Some tips to help you prepare for an interview:

Understand why you are being interviewed

Find out exactly what the topic and angle of the interview will be. How will the interview be used - for a news story, a current affairs feature or an entertainment piece?

Don't be afraid to do the interview

People often turn down the chance to be interviewed because they're nervous, or afraid they'll say the wrong thing. Instead, think of the interview as a golden opportunity for you to convey your message. If perceptions about you, your school, or youth in general have been wrong in the past, this is your chance to set the record straight.

Know your rights

Remember, you do have a choice about being interviewed. If you're uncomfortable with the idea, you can say no. You can also discuss options with the reporter: you can ask that only your first name be used, you can ask for anonymity, or you can ask to be interviewed off-camera. If the reporter has called to interview you over the phone and you don't feel prepared to talk right away, ask the reporter when you can call him/her back. But don't back out just because you're intimidated. The only way you'll get to be media-savvy is to practice!  (For more information, see the Your Rights as an Interviewee section.)

Think about what you want your main message to be

What is your reason for wanting to speak to the reporter? Think about the main message you want to convey, and how to weave it into every answer you give. That way, even if your answers are cut and spliced during the editing process, your message will still come through. (For more on this, see the Preparing Your Main Message section.)

Be prepared, but not over-rehearsed

If possible, get a list ahead of time of the questions you'll be asked. This is common practice for television and radio interviews. It gives you the chance to think of what you want to say before you're asked the questions on-air. Make sure you know your subject inside and out. Write down answers to any questions you think may be asked, but avoid memorizing statements. A successful interview should never appear rehearsed - and reporters dislike prepared statements, because they sound stiff and unnatural. Besides, if you depend on prepared statements you could be thrown off if the reporter asks you an unexpected question.