Workbook: Week 8, Activity 1

Week 8, Activity 1

Oral presentation

Part 1. Develop a presentation and associated script for your speech / release story

Part 2. Create slides in power point with description

Part 3. Load onto blog (can use slideshare or similar)

Part 4.  Reflect on activity

 

Parts 1-3

Slides for the speech

XYZ Company slides

 

Parts 1-3 Overview of script for speech

Slide 1: Title slide – XYZ Company – Stepping into the future with confidence – by Sheena Mackie (CEO)

Welcome audience and introducing self.

Present an overview of what is being addressed in the speech.

Slide 2: First point – Positive outlook

The first point has been chosen to focus the audience upon the importance and benefits of a positive outlook.

The slide has an image of clouds forming over the ocean on a sunny day. This can be seen as a good or bad thing depending upon a person’s outlook. However, it is simply a part of nature and necessary to the continuation of life. It is a matter of perspective, as to how a situation is processed and acted upon.

Consequently the company’s continuation and future success depends upon an optimistic outlook to make the best of all that it is presented with at any point in time.

The following question is raised: Do you see impending storm clouds, or do you see the necessity for the rain to provide the conditions in which growth can occur?

(Compare and contrast rhetorical device)

(Please note: These are my own words and will form a question posed in my actual speech).

Slide 3: Second point – Change

Seasons are a natural part of life and also can be observed in business and economics. Just as trees and animals acclimatize, so must business, if it is to survive.

Aspects of changes that have taken place in the past leading up to this point are discussed (history).

Change presents an opportunity to progress, adjust or consolidate.

The question is posed: Why do trees always seem greener just before the rain falls?

(Puzzle-solution rhetorical device).

Slide 3: Third point – Action

Overcoming obstacles and setbacks requires thought, planning and action.

Timely and well-planned action assists in:

  • overcoming difficulties
  • undertaking repairs or fixing issues
  • strengthening areas of weakness
  • creating a ‘buffer’ to weather the coming seasons
  • preparing for the future generally

Seasons can bring with them, extreme conditions. The better equipped the company is to attend to problems, the sooner it can recover.

Slide 4: Fourth point – Being more efficient and effective

When employees are positioned in roles that they excel at and can flourish in, the organisation benefits.

Each person has a unique skill set and talent, which can be utilised to ensure job satisfaction and greater efficiency.

When the company is more efficient, it is more effective in the marketplace.

Thought: Each life form on earth has a strength and purpose…

Slide 5: Fifth point – Meeting objectives 

Consistent and persistent effort is required to overcome difficulties and steadily build a stronger future, with greater preparation, buffering and responsiveness.

Sowing the seeds at the right time or season, in the relevant areas, will ensure a healthy harvest is reaped in the future.

It takes timing, effort, knowledge, action, consistency, persistence, patience and nurturing to develop a seedling to a full grown and healthy plant. Business is not unlike growing a plant from seed.

It takes persistent and consistent effort to reap the rewards.

Slide 6: Summary 

Company XYZ can move confidently into the future:

  • through taking a positive outlook
  • by embracing change
  • by taking well-planned action
  • by becoming more efficient and effective, and
  • by reaching objectives through persistent and consistent effort

Thank you

 

Part 4

Reflection

In undertaking this activity I was reminded of how enjoyable and creative it is to create slides. Designing a presentation is the enjoyable part, whilst performing it is the nerve-wracking part.

The activities have been useful in assisting me to organise my thoughts and come up with more ideas on how to present my speech, and what to say.

Overall, I enjoyed this week’s tasks.

 

Workbook: Week 9, Activity 1-2

Week 9, Activity 1-2

Activity 1: Draft script / AV chart

News story script

In this evening’s news, the new CEO of XYZ Company is stepping into the future with confidence.

She’s taking an optimistic view, given the situation that  XYZ has had in previous years.

