This lesson outlined is designed to help news presenters deliver TV and radio bulletins that engage and inform the audience.
It’s based on the article ‘The art of engaging viewers and listeners‘ which we recommend trainers read before adapting this lesson outline for their own purposes.
Learning objective
Students will demonstrate effective presentation skills by employing body language, voice modulation, and appearance techniques to engage viewers and listeners in TV and radio settings. They will apply these skills to overcome the challenges of diminished presence in transmitted media.
- Student-facing objective: By the end of this lesson the student will be able to use body language, voice, and appearance to make my TV or radio presentation more engaging and lively.
- Standards: The student will learn the skill required for developing engaging presentation skills for TV and radio.
Learning activities
Warm-up
Begin with a brief discussion on the importance of engaging an audience. Ask students to think about a time they were captivated by a speaker or presenter.
- Prompt: “What made that presentation engaging?”
- Share: Encourage students to share specific elements like body language, voice modulation, or appearance.
- Respond: Conduct a quick “Notice and Wonder” activity using a short video clip of a well-known presenter.
- Consider: Play a 1-2 minute clip.
- Ask: “What do you notice about the presenter’s style? What do you wonder about their techniques?”
Have students share observations and questions with a partner, then discuss as a class. This primes them for the lesson’s focus on engaging presentation skills.
Direct instruction
- Body language techniques: Explain the importance of body language in engaging viewers. Demonstrate subtle movements like leaning forward, head tilting, and facial expressions. Use a real-world example: show a clip of a news anchor using these techniques effectively. Discuss how these movements can create a sense of connection with the audience.
- Voice modulation: Introduce the concept of voice modulation to maintain listener interest. Explain how varying tone, volume, and pace can enhance engagement. Provide an example by playing a short audio clip of a radio host who uses effective voice modulation. Discuss the impact of these techniques on the audience’s perception.
- Appearance and presentation: Discuss the role of appearance in engaging presentations. Highlight the importance of appropriate attire and minimal distractions. Use a case study of a TV presenter who effectively uses appearance to enhance their presence. Discuss how appearance can influence audience focus and perception.
Guided practice
Think, Pair, Share: Guide students through a practice session to apply presentation skills.
- Think: Ask students to individually prepare a 1-minute presentation on a topic of their choice, focusing on using body language, voice modulation, and appearance techniques discussed in the lesson.
- Pair: Have students pair up and present to each other. Encourage them to observe and note specific techniques their partner uses effectively.
- Share: Facilitate a class discussion where pairs share observations. Highlight effective techniques and provide constructive feedback.
- Reflect: Ask students to reflect on their own presentation. What worked well? What could be improved?
- Revise: Allow time for students to revise their presentations based on feedback and reflection. Encourage them to focus on enhancing engagement through the techniques practiced.
Independent practice
- Exercise: Direct students to practice a related exercise on engaging presentation skills.
- Observation: Circulate throughout the class to observe students as they work and provide support as needed.
Assignment
Ask these questions:
- What is one body language technique you can use to engage your audience?
- How can voice modulation enhance a presentation?
- What’s one question you still have from today’s lesson?
Suggested answers:
- Suggested answer to Question 1: Leaning forward slightly to create a sense of connection.
- Suggested answer to Question 2: Varying tone and pace to maintain listener interest.
Teacher resources
Differentiation guide
- Advanced learners: Encourage them to explore advanced techniques in voice modulation, such as experimenting with pauses and inflections to convey emotion. Suggest they analyze a complex presentation and identify nuanced techniques used by the presenter. Challenge them to incorporate these into their own presentations.
- Striving learners: Simplify the lesson by focusing on one technique at a time. Start with body language, then move to voice modulation, and finally appearance. Provide clear, step-by-step instructions and examples. Pair them with a peer mentor for additional support during practice sessions.
- Background reading: This lesson plan is based on the article ‘The art of engaging viewers and listeners‘ which we recommend trainers read before adapting this lesson outline for their own purposes.
Notable definitions
- Body language: The use of physical behaviour, expressions, and mannerisms to communicate nonverbally, often used to enhance engagement with an audience.
- Voice modulation: The act of varying one’s voice in terms of tone, pitch, and pace to maintain listener interest and convey emotion effectively.
- Chroma key: A visual effects technique for layering two images or video streams together based on colour hues, commonly used in TV and film to create backgrounds.
Required materials
- Video clips of well-known presenters
- Audio clips of radio hosts
- Paper and pens for note-taking
- Access to a computer or device for online exercises
- Optional: Makeup kit for demonstration (if applicable)
Lesson summary
- Warm-up
- Direct instruction
- Guided practice
- Independent practice
- Assignment
The free teaching tools at the Khan Academy were used in the production of this lesson plan.
