Announcing Broadcast Communicating Today (with InfoTrac)

by Hausman, Carl; Benoit, Philip; Messere, Frank; O'Donnell, Lewis B.

• ISBN13: 9780534563103
• ISBN10: 0534563104
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-08-04
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

This text presents an introduction to the mechanics, tools, and techniques of television and radio announcing. The text's clear and concise writing style and practical approach have been its consistent strengths and selling points.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
Foreword	xvii
1 The Communicator in Modern Media	1	(28)
Box 1.1: The Medium Is the Message	5	(2)
A Historical Overview	7	(4)
The First Announcers	11	(1)
How the Modern Media Evolved	11	(3)
Developments in Announcing	12	(1)
Current Trends	13	(1)
Era of the Communicator	14	(2)
The Communicator's Role	14	(1)
Responsibilities and Ethics	15	(1)
Box 1.2: What Kind of Broadcasting Job Do You Want?	16	(1)
A Career Self-Appraisal	16	(13)
Do You Have What It Takes?	16	(1)
Is Broadcasting for You?	17	(2)
Connections: The Broadcaster and Social Sciences	19	(5)
Tech Talk: Web TV and Radio	24	(5)
2 Improving Your Speaking Voice	29	(30)
How Your Voice Works	30	(3)
Vocal Anatomy	30	(3)
How Voice Is Produced	33	(1)
Evaluating Your Voice and Speech	33	(13)
Voice	34	(2)
Speech	36	(3)
Focus on Technique: Accent Reduction	39	(7)
Language and the Broadcaster	43	(2)
Self-Evaluation	45	(1)
Box 2.1: Self-Evaluation Checklist	46	(1)
Making Your Speaking Voice More Pleasing	46	(4)
Diaphragmatic Breathing	47	(3)
Exaggerated Diction	50	(1)
Special Considerations for Broadcast Work	50	(1)
Maintaining Your Voice	50	(5)
Box 2.2: Diet and Health Tips	51	(2)
Vocal Abuse	52	(1)
Box 2.3: Some Exercises to Relax Your Body and Throat	53	(3)
Preventing Vocal Abuse	54	(1)
Vocal Relaxation Techniques	55	(1)
Summary	55	(4)
Connections: Rhetoric	56	(11)
Exercises	57	(2)
3 Understanding the Message	59	(21)
Getting the Meaning	59	(6)
Key Words	60	(2)
Mood	62	(1)
Pace	63	(1)
Purpose	64	(1)
Communicating versus Merely Reading	65	(1)
Marking Copy	66	(5)
Phonetic Spelling	66	(1)
Box 3.1: The Associated Press Pronunciation Guide	67	(3)
Marking and Decoding Unfamiliar Words	68	(2)
Box 3.2: Examples of Frequently Mispronounced Words	70	(6)
Using Symbols to Aid Interpretation	70	(1)
Phrasing	71	(4)
Phrasing and Interpretation	72	(1)
Rhythm and Inflection	72	(1)
The Melody of Speech	73	(2)
Summary	75	(5)
Tech Talk: Research on the Web: A Guide for Announcers	76	(14)
Exercises	78	(2)
4 Communicating the Message	80	(40)
Reading Copy	80	(9)
Using Your Voice	81	(1)
Genuine Delivery	81	(2)
Style	83	(6)
Nuances	89	(2)
Gestures	89	(1)
Energy	89	(1)
Box 4. L Guidelines for Projecting Energy	90	(1)
Body Language	90	(1)
Box 4.2: Use Body Language to Your Advantage	91	(1)
Ad-Libbing	91	(10)
Components of an Ad-Lib	92	(2)
Ad-Libbing in Radio	94	(4)
Ad-Libbing on Television	98	(1)
Focus on Technique: See It on the Radio	99	(2)
Playing to Microphones and Cameras	101	(11)
The Microphone	102	(4)
Performing on Camera	106	(1)
Box 4.3: Tips for Using Microphones	107	(5)
Summary	112	(8)
Connections: Ethics	113	(15)
Exercises	118	(2)
5 Radio Staff Announcing Today	120	(34)
The Staff Announcer's Job	121	(24)
Performance	122	(1)
Operations	122	(1)
Organization	122	(1)
Typical Duties	123	(5)