She emphasises its potential for the future and impresses that business climates can be like the seasons, but that opportunity is always there for those who are diligent enough to seek it out.

She further insists that improving business efficiency can occur through ensuring employee talent is recognised and utilised.

Through persistent and consistent effort, XYZ’s CEO forecasts a bright future.

And that’s all for tonight’s news.

 

Vision                                                                        Audio

News program INTRO sequence           Run introductory audio (theme)

(Fade out & in from black)             In this evening's news... 

Image of new CEO talking to press      the new CEO for XYZ Company... 

Image of XYZ outlets (LS/CU)           given the situation that XYZ... 

Back to presenter (MS)                 always there for those who are...   

Image of employees at work (Pan)       improving business efficiency...   

Back to presenter (MS - Zoom in)       XYZ's CEO forecasts... to tonight's news    
News program EXIT sequence             Run exit audio (theme)

 

Activity 2: Script reading

https://soundcloud.com/sheenamackie/news-story-snippet-leader/s-VWe8T

News story (leader/primer) – snippet format.

 

Workbook: Week 9, Activity 3-4

Week 9, Activity 3

General blog review

I have been quite diligent in attending to the micro-aspects of writing and referencing.

Throughout the blog, I have attempted to maintain stylistic continuity. This included a series of photographs that I took specifically to enhance the blog and relate to the topics.

At times, I have written more than may have been required. I found it fitting to ensure that I had explored the topic satisfactorily, rather than merely providing an overview. By contrast, there are some instances of a summary being provided.

Overall, I think I have managed to create a visually interesting and textually satisfactory blog on speech and script.

 

Week 9, Activity 4

Reflection

a) The most useful activities to my learning were usually the ones that I disliked the most.

Reading the news script was both humiliating and enlightening. I consider the understanding and practical application of ideas to be essential to being able to adequately read news items over an audio or audio-visual medium.

Learning about how speeches are formulated, through undertaking literature reviews and analysing speeches, was helpful. Speech writing had almost been a mystery to me in the past, as I separated the idea of a ‘presentation’ with that of a ‘speech’. Understanding the rhetorical devices used to create a successful ‘formal’ speech, or better handle ‘informal’ and ‘impromptu’ speech, is important.

b) Undertaking the Speech & Script course at CQUniversity (COMM12033) has given me greater confidence in how to approach speech writing and presenting.

The practical element to the course has been a great way to learn in a ‘hands on’ manner. I am a visual-kinisthetic learner and practical experience is important to building my confidence. Kinesthetic learners need to try things for themselves, and visual learners like to see how things are done (rather than just listening), which can be achieved through examples and tutorials (Institute for Learning Styles Research [ILSR] 2016). Therefore, the textual and media-related aspect to the course has been effective in assisting me to learn.

c) The blogging tasks have been interesting, varied and challenging. The format (blogging) is useful in keeping up with media-related technology. I have enjoyed the blogging, but have been restricted in some ways due to health-related reasons.

d) My main concern with my final piece is that of being ‘believable’ or ‘authentic’. I am playing a role (like an actress) and need to ensure that I use the most appropriate voice attributes and speech-related devices. Even a well-written script will not sound as good if it is poorly performed or unconvincingly delivered.

There is a need for greater detail and specific data to be included in my speech, in order to make it believable from a content-based perspective. This will be a challenge.

I’m also concerned about accidentally creating a speech that sounds similar to someone else’s maiden speech in the business arena. The way I can check this, is to do some research into transitions in management in similar circumstances and similar companies.

I need to consolidate exactly what my company does in the marketplace, give it a name (that hasn’t been used before – check company name search) and create realistic, yet invented circumstances and data.

Overall, I think that with research, consideration and planning, I can construct a convincing speech, using more rhetorical devices than I have currently indicated.

