Presentation Roles and Techniques

News presenters

News presenters probably have one of the most challenging jobs in the media industry. The work of a news presenter is to report the news for that day. In this particular news report Cathy Newman is presenting on the Channel 4 news, talking about Britain's oldest working theatre. The context in which this is in is a news room where they report on news stories. 

To begin, I will discuss her visual techniques in how she comes across to the audience. This is shown through a number of ways, for example her dress and appearance is quite formal where she is wearing a decent looking dress and her hair looks rightly done and appropriate. This is important for the target audience because it allows them to take what she is saying quite seriously and not be swayed away or distracted by what she is wearing. Also, it is relevant to the context that this news reporter is in because it allows again for the audience to take her seriously in what she is saying. However, this is not to say that the dress is completely appropriate, because some may argue that it is showing too much of her skin which is not the best way of showing formality on a news programme. 
Secondly, I would say that her movement is quite quirky and makes her seem nervous, this is seen throughout as she twists often and moves the papers from hand to hand. This type of movement is ok to some extent but if done too much it might become noticeable to the audience and so the impression would be that she is nervous and not good at the job. Some verbal techniques which I have noticed are her consistency and sentence structure. Right from the beginning at 0:02 we hear her introducing the topic and she is stopping with every word and sounding slightly out of pace. This is making her sound somewhat confused or unsure of what she is  saying it also makes it hard to understand what she is trying to get across right away, therefore the audience are made to feel slightly disoriented. Also, her sentence structure is discouraged because of the inconsistency in her words, this means that because she is being inconsistent from time to time she isn't saying the sentence in a flowing way which makes it easier to understand. 

Continuity announcer 

A continuity announcer's job is to introduce the next programme and this lasts up to 5 seconds during the break/advert time. This is done to allow people to know what programmes are coming up and to aid blind people with hearing what is coming on next. The visual techniques do not apply to this role because the audience can not see the announcer but just hear them. 

Therefore, I will discuss the verbal techniques used in this indent which is from the BBC channel announcing the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. The announcer should stick to the BBC's ethos of keeping and maintaining their level of respect to the audience and not being impartial.  

The presenter delivers the announcement with a hypened timbre which is a slightly high pitched voice with a bit of volume. This allows the target audience to feel an excitement about the show coming up next, which is why they have to be said in this particular way. If the announcer said it in a mellow, normal voice then I think the audience are going to become uninterested in what they're saying. The presenters use of language is quite engaging to the audience as well because he uses quite exciting words that make the audience feel a sense of excitement about whats to come, this is effective for an audience because they are instantly being indicated to that the next show/programme will be something engaging for them to watch.  It is also their job to let the audience know all of their platforms and this is done in this example where he mentions the BBC's website and this is therefore informative to the audience. Also, the fact that this is a fun family show coming on the announcer would have had to sound joyful as he did to almost invite the audience and make them feel a sense of excitement that this is coming on. 

Broadcast journalist

Broadcast journalists like Nick Robinson are part of the everyday BBC news. A journalist like nick Robinson has to appear knowledgeable about the issue and have a deep understanding of it, they have to speak in a similar way to a news presenter, and the difference is they are presenting a lot more information than a news presenter. A broadcast journalist will have to had researched all their information before their broadcast, they have to talk in a very serious manner especially if you’re a political journalist, their expressions will always be quite stern or serious, they are normally answering a question from the news presenter this creates a debate style presentation, the way these journalists dress is also quite important as it can subtly make them more trust worth and informative. One verbal technique used here by Nick Robinson, would be his use of quotation where he briefly mentions what Mr Farage has said a few years ago this is seen at the point 0:38, the audience will benefit from this use of quotation because it adds more valid information to the report and therefore they'll be able to understand it better. Also, another verbal technique used is the breadth of vocabulary this is used throughout and shows that Mr Robinson is well knowledgeable on this topic and of politics in general and this assures the audience that he knows what he's talking about. One visual technique I have noticed is the facial expressions, we see that Nick Robinson is giving stern, serious and  concerned expressions this helps to emphasis the importance of the issue being discussed and helps the audience to realize this. Another visual technique is his dress and appearance, where he is clearly wearing appropriate clothing for the report , a shirt and tie with a jacket as he is outside. This allows us to again understand that this is a formal and professional setting , the people involved with the topic are professionals in their field (Nigel Farage).   

