e, i, o, u) sound so long that it slurs into the next sound.
For example, “I’m” becomes “Ahhh’m.”
To correct this, clip the sound and make it shorter.
Run through the following examples, carefully
articulating each sound.
Examples: just (not jist)
get (not git)
for (not “fer”: replace the word on
your copy with the word four or the
number 4)
to (not ta: replace the word on your
copy with the word “two”)
style (not “stahl”: I’m going to get
just two styles of paper instead of
getting the four styles you asked
for.)
THE “S” SOUND.— The “S” sound is the most
difficult sound to correct. The general rule is: do not
mess with an “S.” Take the microphone and place it out
of the “S” air zone, so when you talk you are talking
across the microphone instead of directly into it.
Rate and Transitions
Changes in the tempo (rate/speed) and the use of
pauses (transitions) while speaking are essential to
understanding. Normal speech rate varies from 80 to
175 words per minute.
A steady rate of speed will produce monotony. In
general, changes of rate help reflect the weight of the
issue. Important information is slowed; less important
topics may be increased in speed.
As stated earlier, the oral punctuation mark gives
the announcer an opportunity to pause. The pause makes
the division of thoughts and the segmenting of those
thoughts possible. Without the vocal pause, the meaning
of the topic would be haphazard and hard, if not
impossible, to follow. The oral pause also gives the
announcer time to restore his breath supply naturally.
Authority
Announcers, and in particular news people, require
authority in their voices. It is that special something that
tells the listener, “What I have to say is important.”
Newscasters either have it (authority) or they do not —
there is no substitute. In some cases, because of a
naturally higher pitch, women newscasters may suffer
from authority problems more than men, but it is not a
problem unique to women.
The following techniques may help if you are
lacking authority in your voice:
l
l
l
Take charge. You must have a thorough
understanding of your copy. It is up to the
newscaster to tell his audience what it needs to
know. You must adopt an attitude of, “This is
important — listen to me!”
Add volume. Intensifying your vocal tone to
establish a sense of authority may be effective.
Try this by standing about 10 feet from a wall.
Deliver your copy loud enough so that your voice
hits the wall and is reflected back. You do not
have to yell, but you should be loud enough to be
heard clearly 10 feet away. This is called vocal
projection.
Monitor your volume. Have another person
stand across the room from you as you read the
copy. Every time your volume drops, have that
person tell you to speak louder.
Stumbling
All newscasters occasionally stumble over a word,
and they should not worry about it as long as it is only
occasional. When you experience a lot of stumbles, the
cause is usually the brain getting ahead of the mouth.
Here are a few solutions:
Concentrate on what you are reading. Your
mind should be on your copy and nothing else.
Avoid distractions.
Use the index card technique. If you area speed
reader or read unusually fast, place a 5- by 7-inch
index card on the line you are reading. As you
come to the end of that line, move the card to the
next line. This technique will slow you down
enough so you do not overread and it will help
you focus your attention on the line you are
reading.
Use parentheses to mark any phrases that give
you trouble. Do not mark individual words —
only mark the phrase.
Preread your copy at least twice for
familiarization. If your copy surprises you
while you are reading it on the air, you are not
ready to read You should be able to tell, in rough
form, what the stories are about without looking
at the copy.
Avoid back tracking to correct a stumble. Keep
going and do not call attention to the mistake.
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