Prewrite   The big day has arrived. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: Be on time. Be respectful. This person is sharing an important time in his or her life. Honor that. If you've brought a tape recorder, make sure it's on. Give the person time to respond to each question. He or she is remembering events that happened long ago. Be patient. Write down what you think is most interesting. Write down answers to your questions. Use quotation marks to show the interviewee's exact words. Be a good listener. Sometimes the best questions are prompted by an answer to another question. Don't be afraid to veer from your list to ask about something your interviewee just said. Thank the person for talking with you and sharing memories of World War II. Tell the person you will share a copy of your final report.