Magazine Programme Presenters

Magazine program presenters are not expected to have a deep understanding of what they are presenting but they are expected to be knowledgeable across a range of subjects, they need to be able to appear in control and link different bits of information together. One example of this is the magazine show Top Gear, with the main presenter - Jeremy Clarkson. He is very relaxed and laid back which makes the audience like him, he doesn't show any sign of being an formal presenter as he uses some informal words regularly. His knowledge and interviewing skills are what make him a  suitable presenter for this type of show, and makes the person being interview feel comfortable to talk about a topic like cars.  As he is part of a 3 person presentation group with James May and Richard Hammond, they are always joking together, and use a very laid back presentation style.One visual technique that is always noticeable is their dress and appearance, the clothes we see them constantly wearing are shirts/t-shirts and trousers. This reflects their laid back style of presenting and goes with it very well. I think that if they were wearing suits and ties and spoke informally it will be a bit confusing and perhaps unsuitable for the audiences preferences. The next visual technique is their facial expressions this is shown where they're driving the vehicles in a high speed and they're gritting their teeth and squinting their eyes all of theses expressions help to mold the fact that they're going to extreme levels for the entertainment of their audience and also that they're enjoying what they love best or their hobby.  One verbal technique used is their use of language I have realized that they often swear quite frequently one example is at the point 0:46 this is perhaps not suitable for the younger audience watching, it also gives them a bad image and makes the producers look bad, as it is negative language, it makes people ask how laid back can presenters get? Another verbal technique used is the timbre which is the tone/volume and pitch in their voices this can vary depending on the situation they're in but we hear them often shouting or speaking with a high volumed voice this shows that their excitement but can also show their urgency to deliver to the audience this is displayed at the point 2:46. 

Game Show Host


Game shows are the type of program people like to watch when they get back from work, quick easy watching that they can interact with. For example the game show Catchphrase presented by Steven Mulhern, is always very relaxed with the contestants who have never been on a TV show before this makes them more relaxed as well as the audience. The witty thinking is very good as it keeps the show moving,I think he is able to think very quickly which helps with the general mood between the audience and contestants and viewers very light. 

Steven uses a lot of verbal techniques to engage the audience with what he is talking about, if he didn’t he would just be talking seemingly without any interest in the topic, it would be more of a ramble with no order to it. As soon as he starts having a structure to his presentation it becomes a lot easier to follow, the vocabulary he uses to his advantage to describe things with grander words which is when he uses paraphrasing which is when he describes something using different words to that all mean the same thing for example ''a picture is worth a thousand words'' he also puts things into context for the audience. He uses illustrative language to describe what he’s talking about this makes it easy for the audience to imagine what he is describing. The tone and pace of his voice makes him seem like he is amazed by it, he uses a lot of pauses to just stare and think, he is trying to make the audience feel the same way he does, using all these techniques help him make the show more appropriate to the target audience.

Presenters Physical gestures towards another host, contestant and someone being interviewed are very important for example on the Jonathon Ross show if the host ignored an attempt at a hand shake from the person he is about to interview, the lack of a physical gesture there immediately tells us that person that is not welcome.
Visual techniques I have noticed are his dress and appearance where he is wearing a suit, this is I think not that appropriate to this context because it is a relaxed show unlike the news, people ought to watch it to enjoy and have a laugh about it, not be serious. Therefore I would say that for game shows the presenter shouldn't be dressed in a suit and tie but rather a shirt and trousers. 

