Reading Reflection: Chapter 12

In TV journalism, we always say that 70 percent of your performance comes in your voice.  People often don't sit around and give their full attention to the news.  Normally, they're making dinner, shuffling kids out the door, or doing some other kind of activity while the news is on.  Often they will only hear snip-its of what is being said and will only pay attention if it sounds interesting or important.  The visual, including video and the on-air talent, comes second to the audio.  

Broadcast writing is written for the ear, which helps when preparing for an oral presentation.  You want to sound professional and knowledgeable, but not stiff and cold.  Writing your speech or presentation in the way you speak will make it a conversation between you and your audience, and those watching will automatically feel more comfortable. 

Journalists learn early on the importance of clarifying your purpose from the beginning.  When writing a full reporter package, you have to ask yourself, "What is my angle?"  Knowing what you want to convey to the audience right off the bat keeps your message from wondering or getting away from the actual purpose.  If you know where you're going, the audience probably will too.  You never want the audience to get to the end of the story and ask, "What was that even about?" The same applies in oral presentations.  People need to know up front what the purpose is and everything that is said from that point forward needs to relate and exemplify that point.