Oral Briefing and Informative Speech Techniques for Television News
3. Oral Briefing Techniques
Developing an effective oral briefing for television news requires clarity, conciseness, and an understanding of the viewing environment. Consider these speaking style guidelines:
- Simplicity: Use common vocabulary and construct sentences that are easy to understand.
- Clarity: Ensure the meanings of words and phrases are unambiguous.
- Conciseness: Convey the necessary information in a short timeframe.
Vary sentence length, combining short and more extensive sentences for better flow.
Entradilla (Introduction)
The introduction serves as a hook to capture the viewer’s attention. It should:
- Set the scene and introduce the news situation.
- Provide a concise summary of salient data without revealing the entire story.
- Use compelling headlines, phrases, or initial images to pique interest.
Avoid negative or interrogative phrases in the introduction. Instead, opt for informative and engaging language.
Development
Structure the development of the briefing logically. Consider these approaches:
- Inverted Pyramid: Present the most important information first, followed by supporting details in descending order of importance.
- Chronological: Present information in the order in which events occurred.
- Topical: Organize information by related themes or subjects.
- Contrast: Highlight differences or opposing viewpoints.
Ensure the oral expression is clear, precise, and easily understandable, as the viewer only has one opportunity to hear the information. Maintain audience engagement by emphasizing key aspects and varying the pace.
Practical Guidance for Oral Expression:
- Visual Synergy: Align oral expression with the visual structure of the information being presented.
- Avoid Redundancy: Refrain from stating information already evident in the visuals.
- Reinforce Key Information: Use on-screen text to reinforce names, dates, and other crucial data.
- Provide Context: Set the scene and provide background information not readily apparent in the visuals.
- Concise Enumerations: Keep lists brief and focused, considering the audience’s limited attention span.
- Supplement Visuals: Offer additional information not present in the images.
- Match Pace and Rhythm: Synchronize speaking pace with the visual rhythm, incorporating pauses for emphasis and information assimilation.
- Utilize Silence: Don’t be afraid of pauses; they allow viewers to process information.
- Address Unanswered Questions: Use oral expression to address any journalistic questions not answered by the visuals.
4. Informative Speech
The informative speech is a crucial element of television news, providing context and explanation. Strive for natural, intelligible speech delivery, tailored to each presenter’s style.
- Voice Balance: Ensure a balance of voices, avoiding clashes between high and low pitches or excessively strong regional accents.
- Conversational Tone: Speak naturally and avoid a monotone or overly formal delivery. Explain the information as if in conversation.
- Intonation and Emphasis: Use intonation to highlight key words, phrases, and ideas.
- Rhythm and Synchronization: Align the rhythm of speech with the organization of the news, images, and on-screen text.
Presenting Information Without Images
Even without images, information can be effectively conveyed on television. Consider these methods:
- Utilize Existing Footage: If available, use footage of similar events or related visuals.
- Create Visual Representations: When direct footage is unavailable, explore alternative visual representations such as graphics, animations, or symbolic imagery.
The absence of images should not preclude a news story. Utilize creative visual and audio resources to engage the viewer.
Visualization Techniques:
- Sound Design: Use sound effects, music, and ambient noise to create atmosphere and convey information.
- Graphics and Text: Employ on-screen text, graphics, and data visualizations to present information clearly and concisely.
- Animation: Use animation to illustrate concepts, processes, or events.
Storytelling Without Visuals:
- Compelling Narrative: Craft a strong narrative that captures the audience’s attention and clearly conveys the information.
- Specific Details: Use specific details and examples to bring the story to life.
- Time Management: Be mindful of time constraints and present information concisely.
Remember, even without images, a well-crafted script and effective use of audio-visual resources can create a compelling and informative news segment.