Here are some steps you can take to participate in the National Day of Listening:

• Download the guide: Download the “Do-It-Yourself Guide” at www.nationaldayoflistening.org.

• Find recording equipment: You may already have some. iPhones and some iPods can record audio. So can computers, with the help of software such as Audacity, available for free at http://audacity.sourceforge.net. A digital voice recorder or an old-fashioned cassette recorder could work fine too.

• Plan for good sound: Choose a quiet place to conduct your interview, and test your equipment before you start. If possible, use a microphone and listen to the recording on headphones as you’re interviewing the subject to ensure you’re not missing a word.

• Prepare your question: Think about what you would like to learn about your interviewee. Is there a favorite story you would like the person to tell? You can get inspiration from the question lists at www.storycorps.net.

• Preserve and share your interview: If the recording is digital, you can store it on your computer and burn it onto CDs. You can give copies to family members as holiday gifts, or you can upload and share the audio at http://www.entertonement.com/nationaldayoflistening.

The Associated Press