This is the first news script I have ever read aloud. The task seemed straight-forward, however, there were several obstacles to sounding like a seasoned news reader.
Even though I have spent most of my life in Australia, an accent emerges when I read out loud. It is a combination of Scottish, English and Australian, with some South East (Colonial) African inflections.
The sound file (above), is my third attempt at reading the script. The accent was stronger in two earlier trials.
Consciously, ‘normalising’ the lilt and pronunciation, in an attempt to ‘fix’ my accent led to reading errors. As I became more self-conscious, it was harder to focus upon the text.
Another significant challenge was due a history of having a stutter (from late teens). Consequently, reading aloud causes some anxiety, requiring extra energy, breathing techniques and a lot of courage.
Positive aspects
Firstly, my pronunciation (words) is mostly accurate and clear, as is my articulation (sounds).
Secondly, a fluency can be heard, developing in the overall delivery of sentences.
Thirdly, the vocal tone (timbre) is listenable.
Negative aspects
Firstly, there is a level of self-consciousness evident, due to my awareness of my accent. This makes the reading a little uncomfortable, which is noticeable in places.
Secondly, there are some errors in the reading of the script. Reading from a book is somehow easier for me than reading a news script!
Thirdly, my usual recording equipment is undergoing updates and currently does not function. I resorted to using a Windows 10 ‘app’, which accessed the computer’s built-in microphone. Therefore, the quality of the recording is not very good.
Finally, I found it quite daunting, as my voice is animated due to years of singing and early acting training. It is a challenge for me to read in a moderated way and seemed strange to ‘colour‘ the voice for news reading.
An even sound and medium, steady pace sounded better overall, but could also become boring without some inflection.
In summary, with better recording equipment and more practice, my news reading would improve.
2b. Video resource: Julia Gillard’s speech in parliament – misogyny. Gillard labels Abbott a misogynist.
2c. i
In response to Julia Gillard’s voice
My first impression is that Julia Gillard has a very strong Australian accent.
Julia Gillard’s accent has been criticised as being ‘general’ (Trawick-Smith 2011), rather than specific to Adelaide, where she grew up. Her strong accent is described as ‘a mystery’, having changed since her school days (Trinca 2010).
The strength of the accent captured my attention, almost diverting from her words.
Secondly, the pace of her speech is quite slow, which can be perceived as ‘patronising’.
Speech analyst, Dean Frenkel (2011) points out that she became slower and ‘slightly robotic’ in her delivery, as her term progressed, largely due to the pressure of filling Prime Ministerial shoes. As a result, her approach often seems ‘self-conscious’.
Julia Gillard appears to be particular in her choice of words. She enunciates (pronounces) and articulates (makes clear syllables and sounds) noticably.
In an online poll of 53 people interested in voice and speech, 66 per cent considered her sound to be ‘detrimental’, against 17 per cent who thought it was ‘beneficial’ to her party and career in politics (Noonan 2010).
The opposite opinion was evident when she won a larger Fairfax poll (3623 respondents) to determine the most popular political voice in 2010 (Frenkel 2011).
From a technical level, the harsh ‘edge’ to her voice (mid-range) provides carrying power. This quality is called ‘twang’ (achieved through the narrowing of the epiglottis), but is often confused with nasality.
Voice Research Laboratory director, Cate Madill (2011) delineates ‘speech’ from ‘voice’, identifying Julia Gillard’s slow, ‘deliberate’, monotonous delivery as a problem, and attributing many of Julia Gillard’s edgy or croaky vocal qualities to nervousness.
In many situations Julia Gillard is required to be heard over other ‘deeper’ (mostly male) voices. Her higher-pitched, slower-paced voice is distinctive, drawing attention.
Lucy Cornell impresses the need for ‘more depth’ and ‘resonance’ to be developed in Julia Gillard’s voice (VoiceCoachGlobal 2010). However, her voice cuts through and is easy to identify, due to the harsh qualities that are hailed as problems.
In conclusion, Julia Gillard’s voice is distinctly Australian and individual. On the downside, her speech is sometimes perceived as ‘patronising’, due to the slow, robotic delivery.
The sound of Julia Gillard’s voice was emotive at times during the delivery of her misogyny speech in Parliament. There was a frailty, as well strength in her tone.
The speech was fluid and well executed. The voice served the purpose of enhancing the words.
2c. ii Content and delivery
Content
The ‘content’ of a speech relates to the textual component (the script).
Dr Michelle Mazur (2013) impresses that content is the ‘foundation’, which can be enhanced by the delivery. The idea of ‘passion’ is linked with knowledge and value provided through the content, rather than as an emotion used in the delivery of a presentation (Mazur 2013).
The content of Julia Gillard’s misogyny speech (ABC News 2012) came across clearly. It was well planned, so that one idea flowed to the next, without losing the interest of the audience.
According to a report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) (CRS 2007), some key factors involved in providing good content are as follows:
Using a three-part structure (introduction, body, conclusion)
Repetition
Peaks and troughs (cadence / variation)
Varying sentence structures
Use of imagery
Appropriateness for audience
Appropriate content for occasion
Length of speech
Credibility through research
Persuasiveness
Style
Delivery
The delivery of a speech relates to the way in which the text is spoken and performed (presentation). According to Toastmasters International (2012) the effective delivery of a speech depends upon both verbal and non-verbal communication (gestures or body-language).
Verbal delivery
In review of the misogyny speech (ABC News 2012), Julia Gillard’s delivery (verbal) sounds passionate, due to the emotional expression in her voice: whereas, her usual delivery was often referred to as ‘robotic’ (Frenkell 2011). An example of natural emotion in her vocal delivery can be heard at 4:07-09 (‘misogyny, sexism’), 11:16 (‘offended’) and 11:24 (‘venomous’).
The sound of Julia Gillard’s voice has been attributed to nervousness (Madill 2011), however, it works to her benefit in this scenario. Although her speech is slow and deliberate, the emphasis she places upon certain words enhances her verbal delivery.
Non-verbal delivery
The non-verbal delivery of Julia Gillard’s misogyny speech (ABC News 2012) shows a good knowledge of speech presentation techniques. However, her frequent pointing is somewhere in a zone between irritating and effective. Finger pointing may be used as a directive tool, or can indicate an accusation (Burke 2016). It is unclear at some stages of the misogyny speech (ABC News 2012) whether Julia Gillard’s pointing gesture is consistently deliberate.
Nervous habits (tics) can distract the viewer of an audio-visual presentation, reducing the impact of the words being spoken (Toastmasters International 2012).
Toastmasters International (2012) describe four major groups of gestures: descriptive, emphatic, suggestive, and prompting. All of these categories are used in Julia Gillard’s non-verbal delivery of the misogyny speech. This adds to the impact of the content for viewers.
Overall, the content of the speech has been enhanced through an impassioned delivery and a strong use of effective non-verbal communication.
2c. iii
Same speech, different voice
The use of a different voice for the same content of a speech, could cause some change to the listener’s perception.
For instance, in an extreme scenario, a serious speech could become a skit if the emphasis upon certain words was changed. Expressions and mannerisms could also be inappropriately assigned, to form a comical version.
When the content of a speech is strong enough to stand alone, a message could still be imparted, regardless of the speaker’s ability, as long as it was appropriately presented.
Neale, TH & Ely, D 2007, CRS Report for Congress – Speechwriting in perspective: a brief guide to effective and persuasive communication, order code 98-170 GOV, Congressional Research Service (CRS), USA, viewed 26 March 2016, http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/crs/98-170.pdf
Speech & Script by Sheena 