communications merit badge

speak about topics you're interested in: you can be authoritative

use an outline and give a presentation from an outline, not a script, so you don't sound robotic

be yourself, and speak like you're talking to a good friend

act confidently, even if you aren't

the best way to get experience is to do it

take notes during an interview

ask open ended questions

you don't need to use every piece of information: use the most important and interesting things

• who are they
• what relevant or interesting things have they done
• what will they talk about today

research the subject beforehand, and have questions listed beforehand (know before you go)

take notes during an interview

ask for permission before recording an interview

ask open ended questions for broad answers

ask closed ended questions for specific answers

reword questions if you didn't understand the answer

save the toughest questions in an interview for last

revisit your notes as soon as possible while they're fresh in your mind

write down what's important, not every word

use shorthand (w/o, abbreviations, etc)

write down what's important, not every word

do research on the topic (know before you go)

get an agenda if you can

don't form your own opinion, report the opinions of who's talking

If someone says it's raining and another person says it's dry. It's not your job to quote them both. Your job is to look out the fucking window and find out which is true.