Week 9 / Assessment 1 Reflection

Assessment 1 Reflection

Week One's workbook introduced me into this course, it gave me a perspective of what to expect. It allowed me to look at famous speeches and how they were delivered. Recording my voice reading a news script allowed me to hear the faults in my own voice.

In week 2 the activity was looking at the news script we read in week one done professionally by Kate Stowell. Hearing it done by Miss Stowell allowed me to see how it was supposed to be heard and what words that she emphasized. This activity allowed me to see or hear where I went wrong in the original recording of the news script. This helped me with my learning.

The activities in week three allowed me to expand on Rhetoric. At the start of this week I did not fully understand this subject. But looking at the extensive works of Aristotle and the video really helped my understanding of this topic. 

In week four we had to recorded the new script from week one again. This time I had to emphasize the words that Kate Stowell had. I also had to practice before recording the script. I enjoyed this exercise as it allowed me to see the difference between the two news scripts I had recorded. I could hear how practicing and emphasizing the different words made a large difference in the two scripts. 

In week five the topic was institutional talk. This week I compared a news orientated interview and an entertainment interview. I enjoyed this activity as it helped my learning, as it gave me the opportunity to see the different type of institutional talk between different genres. 

PAIBOC was one of the major activities that help my learning in week six. This activity was designed to help me think about my final assessment and what its purpose was who it was targeted for. I enjoyed this activity as it helped turn my attention towards my final assessment.

The piece to camera recording of week seven was a little challenging yet helpful. It was helpful in the sense that it allowed me to talk to the camera better. What I found challenging was having to describe what was around me, when really nothing interesting was happening around me. However talking to the camera did help me. Clayman;s article was also really interesting. It was amazing how addressing people by their first name can make a big difference when talking in an interview situation.

In week eight and nine the activities focused on the drafting process for assessment two. The PowerPoint structure of the key points for my media release allowed to think about my key points and the visuals I wanted to include. In week nine I had to focus on the script I would be writing for my media release. I then had to do the voice over and identify key points that I had to improve on. These activities helped in my learning and focus a lot. The activities allowed me to apply what I have learnt in the last nine week to the drafting process of my final assessment piece. 

Overall the activities completed in week one to week nine were helpful to learning. Especially the recording activities and the activities focused on assessment two.

At this stage my speaking has definitely improved. I believe this has occurred due to all the recording activities that I had to do. I would like to improve more on my script writing. I would have like to done more activities based around script wiring other than for the assessment two drafting process.

I really enjoyed the blogging process. I had used a blog before in another class so I was aware with what I could do with the program. I enjoyed the process of blogging as it allowed me to put each activity in one spot and there was no risk of losing any of the work I had done. Along with uploading my recordings to Sound cloud and my PowerPoint on slidehsare enable me to not lose any of my work.

I am now in week nine of the term and I feel ok with the upcoming assessment two, I am not overly confident but I am mellow with task. I may not write a great speech but hopefully I will write a decent one. At this point in time I need to start researching about my key pint for my speech and a little more on my own electorate division. I need to research more on my media release and run a few drafts for it also. So overall at this stage I am okay with the final task I just need to research more so I have all that facts to include into my speech. 

Week 9 Workbook

1. Draft Script: Consider your final assignment. Draft one page of an audiovisual script associated with your final assignment. It could be the video news release, or the news story. It should be at least the first page of the script, and deal with introducing the story. Post this on your blog. If you wish to write more, then feel free to do so. 

The following is only a draft script of the videos new release.

'Teagan Pitman is a local member of the electorate division of Leichhardt. In recent week Teagan has been representing this division in many ways.
 
She stands for all people in Leichhardt to be treated the same. She is investigating the improvement of the Bruce Highway and has stressed that the work has to be done quicker. Miss Pitman is also pushing the need to protect the Great Barrier Reef as it is a vital income for Leichhardt.