Box 5.1: The Division of Labor in Large and Small Stations	128	(2)
Job Requirements	128	(1)
Equipment	129	(1)
Think About It: Free Stuff	130	(10)
Formats and the Staff Announcer	138	(2)
Focus on Technique: How Not to Be an "Irritant"	140	(6)
Daypart	145	(1)
Techniques of Radio Staff Announcing	145	(5)
Tech Talk: Live Assist and Automation	146	(3)
Finding Personality and Perspective	147	(1)
Entertaining with Humor and Taste	148	(1)
Box 5.2: Commercial Delivery	149	(1)
Analyzing Yourself and Others	150	(2)
Airchecks	151	(1)
Summary	152	(2)
Exercises	153	(1)
6 News Announcing Basics	154	(36)
Broadcast News	155	(13)
Structures and Content	155	(1)
Requirements and Duties of the Journalist	156	(1)
News Style and Impact	157	(1)
Newswriting Basics	158	(1)
Box 6.1: Examples of News Delivery Styles	159	(6)
Presenting Material	164	(1)
Box 6.2: Pointers for Effective Presentation	165	(4)
Ethical Issues	166	(2)
Radio News	168	(6)
Gathering Radio News	168	(1)
Box 6.3: A Primer on Privacy and Libel	169	(6)
Radio Reporting Equipment	172	(2)
Radio News Operations	174	(10)
Focus on Technique: The Computer Moves into the Newsroom	175	(4)
Painting a Picture with Words	178	(1)
Box 6.4: Tips for Vivid Communication	179	(8)
Fitting News to Station Format	181	(1)
The All-News Format in Radio	181	(2)
Radio News Services	183	(1)
Summary	184	(6)
Exercises	185	(2)
Think About It: Do You Drop Your "Objectivity" When You're Sure You Are Right and There Is a Crisis?	187	(3)
7 Television News Announcing	190	(49)
Television News Basics	190	(7)
How TV News Is Gathered and Structured	191	(2)
How the TV Newscast Developed	193	(1)
The Typical Process	194	(3)
Television News Techniques and Operations	197	(26)
TV News Delivery	197	(1)
Focus on Technique: Overcoming the Editing Obstacle	198	(10)
Field Reporting in Television News	207	(1)
Box 7.1: The Ethics of Field Reporting	208	(9)
Robotics	216	(1)
Box 7.2: Some Tips on Using the Prompting Device	217	(9)
Ad-Libbing for News	219	(1)
Production Equipment	219	(2)
Integrating Technical Tasks	221	(2)
Recent Trends in TV News	223	(8)
Live Remote Coverage	224	(2)
Think About It: TV Suicide	226	(7)
Syndicated Feature Services	227	(3)
Newsroom Automation	230	(1)
Appearance	231	(5)
Clothing and Hair	232	(1)
Makeup	232	(1)
Box 7.3: Guidelines for Dressing Well on the Air	233	(2)
Skin, Teeth, and Eyes	234	(1)
Box 7.4: Style Your Hair to Enhance Your Appearance	235	(6)
Image	235	(1)
Summary	236	(3)
Exercises	237	(2)
8 The Craft of Interviewing	239	(24)
Types of Interviews	240	(2)
Actuality Interview	240	(1)
Studio Interview	240	(1)
Think About It: Bad Advice	241	(6)
How the Type of Interview Affects Style	242	(1)
Preparing for the Interview	242	(4)
Preparing Questions	242	(1)
Importance of Research	243	(1)
Research Material and Resources	244	(1)
Selecting a Guest and Topic	245	(1)
Doing the Interview	246	(13)
Box 8.1: Dealing with Telephone Call-Ins	247	(3)
Appropriateness of the Interview	247	(1)
Technical and Performance Considerations	248	(2)
Box 8.2: Suggestions for Holding Your Audience	250	(2)
Eliciting Responsive Answers	251	(1)
Box 8.3: Get a Complete Answer	252	(4)
Focus on Technique: Working in Talk Radio	256	(3)
Summary	259	(4)
Exercises	260	(1)
Connections: Logic	261	(2)
9 Television and Radio Specialties	263	(23)
Sports	264	(6)
Types of Sports Assignments	264	(1)
Personality in Sports	264	(1)
