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00000179-e1ff-d2b2-a3fb-ffffd7620000This page is a resource for WNIJ student workers and participants in the "Public Radio 101" seminar to create news content in accordance with the policies and practices of Northern Public Radio and WNIJ News.The articles and information posted here may be shared with other students and reporters, giving proper acknowledgment and credit to the original sources.We encourage you to take advantage of the links below to enhance your journalistic endeavors.Valuable External Links:NPR Ethics Handbook INBA Code of EthicsHow Not To Write For Radio How To Pitch A StoryNPR Training: Hone Your Craft An Introduction to EditingSound In The Story High-Quality Sound With Your PhoneTips For Shaping Great StoriesA Top Audio Engineer Explains NPR’s Signature SoundBlogs That Offer Guidance Memmott's Missives and Musings Judith Smelser: Scribbles and Scruples

Your Best Voice

Susan Stephens
/
WNIJ

Did you know??? The most compelling sound to a human is another human’s voice. (No pressure)

Your Best Voice

Your best voice is natural.

Your best voice sounds like you.

Your best voice is calm and authoritative.

Your best voice matches the tone of your story.

Mental

You are telling a story, not announcing a story. Talk to one person, a person you know, like, and respect. Try to inform, not impress.

Before you open your mouth, think to yourself “Now I will tell you a story. Hey, Victor…” (or insert the name of the person you imagine you are talking to.)

You are speaking to someone who is six feet away. Closer = too intimate. Further = shouting, which distorts your tone.

Deliver thoughts, not words. Think about what you are saying and it will flow as an idea instead of random words.

Physical

Hydrate! Avoid milk and sugar before recording.

Review your script, mark it up. If you stumble, it might be the writing. Change it! Your eyes are reading eight words ahead of your mouth: draw a long dark line at the end of your thought, which stops your eye and makes you look up.

Stand up straight. Lengthen and breathe from the diaphragm, not your chest.

Take your headphones off (unless you are on live).

Mic is fist-distance away from your mouth and angled slightly.

You are reading too quickly. A good read might feel painfully slow.

Enunciate! But don’t overdo it.

Wave your hands and make faces!

Many of these tips were learned from David Candow, who was known around NPR as "The Host Whisperer." 

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.