The write-up consists of taking the raw material from the interview and shaping it into an essay. You need to think about how you wish to present the material in writing, which means you need to interpret the interview.
An important tip: Do not add your own words to make your write-up juicy. You will then be a biased little historian! Interpret carefully what was said from the interviewee’s response.
Here are some exceptional samples (don’t be alarmed please) which I learnt while I was doing an oral history projects from my beloved University lecturer, Dr Kevin Blackburn… (My comments are in italics in red)
Example A
For the purpose of doing this write-up, I interviewed an individual who had survived the Japanese Occupation. He was none other than my grandfather. –
As early as 1941, my grandfather experienced the negative presence of the Japanese. (that’s the main idea) He told me that he was a member of an anti-Japanese movement (he cannot remember its name). His job was to check on the activities of the Japanese Imperial Army advancing from Malaya. Because of that he went undercover as a vegetable seller. ( The writer is elaborating on the main idea) To give supporting evidence to this experience, he recalled to me:
There was a certain 5t" Commander who had organized secret meetings with a group of Malays. They would rent a place in Eunos, radioed their comrades in Malaya about the advancement of the Japanese troops. Then they printed, decoded and disseminated the messages to other comrades here. I wasn't involved but I heard about it. (The writer gives evidence to support his main idea)
My grandfather also talked about how he was ill-treated by the Japanese who suspected him of being involved in anti-Japanese activities. Recalling this he said –
“They brought me to a cubicle in YMCA and I was strapped to an electric chair on a raised platform. I was questioned by a Japanese officer and a translator. I denied everything. I am not a traitor, I’ll never be”
Example B
Born to a middle-income family, my uncle is the eldest child in a family of seven. Being the eldest and as a son, he helped out at his parents' provision shop along East Coast Road. In his free time, he took on other jobs such as a salesman, a fisherman at a kelong (that’s the main idea) (a fishing house built at sea) and also as a vegetable seller to earn extra income. The occupations he took on as a teenager shows the traditional, economic status of the Teochews in old Singapore ( The writer is elaborating on the main idea): -
" Since the early days ...Teochews generally worked as fishermen, retailers of fish, vegetables, rice, fruits and related items..." (The writer gives evidence to support his main idea)
His dedication to these occupations was not only because the teochews dominated them but most likely because they gave him good income. ( Further analysis based on readings)
Retrieved from HSSE website 3rd February 2006, Biography and History,
Blackburn, Kevin http://www.hsse.nie.edu.sg/
Hope these exceptional examples help to give you some ideas. Don't worry, let me see the draft of your write-up, ok? See the timeline for the deadlines.