Miss Pitman has great key points. These points have allowed Leichhardt voters to elect her as the newly appointed Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives.

Yesterday afternoon, in Canberra Miss Pitman gave her Maiden Speech. She has stated the following in her speech:
     
"I don't want to be like everybody else who comes up here and pretends to stand for something. I want to be the woman who knows she stands for something. I want to the woman who has voters that know I stand for something. And that something is Leichhardt. I stand here for Leichhardt."

Her contribution to the electorate division is vital for its development in the future.'

2. Deliver the Script: Do a dry run of reading this page of script. Record your reading, and time this. Post your recording to your blog, and reflect on areas you need to improve on at this stage

You will find my recording of my draft script at the following link:

https://soundcloud.com/teagan-pitman/week-9-draft-script

When I recorded the draft script I read it as clearly as I could and emphasized important words. This recording only took and minute and six seconds. At this stage I need to practice pronunciation  of particular words such as electorate. There are some area of this section that I would like to edit, but it is only a draft so it will become better. I need to speak louder. I also need to listen to some audio visual media releases so I know where to emphasize, what else needs to be included in this script.  

Week 8 Wookbook

1. Oral Presentation: Consider your final assignment. For this activity, you are to develop a presentation and a script that informs the audience about your topic. 

2. You can use PowerPoint, Prezi, or any other type of presentation software. 

3. You should use this as a test run for your one of your final assessment pieces. For example, you could envisage presenting your speech and use the slides to help organize a structure. Alternatively, you could map out your media release or news story scripts using this technique because it puts into practice the idea of writing a script that underlies visual support. On your slides, you may have a visual, or a description of what you might use to support your script. For example: Slide = ‘Bike Paths’ (or photo of bikes on paths); Script: My vision includes better recreational facilities… 

4. You should pay some attention to presentation of your slides (eg. type format and layout). 

5. You will submit the file (including script) on your blog, or if PowerPoint, you can upload it to Slideshare (slideshare.com). 

6. Reflect on this activity. Was it useful to your learning this week? If 

so, how? Record your responses in writing on your blog. 

You can find my PowerPoint structure at the following link --> PowerPoint Planning

When reading this week’s activity at first I was not sure how to set it out on the power point slides. I then seen a post in the forum discussion which stated that you could set it out to the following format or similar by Ames (2014, April, 22). The following is the format that was displayed on the forum:

AUDIO	VISUAL
Newly elected MP Jamie Bloggs is calling for water reform in Capricornia.	Jamie Bloggs on election trail.

Your PowerPoint slides could be as follows:

1. Photo of Jamie Bloggs on election trail. [Script - lead para on call for water reform]

2. Photo of water treatment plant. [Script - indirect quote from Jamie about issues associated with water in region]

3. Photo of Jamie bloggs talking. [Script - direct quote from Jamie]

 This week activity was useful to my learning because it allowed me to visualise my media release for assessment two. Planning it in PowerPoint allowed me to create a structure of what is to be written/stated along with the visual that corresponds to the script in the media release.

I also found this activity to be useful because it has allowed me begin thinking about the final assessment and start preparing for this assessment.

Referencing

Ames, K 2014, April 22, Re: presentation query, electronic discussion forum message, CQUniversity, Moodle, COMM12033 Speech and Script, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=155007&parent=466455

Week 7 Workbook

1. Features of a genre: Record 5 to 10 minutes of a chat-based program (Today, Sunrise, Hamish and Andy etc). Tolson argued that chat-based programming is oriented toward the personal, it features wit and humour, and the risk of transgression underlies talk (1991). Are these features evident in your recording, and if so, how? What does this tell you about what you would need to know or do if you wanted to be a host in this context? Record your responses in writing on your blog. 

