Performance Development

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Performance Development
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Introduction
The most sought after delivery style in
broadcasting is a conversational tonethe ability
to speak to many yet make it appear as if you are
speaking one-on-one.
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Developing a Broadcast Delivery Style
Find and stress key words in what you say or
read. When working with a script, read it out
loud as you practice. This allows you to find
words that carry meaning in the message and mark
them so you can emphasize those key words during
the performance.
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Youll normally stress words by using inflection,
duration, volume and pauses. Rising inflection
usually indicates uncertainty, doubt, hesitation
and is used to indicate a question. Pitch
usually goes down at the end of a sentence and
indicates finality or seriousness.
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Duration refers to varying the length of the key
words or phrases. In most instances, stretching
out words gives them more significance but you
can also speed up reading a phrase to add extra
punch to it. The most popular way to stress key
words is to increase the volume on those words or
phrases but do this sparingly as it can be hard
on the listener and come across as talking at the
listener and not to them.
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Pauses are necessary for breathing when reading a
script but can also be used to stress key words.
Putting a slight pause before and after a word or
phrase will pull it out from the script and give
it extra importance.
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Copy Marking
Using a system of graphic symbols to indicate how
you feel the script should be read. For example,
underline a word to remind yourself to give it
extra emphasis. The marks should assist you in
reading the copy, they should not be a
distraction. Copy Marking will help you become a
better performer.
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Word Usage

• Correct pronunciation and usage of words is
  absolutely necessary for the broadcast performer.
  There are categories of words you should be
  sensitive to
• Jargonwords used in a specific profession
• Slangstreet language or words used by a
  specific group
• Clichéoverused or worn out expression
• Redundant Expressionone that uses more words
  than necessary to convey an idea.

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Language Changes
Broadcast performers need to be aware that the
language they use changes on a regular basis.
New words are added to various dictionaries every
year. Announcers need to be sensitive to using
language that may offend or exclude individuals
or certain segments of the population. You also
need to be sensitive in how you refer to people
(including ethnic and age references).
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Avoiding Amateurish Announcing and Inept Delivery

• Beginning announcers often
• hesitate slightly before reading or saying a
  difficult word
• add needless vocalizations such as uh, ah,
  you know, and er.
• make mispronunciations and grammatical errors

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Many beginning announcers have an inept delivery
style because they have poor reading ability.
Often this problem is simply an inability to read
a script without stumbling, hesitating or just
misreading lines. Practice will help and being
aware of the problem will help the announce take
extra care when reading a script.
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Beginning announcers also often read or speak
with indistinct speech (they mumble or slur over
words and phrases). They often stumble on
tongue-twister phrases, use improper rate of
speech, misplace emphasis and deliver a dead
delivery. If your announcing approach includes
any of these problems, you need to work to
eliminate them now.
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An excellent way to work on your delivery is
simply to read everything aloud.