improve delivery

Improving Your Delivery

Presenter

Michael Marcotte, PRNDI NewsWorks


Goals of this Session:

1. Listen & Analyze Your Delivery

2. Address Weaknesses

3. Practice Good Habits

4. Develop Your Style


Listen for the Components of Your Delivery

• Your Physical Voice -- your core speaking apparatus – your sound foundation

• Your Vocal Control – your performance tools – where most improvements are

• Your Methods, Message & Environment – the many other things that affect delivery


Your Physical Voice:

• Diaphragm/lung capacity – your source of air, volume, rhythm• Larynx/vocal cords – your source of vibration, pitch• Pharynx/nasal cavity – your source of resonance, control, shaping, tempo• Tongue/teeth/musculature – your source of enunciation


Your Vocal Control:

• Pitch – high and low tones• Tempo – slow and fast speed• Volume – soft and loud intensity• Rhythm – stops and starts• Enunciation – articulation


Pitch – Variations convey meaning:Level 4 – special emphasis high endLevel 3 – primary stress up slightly from optimumLevel 2 – home base optimum pitchLevel 1 – finality low end

•Use Level 2 for most of your pitch. Find level 2 at about 1/3 up your total range. (Total range is between lowest note and highest note you can sing. Habitual pitch is usually higher, near middle.) •Use Level 3 for key words or ideas. •Use Level 1 at end of sentences or ideas. •Use Level 4 rarely, for special emphasis, or in sports.


Tempo – your reading rate. Most people read between 140 to 180 words per minute. Speed up to add energy (by contracting vowel sounds). Slow down to emphasize (by expanding vowel sounds). A slow rate can be tedious if listeners are familiar with your content. Changing tempo creates unpredictability.


Volume – your amplitude.

Use normal speaking levels in a studio.

Never be too loud or too low for comfort.

Maintain fairly consistent volume, using variations for emphasis and variety.

More volume requires more breath.


Rhythm – the use of pauses between words, phrases and sentences.

Vary according to ideas conveyed.

Staccato can add emphasis, but don’t overuse.

Use longer pauses before or after a word or phrase to add dramatic effect.


Enunciation – the clear, natural articulation of vowels, consonants and their combinations.

Don’t over enunciate but don’t use lazy speech either.


Your Methods, Message and Environment• Pronunciation/Dialect

• Script/Writing

• Concentration/Interpretation

• Eyesight/Hearing

• Confidence/Practice

• Mic Placement/Acoustics/Settings

• Health/Stress


Analyze Your Delivery

Listen to recordings of yourself• Listen as a stranger• Be kind• Note strengths• Note weaknesses• Practice one improvement at a time


ExerciseListen to Examples

Identify Traits***

Listen to Each OtherOffer One Suggestion


Actual Delivery Samples:


Rate Your Impressions (1-low, 5-high) Overall Likeability 1 2 3 4 5 Any Distractions (weaknesses)? Describe: Physical Traits 1 2 3 4 5 Vocal Control 1 2 3 4 5 Method/Other 1 2 3 4 5


Sample Copy:

The Gateway Company has announced plans to close its main operations in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The computer maker blames slow overseas sales… and an overall decline in the personal computer market.The move effectively pulls Gateway out of Europe. Some reports indicate Asia may be next.


Rate Your Impressions (1-low, 5-high) Overall Likeability 1 2 3 4 5 Any Distractions (weaknesses)? Describe: Physical Traits 1 2 3 4 5 Vocal Control 1 2 3 4 5 Method/Other 1 2 3 4 5


Practice Good HabitsThe Goal: Clarity + Humanity = Trusted Delivery• Clarity conveys information

Makes the intellectual connection

Shows preparedness, believability

• Humanity conveys feeling

Makes the emotional connection

Provides the basis for sincerity, authenticity


Practice Good HabitsManage Your Physical Voice• Exercise the diaphragm. Use diaphragmatic breathing.• Use good posture. Stand up if possible.• Warm up the larynx, pharynx, jaw and tongue

Tongue-twisters Therapeutic copy (designed to address weaknesses) Exaggerate pitch, rhythm, tempo, enunciation


Practice Good HabitsManage Your Vocal Control• Relax!

Pre-broadcast stretch, exerciseDeep cleansing breath (during countdown)

• Remove the headphones (if free to do so)• “Inhabit Your Copy”

know what it says, what it meanspicture it, feel ituse hand and facial gestures


Practice Good HabitsManage Your Methods, Message, Environment• Work your Script

Write it the way you say itPre-read all copy out loudTongue trips occur between the eye and mouth – fix the offending sourceOne idea per sentenceMark copy as needed – such as key words, optional end points, etc


Practice Good HabitsManage Your Methods, Message, Environment

• Pronounce words properlyPre-read to avoid surprisesUse clear pronouncers, liberallyLook up, check any questionable terms, names

• Avoid Regional or Ethnic DialectsStrive to use General American dialect No dialect is inferior to another but local or ethnic dialects may prove distracting to some in large or distant audiences



• Be natural. Be conversational.Speak to one listener – a likeable acquaintanceUse a volume consistent with a 3-5 foot distance to the listenerRelax but assert controlBe empathic but not emotionalBe focused but not intense



• Be Alert. Be present. Concentrate.Get good rest, diet, exerciseIgnore distractions, keep focus on the listenerShun last minute-itis

• Know your microphone & settingsStay on microphone “beam”Aim breath past microphone diaphragm/elementSet levels in advance



• Aircheck Frequently. Practice for Improvement.

Have supervisor provide feedbackFocus on improving one aspect at a timeIt is okay to develop an on-air style that may be different than your day to day voice – provided it serves you and your listener.


Develop Your Style

Turn a weakness into a strength. David Brinkley’s halting delivery was his trademark.

The more you “perform” the more you risk losing authenticity. Base your style on what comes naturally.


Develop Your Style

Style can be associated with the content. Are you more “Reflective?” “Hard boiled?” “Nutty?” “Motherly?”

Newscasters succeed when their delivery is not even noticed. However they may still have a style – it just happens not to call attention to itself.


Presenter

Michael Marcotte, PRNDI NewsWorks

improve delivery

Business

delivery volume

delivery tempo

delivery rhythm

delivery enunciation

delivery rate

delivery exercise

delivery goals

delivery pitch variations