Chat based shows are all over TV. There on in the morning on nearly every channel or they are on the during the or in the afternoon, everyday. As part of this weeks exercise I recorded the show Mornings which has a 2 hour segment on Channel 9 on weekdays and a highlight of the week show on Saturday. This particularly recording was recorded on Saturday morning. The show is presented by Sonia Kruger and David Campbell. The recorded segment talks very personally about those involved in the news. In the video link above the presenters are talking to Michael Crowless about the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. The three of them talk about her makeup, hair and styling techniques. Along with the resemblance between Prince George and his father. In this particular recording there is no wit or humor. However I have seen wit/humor on other chat based morning shows such as the The Morning Show with Larry Edmur and Kylie Gillies. These presenters work well together and are constantly laughing together and making fun of each other. There use of with and humor keep the audience watching. In a way even though talk shows are a professional job and talk about famous people they do appear informal talk because of the way the co-hosts talk to each other on and in front of the camera.
      This tells me if i ever did want to be a host in this context  I would have to get along with the other host have with and humor and be able to have a laugh and tale a joke. As well as be up to date in the news and current gossip. But also be able to conduct interviews in a professional manner.

2. Changing ‘performance’ to suit the genre: Mary Hart, a famous entertainment reporter, was host of the entertainment show Entertainment Tonight for many years. Her ability to change her performance as a reporter when interviewing guests voicing her own stories is quite incredible to watch. See ‘Mary Hart’s Legendary Interviews’: http://www.zimbio.com/watch/_Ofyzqlh_bm/Mary+Hart+Legendary
+Interviews/Mary+Hart Of particular note is her piece to camera at around the 2.40 minute. Compare the tone she uses when she interviews her guests, when she herself is interviewed, and when she is doing her piece to camera. What do you think she is ‘doing’ when she makes these performative changes? Record your responses in writing on your blog. 

Mary was born in South Dakota. Her career has bounced from a high school teacher, a new anchor, an actress and an entertainment presenter. She is rather well known for her 29 nine years on the show, Entertainment Tonight (ET). Her various performances in her job role has allowed her to manipulate her voice depending on the genre she is speaking in.
     The original link that was given had technical issues. This meant I had to look for videos myself. When researching Mary Hart, there are a number of videos to watch. I have chosen a few (see references).
      The YouTube video of Mary Hart as news anchor before ET displays how her voice has evolved over many years. The change then assumes Ms Hart may have had a professional coach to sound like she is today.
      When she is interviewed herself her body is relaxed and she has a laugh with the interviewer. You can tell by her tone that she is not on the job so she is relaxed and laughing with the situation.
      I looked at three videos of her interviewing people. Her voice is very professional and her tone is serious. When talking about something that is important to her she is very focuses on the topic of the interview and the matter itself.
    Her Michael Jackson interview allowed her to spend some time with the man. And looking back on it she identified that as a performer he got nervous to an behind the spotlight he was a very lonely man something that his fans never saw. She spoke about these issues in a very formal matter.
      Her piece to camera's (PTC) were very hard to find. I did however see snippets of them in a memorable video. Her tone is these PTC are very different to her interviews. She is enthusiastic about the environment she is in and appears really excited to be there. The situation I am referring to his her PTC on the red carport. Her smile in her PTC is really wide and genuine and her whole body is enthusiastic to be covering the story.
     Mary Hart is a very talented at her changing performance in regards to the situation and genre that she is involved in. This talent is displayed in her ever changing tone.

3. Piece to Camera practice: Using a smartphone, or a video camera, ask someone to record you doing a piece to camera where all you are doing is describing the scene behind you. For example, “We are here at [place]. There are people [describe what people are doing]. On my left is [describe what’s on your left], and on my right is [describe what’s on your right]. This exercise will help you gain confidence in talking ‘naturally’ to the camera. Record your reflections on this activity on your blog. 

To be honest I found this activity challenging. It was not the talking in front of the camera part I found hard. Instead it was having to describe what was around me. When I did it did not sound interesting just boring. In the video above it still does sound boring, I am only describing what was in my kitchen. I did enjoy the activity but I was nervous with what to say it did allow me to understand the concept of a piece to camera.

