Interview format: identical at HL: A clean question–answer layout, a short scene-setting intro and varied question forms are interview skills that SL and HL share.
The interview: An interview (la entrevista) is a written text that presents a conversation: a short introduction to the person, then a series of questions and answers.
In Paper 1
- You choose it when the task tells you to interview someone — a guest, an expert, a public figure — usually for a magazine or website.
- It's part of Unit 2: Text Types.
- The marks come from getting its conventions and register right (Criterion C), not just the content.
What HL adds later
- This dialogue style feeds a fuller 450–600-word response.
- Get the rhythm of asking and answering down now, and the format will serve you in every task.
- la entrevista
- the interview
- el entrevistador / la entrevistadora
- the interviewer (who asks)
- el entrevistado / la entrevistada
- the interviewee (who answers)
- la presentación
- the introduction to the person
- la pregunta y la respuesta
- the question and the answer
- el registro semiformal
- semi-formal register (usted with a respected guest)
Spot it in the task: The task asks you to interview someone. "Entrevista a un deportista…", "Escribe una entrevista a una escritora…" → a question-and-answer text. The give-away is that you write both sides: your questions and the person's answers. Read who you are interviewing first — it sets the register (usted for a guest you respect).
Tasks where it fits
- Interviewing students who won an award for volunteering
- Presenting a young community leader you met
- Reporting a talk with a student group for the school paper
Conventions the examiner checks
- A title and a short introduction to the guest
- Questions and answers marked with names or initials
- A closing question and thanks
Traps that cost Criterion C
- Questions only, with no developed answers
- No introduction to the guest
- Mixing tú and usted with the same guest
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Keep it semi-formal: An interview is semi-formal: a short, clear introduction to the person, then polite questions in a respectful tone.
How to keep it respectful
- With a guest you respect, address them as usted.
- Keep it courteous but lively.
- Consistency matters — mixing usted and tú within the same interview breaks the register and costs you Criterion C.
Interview — do this
- Hoy entrevistamos a…
- ¿Cómo empezó su carrera?
- Le damos las gracias por su tiempo.
Avoid here
- ¡Eh, tío! ¿Qué tal?
- Cuéntame tu vida.
- Bueno, ya está. Adiós.
Stay consistent: Pick usted for the guest and keep it across every question. Verbs and pronouns (su, le, usted) must agree with that choice — never slide into tú halfway through.
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The five parts: Every interview follows the same shape: an introduction, then a few question-and-answer pairs, and a closing thank-you. Hit all five parts and you've covered the conventions the examiner is looking for.
Interview — 5 parts
1
Introduction
Introduce the person and why they're interesting. Hoy entrevistamos a Lucía Fernández, una joven cocinera…
2
Question 1 + answer
Open with a question about their start, then their reply. ¿Cómo empezó su interés…? —Empezó en casa de mi abuela.
3
Question 2 + answer
A question about a challenge or a key moment, then the answer. ¿Cuál ha sido el mayor reto…? —Ganarme la confianza…
4
Question 3 + answer
A question that invites advice or a reflection, then the reply. ¿Qué consejo daría…? —Les diría que tengan paciencia.
5
Closing / thanks
Round off and thank the guest. Para terminar, le damos las gracias por su tiempo.
Intro → Q1+answer → Q2+answer → Q3+answer → Closing/thanks
Don't skip the frame: Students lose easy Criterion C marks by forgetting the introduction or the closing thanks. They take seconds and show you know the text type — never leave them out.
A model, part by part: Here's a complete interview built from the five parts above. Read it once for the content, then tap Ver traducción to check the English or the audio button to hear it.
Modelo: las 5 partes en acción
La entrevista escrita, parte por parte
- Hoy entrevistamos a Lucía Fernández, una joven cocinera que acaba de abrir su primer restaurante en el centro de la ciudad.
- —¿Cómo empezó su interés por la cocina? —Empezó en casa de mi abuela. De pequeña pasaba las tardes con ella, y poco a poco la cocina se convirtió en mi pasión.
- —¿Cuál ha sido el mayor reto de abrir un restaurante tan joven? —Sin duda, ganarme la confianza de los clientes. Sin embargo, el esfuerzo ha merecido la pena.
- —¿Qué consejo daría a quienes quieren dedicarse a esto? —Les diría que tengan paciencia y que disfruten del proceso, porque los resultados llegan con el tiempo.
- Para terminar, le damos las gracias a Lucía por su tiempo y le deseamos mucho éxito con su nuevo proyecto.
Por qué puntúa — why it scores: This short interview earns marks on all three Paper 1 criteria — here's how:
A — Language /12
- Respectful, accurate language; usted throughout
- Connectors: sin embargo, sin duda, porque
- Varied tenses (empezó, ha sido, daría, tengan)
B — Message /12
- Clear purpose: introduces the guest AND develops three answers
- Ideas developed (the start, the challenge, the advice)
C — Conceptual /6
- Interview conventions: intro + Q&A pairs + closing thanks
- Consistent semi-formal register (usted)
- Clear question–answer layout
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A toolkit you can reuse: Learn a few ready-made phrases for each part. They make your interview sound natural and save time in the exam. Tap the audio button to hear them.
Para empezar (introducing the guest)
- Hoy entrevistamos a… — Today we are interviewing…
- Tenemos el placer de hablar con… — We have the pleasure of speaking with…
- Es un honor contar con usted. — It is an honour to have you with us.
Para preguntar (asking questions)
- ¿Cómo empezó…? — How did … begin?
- ¿Cuál ha sido el mayor reto…? — What has been the biggest challenge…?
- ¿Qué consejo daría a…? — What advice would you give to…?
Para terminar (closing & thanks)
- Para terminar,… — To finish,…
- Muchas gracias por su tiempo. — Thank you very much for your time.
- Le deseamos mucho éxito. — We wish you every success.
Use one from each: One line to introduce the guest, three clear questions with answers, and one closing thank-you is plenty — and instantly makes it feel like the real text type.