 

References

Institute for Learning Styles Research (ILSR) 2016, Overview of the seven perceptual styles,  viewed 24 May 2016, http://www.learningstyles.org/styles/index.html

Workbook: Week 6, Activity 1

Week 6, Activity 1

The following is an overview of the speech I am writing for next assessment piece. It is written in point-form, using the ‘PAIBOC’ system (purpose, audience, information, benefits, objections and context). This is to provide a guide for further development of the content and a focus for deciding upon the best delivery style for the speech.

Purpose – A new CEO to a company makes a speech to reassure and encourage stakeholders.

Audience – Stakeholders (including stockholders, employees and trading partners)

Information – Important information to making the speech would include the primary audience’s demographics, medium through which speech will be conducted (and heard or seen), company information (annual report and public perception), latest news or public relations activities to date, plans for progressing and amending issues.

Benefits – The speech provides encouragement to stakeholders through a positive plan for action and change, which does not impact employees negatively. The speech also introduces stakeholders to the personality, ideas and aims of the new CEO.

Objections – There could be some resistance to new leadership, requiring change management strategies. Stakeholders may also claim that the plans for future growth and stability will not work. There needs to be some back-up plan to counter that concern.

Context – The speech is set in a challenging economic climate for the industry. Staff morale is hopeful, but dropping, as is other stakeholder morale. The media is focusing upon scare tactics and drama, rather than taking a positive outlook at the changes and future that the company is facing.

Overall, the aim of this speech is to evoke a sense of security about the company’s future, through countering fears, impressing planning and innovation, and taking a positive outlook.

 

Workbook: Week 7, Activity 1

Week 7, Activity 1

Chat-show genre: features

 

A very funny chat show interview: 

Figure 1: Jimmy Fallon and Bradley Cooper attempt to rescue an interview.
Source: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePG2VrG-ry0

 

Chat-based programs are written in specific formats including elements that are vital to an entertaining and informative program. Show hosts need to have a set of relevant skills and a distinctive persona, in order to find success.

Talk shows are designed to suit the time of day and primary audience. There are different types of talk shows according to Haarman (2008, p. 31): daytime (trash talk, audience discussion, issue-based), current affairs or interviews, and evening chat shows. The chat-based style is frequently ‘unscripted’ but well planned, and ‘anchored’ by the host or panel (Timberg & Erler 2002, p. 3).

The show host ensures that events proceed as smoothly as possible through introducing and interviewing guests, managing the flow of events, and covering up cleverly if there are any hiccups. Haarman (2008, p. 32) points out that ‘intimacy’ and ‘familiarity’ between the host and audience, are features of the talk show genre.

Late night talk shows are a popular television genre. Their popularity stems from the pioneers of the 1950s, with ‘Tonight’ becoming a flagship show in the 1960s (Timberg & Erler 2002, p. 7). The tone is lighthearted, with games or activities frequently included. Hosstyle Talent (2016) inform budding talk show hosts that the standard ‘format’ begins with a ‘monologue’, then proceeds with ‘comedic skits’, includes interaction with a live band, and features interviews with special guests. However, the chat-based format relies heavily on the skills and charisma of the host to capture the audience.

The use of humour and spontaneity is evident in the sample of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014, see Figure 1). Fallon begins by interviewing Bradley Cooper about his latest role in Broadway production ‘The Elephant Man’ (see Figure 1 [from 0:05]), but the situation dissolves into laughter rather quickly. The strange caps that they are wearing set off witty remarks, which lead to great hilarity (see Figure 1 [from 0:51]). Although Fallon attempts to rope in the laughter, by going back to the promotional push (see Figure 1 [2:51]), it is to no avail. Fallon tries a few more times, but he and his guest have lost their composure, with every attempt to regain it failing, leading the audience into raucous laughter.

Jimmy Fallon demonstrates the freedom associated with late night hosting, but also, the difficulty with performing live shows. Together, Fallon and Cooper manage to complete a ridiculous but wonderful interview and promotion.