4. Review: Review the Clayman reading on news interviews, and summarize the key points of the article. Record this in writing on your blog. 

Clayman's article talks about address terms. Address terms meaning how interviewees and interviewers address each other usually by the first name. Clayman recognizes that this is only happening when the interviewees speak from the heart. For example, the interview excerpt with Hilary Clinton in the article conveys that personal matters such as the Monica Lewinski scandal was not speaking from the heart as she did not address the interviewer. But when the interviewer asked how the election had changed her life then she addressed the interviewee hence she was speaking form the heart when she answered.
     The same system can be applied when the interviewee is standing his ground on his innocence. Using the address term in this particular case the interviewee according to Clayman (2007, p.10) is workings to bolster a claim in the face of a challenge to his sincerity.
      The paper only explores one action of using address term in this case interviews. Clayman tends to explore various action.

References


Clayman, S, 2007, 'Address Terms in Service of other Actions: The Case of News Interview Talk', Paper 
presented at the American Sociological Association annual meeting, New York, August. URL: 
http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=84d9e9fa-52d7-4299-b082-d75fc6e715fa%40
sessionmg15&vid=5&hid-120

Emily Rister, 2011, Justin Bieber Interview with Mary Hart on ET, 24 February, viewed 19th April 2014,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYyl2JHJsfU

Entertainment Tonight, 2013, Mary Hart's Touching Annette Funicello Memories, video, 9 April, viewed 19th April 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnmacwEdKmQ

Entertainment Tonight 2014, Mary Hart's Real Acting Debut on Baby Daddy, video, 29 January, viewed 19th April 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOk97stu6mI

NewsCraft, 2012, Mary Hart Entertainment Tonight career highlights, 6 April, viewed 19th April, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYqwvdOfhFE

OneMoreChanceAtLove, 2011, (ITA sub) Mary Hart Michael Jackson Kansas City, video, 15 May, viewed 19th April 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxyqpeYwERc

randyhanger, 2007, Mary Hart - News Anchor, 19 September, viewed 19th April 2014, 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-Y9Hj5SKSo

Week 6 Workbook

1.Thinking about genre: Review the following article – ‘Facilitating learning and change in groups and group sessions’ at http://www.infed.org/biblio/b-facil.html. What are the features of facilitation, based on your reading of this article, that align it with being a form of ‘formal talk’ as a speech genre. Do you agree that it is a form of ‘formal talk’? If not, why not? Record your response on your blog (in writing).

Facilitating is a concept where a third party becomes involved to identify problems which people or a group have which indefinitely make them more effective at solving problem or getting the job done. The facilitating session has a beginning, middle and end. The article states that facilitators use a model called EFFECT (Smith, 2009). This models stands for Environment, Focus, Feelings, Experiences, Changes and Timing.
     This genre seems informal however facilitators have an aim or a goal. This aim or goal allows for a structured 'formal talk'. According to the week 6 study guide (CQUniversity, 2014, p.4) the defining feature is that all talk within the particular setting is structured and aimed at a particular purpose. Facilitators have a purpose and aim. They apply a model called EFFECT to each of their sessions to guarantee they get what they aim for at the end of their session. This then means the this method is yes a form of 'formal talk' in speech genre.

2.Turn your attention to your final assignment: Consider the requirements for Assessment Item 2, where you are required to write a short speech and script, or two scripts, depending on whether you are doing a public relations or journalism topic. Map the project out using PAIBOC, as discussed in this week’s Study Guide Lesson. Record your response on your blog (in writing). 

Assessment Two requirements: You are a newly appointed media advisor to a local State politician, and your task is to write your Member's parliamentary maiden speech. You can assume your Member's passions are your own, and the local electorate will be your own. 

I live in Cairns, in Far north Queensland so my electorate is Leichhardt.

