Some people worry so much when they make a mistake   that   they   make   additional   mistakes. Once  a  mistake  is  made,  FORGET   IT. Concentrate on what is coming, not what is gone. Your audience does not expect perfection. (One exception to this rule is if the stumble changes a fact in a story. If this happens, take a second or two to regroup, then correct the error. You also can  correct  the  error  after  a  spot  break,  if  time allows.) Have   your   eyes   checked   by   a   doctor. Unfortunately,  eyesight  deteriorates  with  age  and even  the  best  announcers  cannot  read  words  they cannot see. Speedy Delivery Speaking   too   fast   is   a   common   problem   for beginning   announcers.   As   the   announcer,   you   can correct  this  problem  by  understanding  that  not  everyone is able to think as fast as you can talk. If the listener cannot  understand  you  because  you  are  speaking  too fast, then you are wasting the listener’s and your own time. The following are a few simple tricks that will help you slow your delivery: Write  the  words  SLOW  DOWN   all  over  the margins of your copy in a bright-colored ink. This will remind you throughout the newscast to keep your speed under control. Use  the  three-step  reading  system.  Read  the copy through once, as fast as possible. Then read it  as  slowly  as  possible,  over-articulating  and reading one word at a time. Finally, read the copy somewhere  between  the  two  previous  speeds. During  the  third  reading,  make  sure  you  are  in the presence of someone who can tell you to slow down when you start to pickup speed. Follow  the  “five-minute  rule.”  The  average  rate of delivery is 15 lines per minute. The actual rate should  be  somewhere  between  14-16  lines  per minute. Limit yourself to 60 lines of copy for a five-minute  newscast.  Make  sure  you  finish  at exactly  the  five-minute  mark.  The  only  way  to reach the time mark and not have dead air is to slow down. Use the eraser technique.  Place  a  medium-sized art eraser between your front teeth. Try to read the copy while holding the eraser firmly in place by biting down. You must articulate and be able to  be  understood  while  you  are  reading.  It  is almost  impossible  to  talk  fast  and  still  be understood while you are holding the eraser. Mark  your  copy  for  breathing  points.  Breathe wherever you see a mark ANNOUNCER  RESPONSIBILITIES As you can tell, radio amounting is hard work. The listening audience may associate the word  glamorous with the broadcast industry, but the fact is — radio (like television)  is  an  exacting  business  and  announcing emphasizes professionalism. For every announcer who has made it to the “big time”  and  who  has  become  a  celebrity  in  the  civilian world, there are 100 good announcers who, in addition to their on-airtime, perform many other station duties. There are announcers in a lot of small stations who work the   audio   consoles,   write   last-minute   commercials, rewrite news copy, check equipment and do anything else required of them to make the station work well. This is  exactly  what  will  be  asked  of  you  as  a  Navy broadcaster — you must be a generalist. Furthermore,  during  your  on-air  experiences,  you will realize that an isolated slip or flubbed line is almost inevitable. This is true even for the veteran announcer. However,  if  you  make  (too  many  errors,  you  will  be looking for anew job. The key to success is experience, and   a   good   announcer   drills   diligently   in   the never-ending quest for perfection. Required Qualities The  qualities  usually  considered  necessary  in  a professional radio announcer are a good voice, little or no   regional   accent,   clear   diction   and   accurate pronunciation.   Quite   often,   your   voice   affects   the audience’s  opinions  about  programs. A resonant voice, the best diction, and even the best pronunciation   will   not   help   the   announcer   who mechanically reads lines and fails to project a feeling of sincerity.  In  effect,  the  announcer  must  have  a  good radio personality and make his voice reflect such. Adaptability Your personality is reflected in your voice. If you are  not  genuine,  the  listener  will  take  note  quickly. Changes throughout the program day make it essential that an announcer be capable of changing his delivery to fit the content and mood of the particular program. No matter the type of program or its theme, most listeners enjoy hearing a voice that offers friendliness, naturalness, sincerity, integrity and vitality. Announcers, of course, usually seek to work in an area where they 13-20