Selfinterviews

A self-interview is a method in which a person creates and answers their own questions. It can serve as a tool for personal reflection, a writing device for memoir or journalism, or a preparatory exercise for formal interviews. Self-interviews can be published as a standalone piece or used internally to organize thoughts and ideas.

Conduct typically involves identifying a theme or goal, drafting a set of questions, and then answering them in the respondent’s own voice. Responses may be recorded as written text, audio, or video, and later edited for clarity, coherence, and depth. The process often emphasizes honesty and specificity, with questions that probe values, motivations, turning points, plans, and perspectives on difficult topics.

Content and practice commonly cover motivations, decision-making, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses, and future ambitions. The tone can range from reflective and candid to formal or exploratory. Ethical considerations include avoiding misrepresentation of others, obtaining consent if including third-party perspectives, and disclosing edits or framing when publishing. Because self-interviews rely on memory and self-presentation, they may reflect biases or selective recall and should be interpreted with those caveats in mind.

Benefits of self-interviews include enhanced self-awareness, clearer articulation of ideas, and a practical means of generating material for writing or reporting. They can also serve as rehearsal for broader interviews. Limitations include potential memory distortions and a lack of external verification. As a method, self-interviews are most effective when used in conjunction with other sources and perspectives.