Lifestyle programme presenter

Lifestyle programmes are ones which deal mainly with peoples lifestyles, they're mainly aimed at 15-40 year olds all races and ethnicities and both genders , also a ratio-economic of D-B's.  This could be from looking at the food we eat to the place we live in. For example, if you're having problems with your diet and need someones help a show like 'My Big Fat Diet' is good for giving people advice on how to go on a healthy diet. The presenter Anna Richardson is taking the audience through how to get on a good diet. One verbal technique she uses to make the audience stay engaged with what she is saying is the appropriateness to the audience, this is done well because she discusses many things surrounding  what a good diet is and what is consists of.  Furthermore, another  verbal technique she uses is her pace of delivery this is done in an engaging way to the audience where she pauses between some words and makes gaps within her sentences to make what she is saying sound more interesting to her audience. Another verbal technique used is the breadth of vocabulary this is evident at the point 0:29 where she provides some facts about what she is talking about, I think this adds more breadth to the message she is trying to get across as it is something which the audience can think about and question. One visual technique used is her physical gestures and hand movements where when she talks about losing weight for example she puts her hands around her waist, this is important when addressing any issue or topic because it helps visualize everything for your audience making what you're saying easier to understand. 

Documentary presenter 

Documentary presenters are quite different some are real some are fake, for example, Louis Theroux his documentary’s seem very real especially the way he presents them, he is never afraid to ask potentially offensive or uncomfortable questions, the way he talks about the subjects he presents is always very casual this is to keep the viewer comfortable as he does cover a few uncomfortable topics. These are mainly aimed at a niche target audience or people around the ages of 15-49 all races/ethnicities and both genders a socio economic class of D-B's.

One of the best documentary presenters would be Bear Grylls, his presentation style is very unique in terms of wildlife documentary’s, he always gets right up close to the animal he is filming, this makes it a lot more interesting for the viewer, also the fact that many people have grown up with him presenting wildlife shows, this makes his voice very familiar and easy to listen to, the way he talks is very audience engaging especially when presented with amazing imagery from the camera team.

I this episode Bear is accompanied with President Obama and are in Alaska, his visual techniques are quite obvious to point out where he is wearing geared up costume for the occasion, with a backpack and a raincoat with trousers and a shirt. This is appropriate so allows the audience to enjoy the adventure because he is looking fit to go. Another visual feature is his physical gestures, whilst he is talking to the president and describing things we see him pointing and moving about his hands in a descriptive effort to show us that he trying to get information across.  This again shows that it is appropriate but also shows that he knows what he is saying, it also gives him life and makes the audience more interested in listening to him. If he was standing with his hands to his side all the time the audience will get quite bored. 
One verbal technique he used was illustrative language this is seen all throughout the documentary where everything he says is backed up with facts or useful information, this allows the audience to gain more in terms of knowledge on the topic and of wildlife and shows that he as a presenter is trustworthy because his is knowledgeable of his specialty. 

DJ

In the world of mainstream radio like radio 1 having the right presenter can make your ratings go up or down as they are the voice of that show for however long there on for, radio 1 presenters are normally in their twenty’s as they have to appeal to their target audience which is 12 – 20 year olds, all ethnicities and both genders and a socio economic class of C-Bs, they can do this by speaking and using popular vocabulary that will appeal to their audience, the presenter will be very chatty in the way they present the show for example Nick Grimshaw who is like that is very popular at the moment. Presenters don’t need to know the music that they are playing just be able to connect with their target audience, although it would be better if they did. Here Nick is interviewing the pop star Justin Bieber, and is talking about Justins latest hits and what he's been getting up to, this is appealing to the audience because Justin is a younger artist and everybody knows him and his music in this day and age. One visual technique is Nick's body language, we see that he is slouching slightly on the chair and not really sitting up straight, this is good because it always for the atmosphere to be relaxed and enjoyable and strain free, for both the guest and the audience. Another visual technique I have noticed is his movement about the place, you can tell that he is trying to keep the interviewing calm and enjoyable by constantly moving which makes him look like he is active and playful. One verbal technique is his choice or use of language, he uses swear words here and there which is I think not that relevant and for the younger audience listening or watching is not a good impression. However, one verbal technique used which is good at engaging the audience in the right way is his consistency with the interview. This is good because he is moving from question to question making it flow easily and so there is more to talk about this is important also, as the listeners and viewers want to hear about or from the star as much as they can, so by Nick continuously asking a stream of different questions and making everything flow is enjoyable and interesting for the audience.