Overall, hosting chat-based programs requires particular skills, knowledge and experience. There are certain show types and relevant formats, which have been established through time, trial and error. Chat-based programs are spontaneous within a well-planned framework.

 

References

Haarman, L 2008, ‘Performing talk’, in Tolson, A (ed), Television talk shows: discourse, performance, spectacle,  Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc. Publishers, New Jersey, viewed 28 April 2016, https://books.google.com.au/books?id=VMOQAgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Hosstyle Talent 2016, ‘Tips for becoming a talk show host: become a talk show host’, viewed 23 May 2016, http://www.hosstyletalent.biz/tips-becoming-talk-show-host/

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 2014, Bradley Cooper and Jimmy can’t stop laughing, video, 18 October, viewed 23 May 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePG2VrG-ry0

Timberg, B & Erler, RJ 2002, Television talk: a history of the TV talk show, University of Texas Press, Austin, TX, viewed 29 April 2016, https://books.google.com.au/books?id=BpIQAwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Workbook: Week 7, Activity 3

Week 7, Activity 3

Review of journal article: From talk to text (Clayman 1990)

Journalists and reporters have a unique set of considerations in undertaking an interview or producing an article. Clayman (1990, pp. 79-80) investigated aspects of ‘reporter-source’ communication, and found that ‘unfolding sequences of talk’ highlighted the behaviour of the interviewee, enabling more objectivity than quoted statements.

A variety of stories appear in news in papers and on television, in which participants are either quoted or paraphrased. According to Clayman (1990, p. 82), interactions can be reported in two ways:

  1. as directly quoted statements, or
  2. quoted with additional context.

The second option is important in some situations of reporting, as ambiguity can arise in the absence of an explanation of the interaction that was taking place (Clayman 1990, p. 84).

There are some devices that can be used in presenting statements accurately:

  1. The statement is linked to a preceding question that was asked and placed into its correct context (Clayman 1990, p. 85).
  2. Displaying a response as either, (a) ‘delayed, or (b) ‘confirmatory or rejecting’, where  (a) is achieved through attention to the timing of the response, (b) is achieved through attention to agreement or disagreement (Clayman 1990, p. 88).
  3. Placing a failure to answer into some interactional context; the respondent may decline to answer in a variety of ways, or for specific reasons (Clayman 1990, pp. 93-96).

Overall, the ability of the reporter to provide the audience with an objective and contextual report of an event, is reliant upon the way in which they choose to relay the reporter-source interaction. A variety of devices can be employed in ensuring that situations and interactions are correctly recounted. Today’s reporters can achieve greater accuracy and avoid ambiguity, through the use of Clayman’s suggestions.

References

Clayman, SE 1990, ‘From talk to text: newspaper accounts of reporter-source interactions’, Media, Culture and Society, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 79-103, viewed 26 April 2016, http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/clayman/Site/Publications.html

Workbook: Week 7, Activity 2

Week 7, Activity 2

Piece to camera – getting used to the camera

 

In the neighbourhood with Sheena

Figure 1: Piece to camera
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3gVgT6dozU

 

Reflection 

An amusing analysis of my first attempt at performing a ‘piece to camera’

Figure 1: My first attempt at doing a piece to camera
Source: https://youtu.be/LyFN9gFcZS8

 

Performing a piece to camera is not as easy as it may seem.

Firstly, it is challenging to work within a specific time-frame and create meaningful content. The shorter the time-frame, the harder it is to include adequate information. Scripting and working with a set format or template can help with overcoming this problem.

Secondly, a lack of confidence can become obvious in the performance. In my case, I tended ramble aimlessly (see Figure 2 [0:01:07]), crack jokes and giggle (see Figure 2 [0:00:50]). Having spent so many years as a professional singer, I am used to entertaining the audience between songs. Therefore, I find speaking seriously in a relatively ‘impromptu’ fashion (in cases such as this) to be difficult. I resort to humour. If I lose my way or forget part of the script, I tend to make light of it somehow. This is alright in entertainment, but not in serious news or speeches.