PAIBOC is system created by Kitty Locker and Stephen Kaczmarek (2014, p.2 ). PAIBOC is a system that allows you to think about what is needed to be put into your speech rather than how it should be structured    

Purpose: A maiden speech is given a when a new member is elected into the House of representatives. The speech's purpose is to thank the party for the electing the member and to identify key electoral beliefs and issues withing the member electorate, in the assessment's case, the electorate is Leichhardt.

Audience: The audience for this speech will be the House of Representatives, the other members of Leichhardt. Media coverage will also be on the speech, so residents from the Leicharrdt region will be watching the news for any political coverage on the newest elected member. 

Information: The speech will provide background information about elected member. It will discuss key electoral issues, the member's strong beliefs of the Australian nation, why they got into politics and what they wish to achieve. The speech will also thank the public and others members for the opportunity to be elected. 

Benefits: As the speech will receive media coverage it must appeal to the Leichhardt region audiences and the key issues must be stated to benefit everyone in that audience. Hence the speech as a whole must focus on Leichhardt, the issues and the how the members wants to fix these issues. This can be done by using rhetorical techniques, emotive language and emphasis the solutions. 

Objections: The audience may object to what key electoral issues are emphasized. As the may believe another issue should have been more emphasized. Opponents would object to the political views in the speech. 

Context: The maiden speech is presented to the House of Representatives and the speaker. The speech will be received highly by the Leichhardt followers. However opponents may not be influenced by the topics spoken therefore may not receive the speech as highly as others. 

3. What would be the main differences and similarities between a formal speech and an impromptu speech, in your own words? Record your response as though it was an impromptu speech on your blog (lasting one to two minutes). Focus on your delivery and timing in this recording. 

You will find my impromptu speech at the following link:

https://soundcloud.com/teagan-pitman/teaganpitmans-impromptu-speech

References:

CQUniversity 2012, COMM12033 - Speech and Script-Lesson 6: Genres of Speech - Corporate, CQUniversity, Rockhampton

Smith, MK  2009, Facilitating learning and change in groups and group sessions, viewed 10 April 2014, http://infed.org/mobi/facilitating-learning-and-change-in-groups-and-group-sessions/

Week 5 Workbook

1. Notice talk: The first task this week is to notice your own talk. How do you greet people (in detail – what exactly do you say)? How do you sign off or say goodbye (again, in detail)? How do you deal 
with uncomfortable moments (silence, for example)? Do you use humour to transition to a close? Record your response on your blog (in writing). 

I greet people differently depending on the person.

My boss I greet with a Hi or Good morning, if he responds with a Hi how are you and I then respond with an answer and ask how he is. But I do not ask how he is unless he ask first. I say goodbye to my boss with goodbye and sometimes  he will add see you tomorrow if I am working the next day, or he also have a good afternoon.

Other work colleagues and friends i greet with a hi, how are you, what have you been up to and then we trail onto a 30 minute conversation. I usually say goodbye by saying the words goodbye and see you when i see you next.

Family I say Hi, how have you been, what have you've been up to and so on. I say goodbye to family with a hug/kiss and a goodbye.

I deal with uncomfortable situations depending on who it is. If i know the person well for example friends and family, some work colleagues who I am friends with outside of work. I will ask what is wrong etc. If it is the boss for example I usually stay clear because he is properly frustrated or angry because of the job and it is less conflicting to get involved. Sometimes i transition out of an uncomfortable conversation by bringing up a new topic.

I never close with humor, I am not good at that.

2. Consider institutional talk in detail: Compare a news interview with an entertainment-oriented interview (you may need to record this or find these online). Consider the following: 

a. How was the interviewee introduced? 

b. What types of questions were asked? 

c. How was the potential for conflict managed (if any)? 

d. Was humour evident, and how? 

e. How did the interview conclude? 

f. What were the differences, if any, between the types of 

interview? 

Record your response on your blog (in writing). 

