1. Morning Announcements: Tips and Procedures (Good for all on air talent work)

2. Get to the Studio on Time! Be in the studio by 7:30. This will allow you time to preview the script, become familiar with the announcements you will read and have time to practice saying names.

3. Read the script out loud Doing so will allow you to catch misprints, awkward phrases and prepare you for any names you may have to pronounce. If you read the script for the first time while on air, the audience can tell…it will look like you have trouble reading.

4. Script Reading Read the script correctly: ◦ A coma (,) indicates a pause ◦ A period (.) means you should stop for a moment. ◦ A question mark (?) requires you to raise your voice at the end of a sentence. ◦ An exclamation point (!) needs excitement. ◦ Punctuation is our friend, without it, readers become monotone and boring.

5. Dress Dress appropriately. Avoid wearing black or white (blends with background) Darker skin looks better with brighter colors Avoid graphic T-shirts…distracting.

6. Eye Contact Make sure you look at the correct camera: Opening welcome, quote of day, moment of silence and pledge: center camera Starting with sports: ◦ #1-looks at camera on far left ◦ #2-looks at camera on far right

7. Eye Contact Cont. Last announcement (closing): everyone looks at center camera. Look at camera like you are looking at someone’s face. Chin up, direct eye contact.

8. Poise (body) Do not twist in chair. Do not hunch over news desk. Do not lean back, slouch to side. Sit straight up.

9. Gestures Use your hands to emphasize an interesting announcement. Do not put hands on your laps Place hands on desk, but don’t hold them tight, statue looking. You don’t have to look like you are praying.

10. Volume and Tone You must increase your volume, louder than you would talk to a friend in class or at lunch. Doing this will also slow down your pace and allow the microphone time to pick up each sound and syllable ◦ If not, it sounds slurred, mumbled

11. Volume and Tone Cont. Slow down your pace. Do not read too fast, will not be able to pick up on all that you are saying. Change tone with each announcement, even if you have to fake excitement. Monotone=boring!

12. Personality You have one, use it (appropriately). Using your personality to transform announcements will enable you to be on more, as teachers and students will make requests for you to be on.