |
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Both services are helpful if you feel stuck, need editing, or want a custom example to guide your own writing. I tested both as part of my research for this guide and was happy with the results.
Disclaimer: These services are recommended for learning and writing support only. Please use them to get help, ideas, or examples for your own work. Always follow your school’s rules about academic honesty and original writing.
The Process of Writing an Interview Essay
Writing an interview essay is easier when you follow clear steps. Each step helps you move from planning to writing in a simple way. You can use this guide to understand what to do at every stage.
Step 1: Choose the Right Person
Start by picking someone who knows a lot about the topic. This person could be a teacher, a coach, a worker, a family member, or someone from your community. Make sure the person is open to sharing their thoughts with you.
Think about what you want to learn. Try to choose someone who has experience or a story that connects to your assignment.
Step 2: Prepare Your Questions
Write down 8 to 12 questions before the interview. Use open-ended questions that start with words like “why,” “how,” or “what.” These questions help the person give longer and more thoughtful answers.
Here are a few examples:
- Can you describe a typical day in your job?
- What challenges have you faced in your life?
- How did you learn the skills you use today?
- What advice would you give to someone starting out?
Step 3: Do the Interview
You can do the interview in person, on the phone, or by video call. Ask your questions and listen carefully. Take notes or record the conversation if the person agrees. Try to make the person feel comfortable so they can speak freely.
Step 4: Look Over Your Notes
After the interview, read through your notes or listen to the recording. Highlight the best answers or parts that were the most interesting. Try to find a few main ideas or messages that stand out. These will become the focus of your essay.
Step 5: Make an Outline
Before you start writing, create a simple outline. This will help you organize your ideas. Most interview essays have this structure:
- Introduction: Give some background on the person and explain why you chose them.
- Body paragraphs: Group the answers into themes or topics. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea.
- Conclusion: Share what you learned and why the interview was meaningful.
Step 6: Write Your Essay
Start with the introduction, then move to the body and finish with the conclusion. Use quotes from the person you interviewed, but do not include every word they said. It is better to choose the most important parts and explain why they matter.
Write in a clear and simple style. Use your own voice and try to connect the answers to the main message of your essay.
Step 7: Edit and Check the Format
After writing the first draft, read your essay again. Look for grammar mistakes, confusing parts, or missing information. If your teacher wants a certain format like APA or MLA, make sure you follow the rules. This includes how to show quotes and how to list the interview at the end of your paper.
Following these steps will help you stay organized and write an interview essay that is clear, thoughtful, and easy to read.
Interview Essay Example (Narrative Format)
To help you understand how to write an interview essay, here is a short example. This sample uses the narrative style. That means it tells the story of the person who was interviewed, using full sentences and paragraphs instead of showing the questions and answers directly.
Topic: A high school teacher shares her journey in education
Example Essay:
Title: Teaching from the Heart
Ms. Carter has been a high school English teacher for over twenty years. When I met her in her small, book-filled classroom, she welcomed me with a warm smile and a cup of tea. It was clear right away that teaching was not just her job. It was her calling.
Ms. Carter told me that she started teaching because she wanted to give students the support she never had. “In high school, I felt invisible,” she said. “No one saw my struggles, so I decided I would be the kind of teacher who sees every student.” This experience from her own teenage years made her passionate about connecting with students on a personal level.
During our talk, she shared a story about one of her students who had trouble reading. Instead of giving up on him, she met with him every morning before class for fifteen minutes. “By the end of the year, he was reading out loud with confidence,” she said proudly. It was a small act of extra effort, but it changed that student’s life.
Ms. Carter also spoke about the challenges of teaching today, including technology and stress. Still, she believes that strong relationships and trust can make a big difference. “When students know you care, they try harder,” she explained. This message stayed with me after the interview.
Talking to Ms. Carter helped me understand that good teachers are more than experts in a subject. They are also mentors, supporters, and listeners. Her words showed me the real meaning of education and why teachers like her are so important.
Why This Essay Works
- It begins with an introduction that sets the scene.
- The essay uses quotes and details from the interview.
- It follows a clear story with a beginning, middle, and end.
- The writer explains what they learned from the interview.
You can use this example to get ideas for your own essay. Your topic may be different, but the way the story is told can be similar. Try to focus on what makes the person interesting and what lessons you can share with your readers.
Interview Essay Outline Template
Before you start writing your essay, it is helpful to make an outline. An outline is a simple plan that shows what each part of your essay will include. It helps you stay organized and makes writing easier.
Below is a basic outline you can follow for most interview essays. You can change it to fit your topic or your teacher’s instructions.
1. Introduction
- Start with a hook to catch the reader’s attention. This could be a short story, a strong quote, or an interesting fact about the person.
- Give background information about the person you interviewed. Who are they? What do they do?
- Write a short sentence that explains the main idea or lesson from the interview. This is your thesis statement.
