Press Interview Fundamentals Press_Interview_Fund - digital | Page 40

Press Interview Fundamentals
Putting Words In Your Mouth
If you allow them to, reporters will try to
“put words in your mouth” if for no other
reason than to create one of the critical
considerations discussed earlier. Here
are some tips on how to address sever-
al notable realities during the interview
and not allow reporters to put words into
your mouth.
If you are asked, faced with or given:
A Forced Choice: Reject it and return to your three points
A Hypothetical: Don’t speculate and transition back to your three points
Paraphrase: Don’t allow the reporter to paraphrase your message, tran-
sition back and restate your message
Mistake: Correct the mistake and transition back to your message
Inflammatory Word: Don’t repeat it.
©2016 Austin Group Consulting.llc
11