American Decades Series by Defining "generations" can be subjective and the traits of each cohort are generalized. Date ranges are often based on common economic, social, or political factors that happened during formative years. One can find disagreements and complaints over date ranges, generation names, and the over-generalized "personality" of each generation.
Generation Alpha
Generation Alpha, also known as Generation Covid, refers to those born as early as 2010. They are the first cohort to be born entirely within the 21st century. This generation has the defining shared experience of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during their formative years. The pandemic meant many schools closed, there was limited travel, and social distancing was encouraged. The long-term social effects of the pandemic on children and young adults are still uncertain.
Generation Z (1997 - 2012)
Generation Z, also sometimes known as iGeneration, Zoomers, post-Millennials, or Homelanders, are defined by Pew Research Center as those born between 1997 and 2012. This generation is often thought of as "digital natives" or "born digital" because the internet has always been a part of their lives. While most are too young to remember the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, they grew up in a world concerned with security and international terrorism; the United States has been at war in Afghanistan for most of their lives. They are the most ethnically and racially diverse generational cohorts in America.
Millennial (1981 - 1996)
Millennials, also sometimes referred to as Generation Y, are defined as being born between 1981-1996. Older Millennials have referred to themselves as Xennials, because they identify more closely with Generation X, or as the Oregon Trail Generation, after a popular computer game from their childhood. In the media, the term millennial became synonymous with young adults in general, often pejoratively, and a large number of articles were published blaming "millennials" for ruining traditional industries. This generation's defining historical moment is the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, which took place during their formative years. Many were entering the workforce during the financial crisis of 2008 and the Great Recession, which impacted their finances and economic views. As of 2019, Millennials outnumbered Baby Boomers, becoming the largest generational cohort.
Generation X (1965 - 1980)
Generation X, defined by the Pew Research Center as those born between 1965-1980, is the smallest generation by population, due to lower birth rates. They are sometimes referred to as the MTV generation, as the MTV channel debuted in their formative years. This generation was born during the sexual revolution and women's liberation movement. As they grew up, they saw the fall of the Berlin Wall, the AIDS epidemic, and the dot-com bubble crash in the 1990s.
Baby Boomers (1946 - 1964)
Baby Boomers are defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as those born between 1946 and 1964. This generation's name and and time frame come from the dramatic increase in birth rates post-WWII until 1964, after which the birth rate declined. Since it is tied to birth rates, this is the only generation with definitive dates and recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau. As the largest generational cohort—until recently, when they were surpassed by Millennials—they receive a lot of media and advertising attention.
*Recreated from the Library of Congress Research Guide - Market Segments - Generations
Primary source interviews can be an effective way of integrating first-hand experience and unique information into a research paper. There are four steps to using an interview as a source for your research:
Step One: Where to Start
Determine the goals of your interview:
Once you answer these questions and pick your interviewee, get their basic information such as their name, title, and other general details. If you reach out and your interviewee does not wish to participate, don't be discouraged. Keep looking for another interview contact.
Step Two: How to Write a Good Question
When you have confirmed your interview, it is now time to come up with questions.
When you start to think of questions, write down more questions than you think you'll need, and prioritize them as you go. Any good questions will answer the 5W's and H questions. Asking Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How will help you form a question to ask your interviewee.
You will likely start with broad questions that you can begin to narrow down to more specific and open-ended questions.
Step Three: The Interview
Arrange the interview in a place that will make the interviewee and yourself comfortable. Begin the interview with small talk in order to give both of you a chance to become comfortable with one another. Develop a rapport that will make the interview easier for both of you. If you are recording the interview, let the other person know and give their consent.
Step Four: Incorporating the Interview
When picking the material out of your interview, remember that people rarely speak perfectly. There will be many slang words and pauses that you can take out, as long as it does not change the meaning of the material you are using.
As you introduce your interview in the paper, start with a transition such as “according to” or other attributions. You should also be specific about the type of interview you are working with. This way, you will build a stronger ethos in your paper.
The body of your essay should clearly set up the quote or paraphrase you use from the interview responses. Be careful not to stick a quote from the interview into the body of your essay because it sounds good. When deciding what to quote in your paper, think about what dialogue from the interview would add the most color to your interview. Quotes that illustrate what your interviewer sounded like, or what their personality is are always the best quotes to choose from.
Once you have done that, proofread your essay. Make sure the quotes you used don’t make up the majority of your paper. The interview quotes are supposed to support your argument; you are not supposed to support the interview.
For example, let’s say that you are arguing that free education is better than not. For your argument, you interview a local politician who is on your side of the argument. Rather than using a large quote that explains the stance of both sides and why the politician chose this side, your quote is there to support the information you’ve already given. Whatever the politician says should prove what you argue, and not give new information.
Step Five: Example of Citing Your Interviews
MLA
Smith, Jane. Personal interview. 19 May 2018.
Reference List
“Using an Interview in a Research Paper: Writing & Speaking Center.” University Writing & Speaking Center, University of Nevada, Reno, www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/using-an-interview-in-a-research-paper.