Thirdly, I had to film myself, using my mobile phone’s camera (video function). As I don’t have a ‘selfie stick’, this was quite difficult. I was particularly aware of the angle, as I hadn’t retouched my hair (self-conscious). It was quite awkward. In my first attempt, I filmed sideways by accident (which I had to turn around in a film editing program). My second attempt shortened and widened the frame, making it difficult for me to make hand signals.

Another issue that I faced was that I found filming in a public place to be rather embarrassing. I was uncomfortable with the idea. I have found that it is generally better if there is a ‘film crew’ (camera and sound people and an interviewer). Filming alone is akin to taking an extended ‘selfie’.

In my first attempt, I stumbled over my thoughts and words:

  • ‘Learning what NOT to say Part 1’ –  0:00:15 – ‘…local neighbourhood’.
  • ‘Learning what NOT to say Part 2’ –  0:00:31 – ‘…to my left (which is to your right)’.
  • ‘Learning what NOT to say Part 3’ –  0:00:59 – ‘…this is my little “piece to camera”.’
  • ‘Learning what NOT to say Part 4’ –  0:01:13 – ‘People are starting to look at me, thinking I’m very strange.’

(Sheena Mackie 2016a)

There was a tendency to say and do too much, such as spinning around to ‘show’ the viewers the location (see Figure 2 [0:00:44]).  I also think that my face is too animated for television (fine on stage, where the audience is at a distance). Subtlety works better for video and television in my view (unless it is comedy or a children’s program).

Making improvements

In order to improve my performance for my second attempt, I took a few minutes to consider how I could:

a) shorten the piece, and

b) improve the dialogue and other errors.

I viewed my first attempt (on my mobile phone at the location) and fixed some of the errors for the second attempt (see Figure 1).

Although there were still some problems, my second attempt sounded more confident.

Some of my issues with the second attempt were:

  • The frame made it difficult to show myself and the location at a short distance.
  • I stumbled when recalling the shops, due to being distracted by a passer-by (see Figure 1 [0:00:28]).
  • I turned and confused myself (and the audience) – 0:00:46 – ‘behind me…now (which was in front of me before, just to confuse you)’.
  • The silly joke raised its head again – 0:00:53 – ‘…First Choice Liquor barn – which if you really, really need it – there it is!’
  •  Cracking a joke made me self-conscious, as I became aware that I was attempting to be serious.

The tendency to ‘spin’ and ‘joke’ were two aspects that could be eliminated in the future, (for serious pieces to camera). Using a text prompt would also be beneficial in reducing errors.

Overall, even though the script and performance were improved, more could be done to polish the piece and make it appear (and sound) more professional.

 

References

Sheena Mackie 2016a, Sheena: First attempt at performing a ‘piece to camera’, video, 30 May, viewed 30 May 2016, https://youtu.be/LyFN9gFcZS8 

Sheena Mackie 2016b, Sheena: Piece to camera, video, 30 May, viewed 30 May 2016, https://youtu.be/G3gVgT6dozU 

 

 

 

Workbook: Week 5, Activity 3

Week 5, Activity 3

Improving speech writing through Talk in action (Heritage & Clayman 2010)

Writing a good quality speech requires technical expertise and careful consideration. The writer needs to prioritise the listener, if their message is to clearly communicated.

The role of the audience

Audiences can be diverse and will determine whether or not devices such as ‘colloquialism‘ are used. Colloquial speech is informal and conversational, which is sometimes used in professional speaking to relate to an audience (Stack Exchange Inc. 2014).

Without the attention of an audience, there is little point in making a speech, therefore, ‘the audience has always had a make or break role’ (Heritage & Clayman 2010, p. 263). In connection with this, speakers can lose an audience through a poorly written and performed script.

