EVP Q & A Sessions

Getting Started
   When you're going to get involved in recording an E.V.P. session, you have to decide what technique you're going to work with. If you're going to just sit your recorder down and leave it to record, then there isn't much preparation that needs to be done. On the other hand, If you plan to actually engage the ghost, weather it be through questions, or provoking, it may be a good idea to take steps to prepare yourself, and whatever you may be communicating with.

   Never forget to do your research. Having some type of idea of whom or what you're dealing with can help decide how to act, and which questions to ask. I mean, if you're investigating a location which is believed to have ghosts of children, you're going to want to ask questions as if you were babysitting, and trying to make friends with someone elses kid. At the same time you'll also want to realize that the whole 'ghost kid' thing is 100 percent conjecture, so don't put ALL of your eggs into that basket.

The Introduction & Conversation
   If you plan on making your recording session interactive, you're going to have to choose how you want to go about it.  Before making that decision, it's a good idea to keep things professional and conversational.

   Try to look at things as if you were going to be interacting with a living, breathing person. If that were the situation, would you just walk into their home, and start interrogating them? Of course you wouldn't. Think of yourself as a salesman. You're going in there to sell yourself to whom or whatever may be there. To get anywhere with people you HAVE to try to build a rapport.

   I know that that idea sounds a bit silly. I mean, how do you build a rapport with someone or something that doesn't respond to you? Hey, a lot of people talk to their car or other inanimate objects, and somehow those objects develop their own personalities within their owners imagination. With that in mind, is this idea really that far fetched?

   So, you walk into the room, and you start your introduction.

   Do it as if you could see the person that you're introducing yourself to. Go through your normal, 'Hi, how you doin'? My name's...' routine. Explain who you are, and why you're there. Be honest and friendly, and try not to sound rehearsed. Make sure that after you've completed a thought, you pause to give the entity time to respond. KEEP IT NATURAL! How painful is it to sit and watch a bad actor? Don't put the ghost through that torture.

   Also, keep in mind, that if you're following the rules, you should never be investigating or hunting by yourself.  Introduce your partner to the ghost as well. I've seen a lot of people go into a situation as a team and  they both ask the entity questions, and pause for the response. It works but it's a VERY one way conversation. Put yourself in the ghosts shoes. two people or more, barely talking to each other, are both throwing questions at you. It would probably be a bit intimidating.

   In theory, there are at least 3 conscious minds in that room. Try this. Make it a three way conversation. Have a conversation with your partner about things that you'd like the ghost to respond to, and while you're talking, throw out questions to the entity. Think about it. Imagine yourself on a bus or in a waiting room, and two people that you don't know are having a conversation. They seem very friendly, they seem to be interested in what you have to say, and they're also trying to involve you in their conversation. Who would YOU rather talk to, them or the two that are just barking questions at you?

   If you want to try this, the best way to do it is to decide with your partner ahead of time what you want to talk about, and what type of questions are to be asked. It may even be a good idea to write a small script and memorize it, naturally improvisation would be helpful, but it will help get your stories straight. Regardless, make sure you always leave a pause between questions and thoughts to give the entity time to respond.

Questions
   Here's a list of questions that you may wish to ask while recording E.V.P. Oh, and NEVER ask, "Is there anybody here." They don't like that ;)

Personal
What is your name?
How old are you?
What year were you born?
Are you married?
What is your spouses name?
Do you have children?
How old are they?
What are their names?
What is your occupation?
Do you enjoy it?
How are you feeling?
Is there anything in particular that you would like to say?
	
Location
Is this your home?
How long have you been here?
Are you here all the time?
Why are you here?
What is your favorite room in the house?
Is there anyone else here?
What are their names?
Where were you born?
Did you grow up in this area?
Where did you live?
Do you have family here?

General
Do you know who we are?
How do you feel about us being here?
Is there anything we can do for you?
Can I take your picture?
Would you make a sound or knock to show us where you are?
Do you know today's date?
What year is it?
Who is the president of the United States?
Can we talk with you again some other time?   
Can you tell me the color of my hair (or shirt, pants, etc.)

Do NOT ask questions that you cannot "prove"... For instance, if you ask the entity "what color is your hair", how are you going to prove their hair color?  Can you see it?

You can however ask "Can you tell me what color MY hair is?".. this way you know you are working with an intelligent entity, and you can prove the color of your own hair if you happen to get an answer on audio or otherwise.

*** Always be polite when doing EVP sessions, avoid cursing or vulgarity.  Speak clearly and normally.  Make sure others are aware you are doing EVP work and they follow protocols (no whispering or using unusual voices).  Explain any unusual sound you hear including other members talking, coughing, sneezing or laughing, cars and other natural sounds including animals.