Issues in Sports Coverage	265	(1)
Sports Anchor Work	265	(1)
Sports Play-by-Play	265	(1)
Box 9.1: Tips for Sports Anchors and Reporters	266	(4)
Weather	270	(9)
Focus on Technique: Improving Play-by-Play and Color	271	(9)
The Weathercaster's Role	270	(4)
Computerized Weather Graphic Systems	274	(2)
A Typical Workday for a Weathercaster	276	(1)
Preparation for the Show	277	(2)
Weather Emergencies	279	(1)
Narration	279	(1)
Purpose of a Narration	279	(1)
Box 9.2: Effective Narration Techniques	280	(1)
Synchronizing Narration with Video or Slides	280	(1)
Hosting Special Programming	281	(3)
Master of Ceremonies	281	(1)
Think About It: Racial Stereotypes from a Different Era	282	(11)
Radio Talk Show Host	282	(1)
Movie Host	283	(1)
Children's Show Host	283	(1)
Game Show Host	283	(1)
Health and Medicine Reporting	283	(1)
Consumer Reporting	284	(1)
Summary	284	(2)
Exercises	285	(1)
10 Commercials and Acting	286	(24)
Basics of Commercial Announcing	286	(6)
Types of Commercials	287	(3)
Goals of a Commercial	290	(1)
Straight versus Acted Delivery	291	(1)
Acting	292	(7)
Assuming a Role	292	(1)
Box 10.1: Traits of a Character	293	(4)
A "Natural" Delivery	295	(2)
Box 10.2: Causes of Artificial Delivery	297	(4)
Techniques	298	(1)
Radio Commercials	299	(5)
Unique Aspects of Radio Commercials	300	(1)
Production Basics	300	(1)
Box 10.3: Ad-Libbing from a Fact Sheet: An Example	301	(12)
Delivery Techniques	302	(1)
Compressing Copy	303	(1)
Television Commercials	304	(2)
On-Camera Acting	304	(1)
Handling Props	305	(1)
Freelance Assignments	306	(1)
A Final Note	307	(1)
Summary	307	(3)
Exercises	308	(2)
11 Polishing Your Skills	310	(17)
Evaluation	310	(2)
What to Look for in Tapes	311	(1)
A Complete Self-Evaluation	312	(1)
Improvement	312	(5)
Box 11.1: Self-Evaluation Checklist	313	(3)
Box 11.2: A Checklist for Long-Term Plans	316	(2)
Accenting Your Strengths	316	(1)
A Word About Health and Fitness	317	(1)
Case Histories	317	(6)
Focus on Technique: Developing a Delivery Style: Practical Examples from Public versus Commercial Radio	318	(5)
Roadblocks	323	(2)
Summary	325	(2)
Exercises	325	(2)
12 Career Advancement	327	(22)
On-Air Opportunities for Broadcasters	327	(4)
On-Air Jobs	328	(2)
Moving into Management or Related Duties	330	(1)
Preparing for Your First Job	331	(4)
Academics	331	(1)
Practical Experience	332	(1)
Focus on Technique: The Most Valuable Attributes in a Broadcast Career	333	(2)
Job Hunting	335	(2)
Television	336	(1)
Radio	336	(1)
Self-Marketing Techniques	337	(7)
Résumés and Tapes	337	(3)
Box 12.1: An Audiotape or CD Collection for Job Hunting	340	(1)
Box 12.2: A Videotape Collection for Job Hunting	341	(3)
Job Leads and Sources of Leads	342	(1)
Developing Contacts	343	(1)
The Business End	344	(4)
Salaries	344	(2)
Contracts	346	(1)
Agents	347	(1)
Unions	347	(1)
The Impact of Ratings	347	(1)
Conclusion	348	(1)
Appendixes
A Drill Material: News, Sports, Weather, and Miscellaneous Wire Service Copy	349	(45)
Wire Service Copy	349	(1)
Wire Service News Feeds	350	(29)
Television News Script	379	(3)
Working Television News Script	382	(12)
B Drill Material: Scripts and Commercial Copy	394	(40)
Radio Commercial Copy and Station Promos	394	(22)
Television Commercials	416	(11)
Audiovisual Script	427	(7)
C Pronunciation by the Book	434	(9)
Glossary	443	(6)
Suggested Readings	449	(4)
Credits	453	(1)
Index	454