The response an audience has will declare their level of approval and understanding, as well as provide a strong indication of how well they relate to the speaker. However, this can be improved as ‘applause is structured by the sentence(s) that lead up to it’  (Heritage & Clayman 2010, p. 264). Even so, the audience will need adequate time to respond to the ideas that are imparted.

Gaining a positive response

Great speeches are carefully planned and measured in order to create the intended response, using a combination of techniques.

Listeners require some basis from which to form agreement with the speaker. One important rhetorical device in memorable speech writing is to ‘compare and contrast’ ideas, thereby assisting the listener with processing the overall message (Heritage & Clayman 2010, p. 267). In a study by Heritage & Greatbatch (1986, cited in Heritage & Clayman 2010, p. 208) 25 per cent of the applause was attributed to the use of contrast. Contrasting gives the audience information from which they can decide to agree or disagree.

In 1961, John F Kennedy used contrast in this catch-phrase and statement during his inaugural address:

Figure 1: An example of contrast in John F Kennedy’s inaugural address (1961).
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLdA1ikkoEc

Presenting the ideas of a speech in a logical format is another essential element to successful speech writing. The use of lists can provide emphasis, clarity and prompt applause. Heritage & Clayman (2010, p. 269) note that the effective use of lists can increase the audience’s response by 6.5 per cent. Reality television shows such as MasterChef Australia (Tenplay 2016) use the list format to announce winners and losers, as it builds tension towards a stronger response. The same concept is used in awards ceremonies such as the Grammy Awards (The Recording Academy 2016).

Another tactic used by clever speakers is that of presenting the audience with a puzzle and solution. The puzzle (or problem) establishes a means for gaining approval, when the speaker presents a key point that they are making, as a valid solution (Heritage & Clayman 2010, p. 271). However, this technique is not as common, but produces strong results according to Heritage & Greatbatch (1986, cited in Heritage & Clayman 2010, p. 271).

Well-written speeches develop the expectations of an audience towards applause in three stages:

1. Establishing the structure and positioning of argument.

2. Making important points and using rhetorical devices.

3. The delivery of the speech (micro-structure).

(Heritage & Greatbatch 1986, cited in Heritage & Clayman 2010, p. 275).

Finally, there is a question of whether form or content are more important aspects. Heritage and Greatbatch (1986, cited in Heritage & Clayman 2010, p. 276) discovered formatted statements led to greater success, and that form elicits audience response; however, content is a vital component in developing the right conditions for the audience to respond.

In conclusion, the use of specific techniques can greatly improve a speaker’s change of gaining audience approval, positive response and imparting the intended message.

References

Atkinson, M 2011, ‘JFK’s inaugural speech: six secrets of his success’, BBC  News, 19 January, viewed 10 April 2016,  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-12215248

Heritage, J & Clayman, S 2010, ‘Chapter 18: Interaction en masse: audiences and speeches’, in Talk in action: interactions, identities, and institutions, pp.263-287, Wiley-Blackwell, West Sussex, UK.

Kjeld17 2008, John F Kennedy ‘Ask not’, 5 July, viewed 10 May 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLdA1ikkoEc

Literary Devices 2016, Colloquialism, viewed 9 April 2016, http://literarydevices.net/colloquialism/

MasterChef Australia 2016, television program, tenplay, Ten Network Holdings Limited, viewed 10 May 2016, http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/masterchef

Stack Exchange Inc. 2014, ‘What are the characteristics of slang, dialect, and colloquial speech?’, 16 April, viewed 9 April 2016, http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/164241/what-are-the-characteristics-of-slang-dialect-and-colloquial-speech

The Recording Academy 2016, The GRAMMYs, viewed 10 May 2016, https://www.grammy.com/

 

 

Workbook: Week 5, Activity 2

Week 5, Activity 2

Comparing news and entertainment interviews

Interviews from: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

ABC – Lateline interview:

Lateline reporter, Emma Alberici interviews counter insurgency analyst, David Kilcullen (watch the interview on the link below).

