Doing Oral History: Resources

Oral history is an art, not a science. Nevertheless, there are guidelines available that will help you create the best possible oral history interview and thereby to add to the historical record.

• Oral History Best Practices 

  The Oral History Association is a national organization created to guide historians as they conduct oral histories for the purpose of building the historical record. Check out their guidance on the best practices for conducting oral history. 

• Smithsonian Folklife and Oral History Interviewing Guide 
• WWII Museum Oral History Guidelines

  The National World War II Museum has a robust oral history program and offers their guidelines to help the public conduct good oral histories!

• Fundamentals of Oral History

  Texas Historical Commission

• Guidelines for Editing Oral History Transcripts

  Baylor Institute for Oral History

• Southern Oral History Program (SOHP)

  "How To: Resources for Planning and Conducting Oral History Interviews," includes The SOHP Guidebook, SOHP Interview forms, and a bibliography of more than 50 oral history resources. The interview forms include a cover sheet, interview agreement, interview agreement with restrictions, life history form, and proper word form. The SOHP Guidebook includes guidelines on designing an oral history project; advice on conducting, cataloguing, and transcribing interviews; notes on budgets and equipment needs; and ten interviewing tips. (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Southern Historical Collection)