CHAPTER 13 RADIO In the preceding 12 chapters we covered the subjects that   comprise   roughly   two-thirds   of   the   journalist rating  —  print  journalism  and  photography.  Now  we will examine the electronic media, beginning with the radio medium. Although many of the techniques to be addressed also apply to television (Chapter 14), our emphasis in this  chapter  is  on  radio  and  the  unique  writing, announcing  and  technical  requirements  of  which  you must be aware. THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF RADIO LEARNING   OBJECTIVE:   Identify   the   basic elements of the radio medium. To use radio effectively as a Navy journalist, you must remember the following one essential fact and be constantly guided by it: radio is a medium of sound. While  people  might  hear  without  trying,  they generally  do  not  listen  without  being  stimulated. Consequently, your job will be to stimulate them — to trigger their imagination so they can picture the event being   described,   a   necessity   for   an   attentive   radio audience. To do this, you must use one or a combination of the following three basic elements: l  Voice l  Sound l  Music VOICE The   most   important   element   of   radio   is   voice, because it is generally the one used specifically to reach the listener with the desired information. SOUND When used on radio, sound must be distinguished easily so the listener is able to interpret the sound and understand  what  is  being  conveyed.  The  roar  of  a  jet engine  and  the  muffled  sounds  of  other  flight  deck activity will help the listener to visualize the scene. MUSIC Music has a great suggestive power because it plays on  human  emotion  and  colors  scenes.  It  touches  the heart and mind and sets a desired mood. When properly used, these elements should accomplish the following three distinct purposes: l l l Attracting immediate interest Maintaining  that  interest  through  a  particular presentation Satisfying the audience’s attention and curiosity RADIO WRITING TECHNIQUES LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recognize the basic radio writing techniques. Radio  writing  techniques  are  designed  to  capture and  hold  the  audience’s  attention  until  you  have delivered  your  message.  These  six  techniques  are  as follows: l l l l l l Aural sense appeal Rapid getaway Power of suggestion Pacing and timing Freedom of movement Conflict AURAL SENSE APPEAL Radio  depends  entirely  on  the  ear;  it  must  work completely on the listener’s mental image inspired by sound waves coming from the radio speaker. RAPID GETAWAY Radio  material  must  capture  the  attention  of  the audience within the first few moments of presentation or  listeners  will  be  lost.  The  material  must  present  a challenge, a promise, a suggestion or a conflict to arouse the  listener’s  attention. 13-1