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-16/interview:-david-kilcullen,-a-us-based-counter/7175036 

The interview with David Kilcullen was in promotion of his book Blood year, Islamic State and the failures of the war on terror. 

Although this is a promotional interview, it is also an informative and serious news interview. The topic does not allow for frivolity, but an investigative approach to determine Kilcullen’s views.

Lateline reporter, Emma Alberici introduces Kilcullen as a ‘US-based counter-insurgency analyst’, citing the title of his recent book,  an overview of his experience (Lateline 2016, 00:01-00:21).

As Kilcullen was an adviser to the previous US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, Alberici seizes an opportunity to gain some insight into an unfolding news story. She progresses by requesting Kilcullen’s view on the ceasefire in Syria (Lateline 2016, 00:23-01:36).

This is followed up by a discussion of the ‘central thesis’ of Kilcullen’s book, which is relevant to the Syrian crisis and current news. Alberici wastes no time in exploring political themes, and extracting Kilcullen’s views regarding the situations in Afghanistan and Libya.

To close the interview, Alberici lets Kilcullen know that time is up and thanks him for his input (Lateline 2016, 09:41-09:48).

This is a different approach than the following interview from ABC News (Australia):

Figure 1: Virginia Trioli interviews Cyndi Lauper & Harvey Fierstein
Source: ABC News (Australia) 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z54rFAzfMBo 

The approach to this interview is informative, yet lighthearted, given that the guests are promoting their new musical production (entertainment).

This contrasts with the seriousness of a the previous promotional interview (counter-terrorism). Although this is still news (entertainment news), it requires a different tone due to the subject matter.

The opening to the interview is rather odd: “Good morning to both of you (Australia time) and welcome to Kinky Boots” (ABC News [Australia] 2016, 00:01-00:05). However, this sets the scene for the artistic characters being interviewed, as well as their quirky production.

ABC reporter, Virginia Trioli uses puns (apparently unintentionally) and humour in her questioning: “…did you both know that this show would have legs like this when you started out with it?” (ABC News [Australia] 2016, 00:17-00:20). The use of humour at this point establishes rapport with both the interviewees and the audience (Israel 2012).

Trioli continues with a line of questioning in relation to the themes of the show and how the interviewees relate to those themes (from 02:01). In this manner, she coaxes her guests to reveal some personal aspects of their involvement with the production (Israel 2012).

To develop the interview, she discusses the guest’s separate projects. Following this, Trioli closes the interview, thanking her guests.

Comparative analysis

Both interviews use a set format for the interview: introduction, body, and conclusion. The difference lies in the type of questions asked and the overall atmosphere of the interview.

The first scenario is a serious interview, relating to counter-insurgency and the Syrian crisis, which involves the promotion of a book. The second scenario is a promotional interview about a musical production. The interviewer in both situations has some level of knowledge about the products being promoted, however, in the first instance, this is more specific due to the subject matter.

There is a notable absence of humour in the first interview as opposed to it being a key aspect of the second. The interviewer in both instances, chooses appropriate communication with the interviewees in regard to the topic. This is essential to the audience’s perception of the interviewer and interviewee as credible.

In all, the techniques used in both interviews accurately reflect the subject matter in order to communicate the story effectively to the audience.

 

References

‘The true colours of Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein’ 2016, ABC News (Australia), television program, 17 February, viewed 7 April 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z54rFAzfMBo 

‘Interview: David Kilcullen, a US-based counter-insurgency analyst’ 2016, Lateline, ABC television transcript, 16 February, viewed 7 April 2016, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-16/interview:-david-kilcullen,-a-us-based-counter/7175036

Israel, S 2012, ‘9 tips on conducting great interviews’, Forbes, 14 April, viewed 6 April 2016, http://www.forbes.com/sites/shelisrael/2012/04/14/8-tips-on-conducting-great-interviews/#a5f7575387a1