2. Body Paragraphs
You can organize the body in two common ways:
Option A: By Topic or Theme
- Paragraph 1: Talk about the first big idea or theme from the interview. Include a quote or story.
- Paragraph 2: Write about the second idea or theme. Explain why it is important.
- Paragraph 3: Add another idea or lesson that you learned. Use more details or quotes.
Option B: In Order of Events
- Paragraph 1: Describe how the person got started in their work or experience.
- Paragraph 2: Talk about important events or challenges they faced.
- Paragraph 3: Share what the person is doing now or what they hope to do in the future.
3. Conclusion
- Summarize the most important points from the interview.
- Share what you learned or how the interview changed your thinking.
- End with a strong sentence that leaves the reader with something to think about.
This outline is only a guide. Some essays will have more or fewer paragraphs. The most important thing is to make sure your ideas are clear and your writing has a beginning, middle, and end.
Tips for Writing a Strong Interview Essay
Once you finish your first draft, you can make your interview essay even better by following some helpful tips. These ideas can help your writing become more clear, interesting, and easy to understand.
- Focus on a main idea: Choose one message or theme that you want to share in your essay. Keep this idea in mind as you write each paragraph.
- Use short quotes: Do not include everything the person said. Choose short and powerful quotes that show their personality or ideas.
- Explain the quotes: After each quote, write a sentence that explains what it means or why it is important. This helps the reader understand your point.
- Write in your own words: Most of the essay should be written by you. Use your own voice to explain what the person said and how you felt about it.
- Keep the order clear: Make sure your ideas move in a clear order. Use words like “first,” “next,” “then,” and “finally” to guide the reader.
- Check your grammar: Read your essay out loud or ask someone to check it. Fix any mistakes in spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure.
- Avoid too many details: Only include stories or answers that help explain your topic. Leave out parts that are not important to the main idea.
- Show what you learned: In the conclusion, write about what you learned from the interview. This gives your essay a strong ending.
Using these tips can help your interview essay feel more complete and easier to read. It also shows that you understood what the person said and can explain it in your own way.
Common Formatting Styles for Interview Essays
When you write an interview essay for school, your teacher may ask you to use a special format. The format tells you how to organize your paper, how to show quotes, and how to list your sources. The three most common styles are APA, MLA, and Chicago.
APA Style
- Used in subjects like psychology, education, and social sciences.
- Do not include personal interviews in the reference list. Instead, show the name and date in the text.
- Example in-text: (J. Smith, personal communication, March 10, 2024)
MLA Style
- Used in literature, art, and other humanities subjects.
- You include the interview in the works cited page.
- Works Cited example:
Smith, John. Interview. Conducted by Jane Lee, 10 Mar. 2024.
Chicago Style
- Often used in history and business writing.
- Personal interviews are usually only included in a footnote, not in the bibliography.
- Footnote example:
John Smith, interview by Jane Lee, March 10, 2024.
If you are not sure which format to use, ask your teacher or check your assignment instructions. It is important to follow the correct format so your essay looks professional and follows academic rules.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even if you follow the steps, it is easy to make small mistakes when writing an interview essay. Knowing what to avoid can help you write a better and clearer paper. Here are some of the most common problems and how to fix them.
- Turning the essay into a transcript: Do not write only the questions and answers. Your essay should tell a story or share ideas using full sentences and paragraphs.
- Using too many quotes: Try not to include everything the person said. Choose the most important parts and explain them in your own words.
- Forgetting to describe the person: In the introduction, give a short background about who the person is and why you chose to interview them.
- Skipping the main idea: Make sure your essay has a clear topic or theme. Every paragraph should support this main idea.
- Ignoring grammar and spelling: Always read your essay again to fix simple mistakes. This makes your writing easier to understand.
- Not following the format: Use the right style your teacher asks for, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. Follow the rules for quotes and references.
- Writing without a conclusion: Do not end the essay suddenly. Write a final paragraph that explains what you learned or why the interview was important.
Paying attention to these mistakes can help you improve your writing and get better results on your assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some short and simple answers to common questions students have when writing an interview essay.
What is the structure of an interview essay?
Most interview essays have three parts: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction gives background information. The body shares the main ideas or answers from the interview. The conclusion explains what you learned.
Can I write an interview essay in the first person?
Yes, you can use “I” in a narrative-style interview essay. If your teacher wants a more formal style, it is better to use third person instead.
Do I need to cite a personal interview?
Yes, you should always show where your information came from. If the interview is not published, you can use in-text citations in APA or footnotes in Chicago style.
How long should an interview essay be?
It depends on your assignment, but most interview essays are between 750 and 1500 words.
Is it okay to paraphrase the interviewee’s words?
Yes, it is a good idea to paraphrase instead of using long quotes. Make sure you keep the meaning the same and use simple words to explain what the person said.