President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. Almost everyone who was alive back then remembers the event. Find someone who remembers that day. Interview them about Kennedy and the assassination. Questions could include: When did they first learn of the shooting? What do they remember about the aftermath? If they voted in 1960, who did they vote for and why? What is their opinion about Kennedy as a President?
The interview can be done in any reliable manner. Although a cell phone or tape recorder is very helpful, accurate note taking is sufficient. You are expected to present an edited transcript, to make it coherent and readable, but the editing should leave the words and essence of the individual’s memories intact.
The paper should be no shorter than six double-spaced typewritten pages. Like any assigned formal work, the style, grammar and general appearance will be considered in the grade. However, the transcript should reproduce the individual’s exact words.
The Paper should follow this format:
1. BIOGRAPHY – a brief biography of the individual including: name, date and place of birth, family members, and other information (like school or work history) which may be helpful in providing background to the interview.
2. CONDITIONS – how was the interview taken, how many sessions, how long, what recording method, how did the person behave during the interview (comfortable? relaxed? nervous?)
3. EDITED TRANSCRIPT – This should be a minimum of three pages. In the transcript you will take your subject’s words, eliminate some, rearrange others, with the goal of presenting a coherent story. You may add parenthetical comments where helpful. You may want to include your questions if that makes the transcript more intelligible. REMEMBER, THE TRANSCRIPT SHOULD BE MADE UP OF THE INDIVIDUAL’S ACTUAL WORDS.
4. EVALUATION – Do you think the person was accurate, did the interview add to your knowledge of the Kennedy era, did doing the paper add to your understanding of how history is created, how well was your subject’s life experience reflected in the textbook’s treatment of that era, give the reasons for your judgments.