The following is the News Interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLmHFk9aa8s

The interviewer introduced the interviewee by stating who she was and where she was situated, in the studio or on air somewhere else etc. The news presenter/interviewer asked about Rudd, about Julia Gillard's treatment, asked about whether Australian's want negativity from this election or a rather a positive future, they then debate slightly about the negative ads on TV. Slight conflict arise over the negative ads. Bishop then establishes that the ads are of quotes spoken by the labor government, talking about Rudd. The interview closes by the interviewer saying thank you for being here today Julie Bishop. 

The following is the Entertainment-orientated Interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrQfkr2wEyA

The interviewer introduces the interview by talking about events surround the interview. Then she introduces who she is interviewing. the presenter ask the interviewee's questions about love making scene in the new movie. Humor is used extensively in this interview and the interviewee's laugh a lot. there is no conflict. The interview closes with a fact from the new movie and a quote agreeing with the last quote from what one of the interviewee's said. 

The two interviews were very different. The tone was different. The news interview felt serious where the entertainment one was fun and laughable and relaxed. You could evidently tell that the two interview had different purposes. 

3.Read the course resource online. 

 This course resource talks about a lot of key aspects. The main point of the article is using rhetorical language to generate an effective applause from the audience in response to the speech. It talks about setting a spot for the audience to applaud. It leads up an audience to applaud. The text uses the example 'The winner is' on line six then announces the winner on line eight (Heritage, Clayman, 2010, 264). The benefits of the structured response are expressive and instrumental. 

        The text also points out the format of inviting applause; contrast, lists and puzzle solutions.

        A contrast is a negative statement counterbalance by a positive statement. Types of contrast; contradictions, comparison, opposites and phrase reversals.

        Lists are used to show the kind of emphasis and projectability to permit and audience to react. Three part lists are the most common and the best to use. Lists include; three identical words, three different words, three phases and three sentences.

         The last is a puzzle solution where the speaker arouses the interest of the audience by identifying a problem or a puzzle. 

         The article suggests that combining three or two of the formats stated above, will enhance emphasis and projectability. the formats will help speech writing as they will enable the audience to be aware of the speech and words. And as Heritage and Clayman (2010, 263) states the 'audience has always had a make or break role'.

References

Chapter 18: Interaction en Masse: Audiences and Speeches in Heritage, J and Clayman, S 2010 Talk in Action: Interaction, Identities and Institutions, Wiley Blackwell, West Sussex.

Week 4 Workbook

1. Re-record your news script.. 

The following link is my re-recorded news script:

https://soundcloud.com/teagan-pitman/week-4-re-recored-news-voice

2. Reflect upon your new recording: Is there a difference from the original, and if so how? Write a short reflection on your blog, making specific references to performative techniques you used. 

Before I recorded the news script, after watching it done professional. I practiced just reading it to myself, memorizing the words. I then read it aloud emphasizing the words that Kate Stowell had. I read it aloud multiple times. I recorded it a few times but made some little mistakes like saying the wrong word. The final recording sounded different to the original I had done in week one. I was slower in pronouncing the words. I paced myself and did not read to quickly. I did sound more professional compared to the first recording. But I was not on the same level as Ms Stowell.  

3. Read a Course Resource Online (Chapter 2 - Basic Elements of Production Hilliard, R 2011, Writing for television, radio, and new media, 10th ed, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Boston). Reflect on how the environment may impact on your performance if you are a working with cameras or in a studio, based on this reading, which focuses on production directions and issues, and writing these into 

a script. Record your response on your blog

Environment can make a big difference in a final recording. Camera angles make or break a shot if shooting on the wrong angle you could loose your subject. And you will confuse your audience. As well as camera framing. if the audience is viewing the recording on a smaller device and the camera frame is wrong or out, so will the news presenter. A writer also has to be weary of the studio. If a studio does not provide everything you may need but you write it into your script anyway, what are you going to then. This is why you have to be weary of thing like that. A big example of a studio requirement is space, some have a lot and some don't.