Picture It
Module 2, Activity 2.1 - Introduction to Radio Journalism
Teacher Page
(student page for this lesson)

Introduction:

Radio allows broadcasters to create a picture in the listeners' minds. Broadcasters must consider not only what they are saying but how they are saying it. Often, the enthusiasm or voice inflection of the broadcaster can change the meaning or image created for the listener. In this lesson, students will learn the importance of making specific language and sound choices.

Resources:

- radio drama clip
- sample photos (may take a minute to load)
- Real Audio or Windows Media if needed
- Good Morning Vietnam video clip or audio clips

Activities:

Task One - Sound Off
In a time when television is by far the most popular medium, students must begin by looking at how radio can offer something equally as interesting, despite the lack of visual aide.

Find or record a sound clip from a movie or radio drama. Play this clip for the students at least twice and have them answer the questions on the student version of this page.

After the students have had the chance to record their understanding of the sound clip, discuss the following questions with the students in relation to the notes they took while listening:

1. What effect do the background sounds have on the conversation being had?
2. How are the characters able to portray the realm of emotions you listed?

Task Two - Put It into Words
Students should have spent time looking at the importance of vivid word choice in their unit on print journalism. Now, they must try to put that concept to work in broadcast journalism.

Put the students into groups of approximately 5 and have them complete the activity below:

1. Give each group a different photo to look at.
2. Each student within the group must describe the photo to the class
3. While one member of the group is describing the picture, all others members of that group must step out of the class so that they cannot hear their group member's description.
4. The class will not be able to see the picture; they will simply listen to each of the 5 group members describe the scene.
5. At the end, all group members will step out and the class will vote to determine which of the students gave the most vivid descriptive picture.
6. Each of the groups will go through this process.

Objectives:

Students will be able to
- understand the requirements for reporting news using radio, television, and the Internet
- recognize the difference between writing for electronic media and writing for print media
- identify the conventions of the electronic media
- speak to inform
- listen to understand and learn
- recognize a speaker's attitude, tone, and bias

Want to offer an external incentive?
Give the student from each group who won the vote a reward of your choice!
(candy, bonus marks, one chance to hand in something a day late)

Try having the students view a scene or listen to audio clips from the movie Good Morning Vietnam starring Robin Williams.

Good Morning Vietnam Audio Clips (located at the bottom of the page)

# 1 - Signature opening
# 2 - War Fashion
# 3 - Ho Chi Minh Trail