Module Outline Introduction Skills and Responsibilities for Radio What to Say: Finding the Angle What to Say: Writing for Listeners What to Say: Tips for Scripting What to Say: What Not to Say Review: Writing for Radio How to Say it: Talking to One Listener How to Say it: Body and Voice How to Say it: Presentation Tips Review: Presentation on the Radio Radio Interviews: Types of Interviews Preparing to do an Interview Tips for Interviews Conducting an Interview Review: Interviewing Summary Additional Resources Evaluation Course Outline

Module 2: Skills for Radio Journalists

How to Say It: Body and Voice

In addition to imagining one listener when talking, three other factors are key to effective radio presentation:

• Tension and stress
• Body positioning and gesturing
• Voice and speech

Tension and Stress

If a radio presenter is stressed, listeners will hear it in her voice, they won't focus on what she is actually saying. Tension ties the body's muscles in knots and can cause the voice to sound thin, strained, irritated or bored.

My Back is Long and Wide Spinal Release

Before going on the air it is important to release the tension that stress, anxiety or other emotions can cause. Relaxation exercises, such as the ones listed to the right, can relieve stress by releasing tension from the body and calming emotions. Releasing tension opens the diaphragm, which promotes deeper breathing. This, in turn, helps the voice to sound more open and confident.

During times of political turmoil or conflict, it is even more important for radio presenters and reporters to manage their personal tension.

Feeling anxious, angry, sad or depressed can make it difficult to sound sane, comforting or calm. But that is what radio presenters need to do for the sake of their listeners. Here's an example of how this all comes together in a tense reporting situation. Read how to keep your cool.

Posture, Gesturing and Facial Expressions

Posture

Tension, as noted above, can cause the body to tie itself up in knots. Good body positioning, or posture, promotes confidence and allows for both a physical and psychological opening-up. Keep these tips in mind:

• Sit in a position that allows easy breathing and body movement.
• Never sit in a hunched or doubled-over position. Bad posture makes breathing more difficult and leads to a voice that sounds tense and uncomfortable.
• Good posture also involves
  • Allowing the back to open and lengthen
  • Allowing the neck and shoulders to be free
  • Sensing the support of the floor or chair

Gesturing

Gesturing is a natural part of conversation. A presenter who gestures naturally as she talks will communicate more clearly. Listeners will notice the difference even if they can't see the gestures.

Facial Expression

Facial expressions are critical to the sound of a voice. If this seems hard to believe, imagine talking to someone on a telephone. Often, a person's voice indicates whether she is frowning or smiling. Listen to the radio and decide by tone if the announcer is smiling or has a serious expression.

On radio a smile is the equivalent of making eye contact. A smile, even if no one sees it, makes a person sound more inviting, confident and fresh.

Of course, a smile is not always appropriate. For example, news reports on serious subjects are seldom delivered with a smile, unless a lighter story is included at the end.

Also, think about the fact that there are many different kinds of smiles. In addition to smiles of happiness, there are smiles that indicate understanding, sympathy or comfort. Think about how and when a smile during the following programs might be used.

• Talk shows
• Shows that give advice or support to the community
• Human interest stories or interviews
• Music request shows

Practice what it feels like to read a script while smiling. Then read a news script with a more serious expression. Listen for the difference. Try listening to the radio to "hear" the expression on the presenter's face.

Voice

The best voice for radio is natural and relaxed. The more comfortable you are with yourself and your voice, the clearer your voice will be. Voice exercises can help build confidence and promote speaking clearly.

Listen to someone who mumbles or someone who lowers the volume of her voice at the end of her sentences and notice how hard it is to understand what she is saying. Since listeners can't interrupt the radio to ask what was said, radio presenters must take extra care to be clear. Here are some tips:

• Before you go on air, do some exercises (included in the link above) to free up your jaw and tongue.
• If you are planning to read from a script, practice aloud until you feel confident. Pay special attention to difficult words and foreign names.
• Practice your pace and rhythm. Are you speaking too fast or too slow? Remember to pause and breathe naturally. Ask someone to give you feedback.