Broadcast Commentary & Announcing
- Social Sciences
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 105 pages
- 30 units
This course is designed for communication students, providing detailed knowledge in writing broadcast commentaries and understanding broadcast announcing. Students will learn different types of broadcast commentaries, differentiate them, and grasp the rudiments of broadcast programme announcing. The course exposes students to broadcasting basics before delving into commentaries and announcing, equipping them with skills for radio and television.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, practical
- Practical work
- Yes
- Self Assessment Exercises
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of MAC444, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
MAC444 · UNIT 2 CLASSIFICATION OF THE BROADCAST MEDIA CONTENTS
This means that broadcast programmes are meant for the reception of everyone in the society. It is not meant for private use or for private persons. Even in instances where a broadcast station is owned by a private individual, its operation must be made available for the general public.
What you should be able to do
- Write different types of broadcast commentaries.
- Perform announcing duties in radio and television.
- Understand the principles of voice modulation.
- Operate studio equipment effectively.
- Analyze and interpret broadcast copies.
- Apply ethical considerations in broadcasting.
What it prepares you for
- Radio Announcer
- Television Presenter
- Broadcast Journalist
- Commentator
- Media Producer
- Radio Broadcasting
- Television Broadcasting
- Online Media
- Journalism
- Public Relations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: The Broadcast Announcer
Unit 2: Attributes of an Announcer
Understanding the nuances of microphone techniques and vocal modulation requires extensive practice and self-awareness.
- Module 4: The Basic Of Announcing
Unit 3: How Voice is Produced
Requires understanding the complex interplay of breath control, vocal cord vibration, and resonance to achieve desired vocal qualities.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 68 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Starting Point: Overview of Broadcasting
Unit 1: Meaning of Broadcasting · 3 hours
Read the unit content to understand the various definitions of broadcasting.. Identify and understand the five variables of broadcasting.. Note the inherent features in the definitions of broadcasting..
Unit 2: Classification of the Broadcast Media · 3 hours
Study the classification of broadcast media.. Identify the characteristics of radio, television, and the internet.. Compare and contrast the features of each medium..
- Week 2Module 1: Starting Point: Overview of Broadcasting
Unit 3: Attributes of the Broadcast Media · 3 hours
Understand the principles of facsimile technology and transduction.. Differentiate between analogue and digital signals.. Explain oscillation, wave form, frequency, and amplitude..
Unit 4: Limitations of Broadcasting · 3 hours
Identify and understand the economic, creative, and personnel limitations of broadcasting.. Analyze coverage and audience limitations.. Examine limitations by regulation..
- Week 3Module 1: Starting Point: Overview of Broadcasting
Unit 5: Types of Broadcasting · 4 hours
Understand electromagnetic waves and modulation.. Differentiate between amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) broadcasting.. Examine ownership forms in the broadcast industry..
- Week 4Module 2: Broadcasting Commentary
Unit 1: Defining the Broadcast Commentary · 3 hours
Understand the meaning of a broadcast commentary.. Identify the proper way to define broadcast commentary.. Differentiate between a commentator and a sponsored commentary..
Unit 2: Types of Commentaries · 3 hours
Differentiate between news and sports commentaries.. Identify different types of news commentaries.. Understand the hints for sports commentators..
- Week 5Module 2: Broadcasting Commentary
Unit 3: Sources of Materials for Commentaries · 4 hours
Learn how to source materials for writing broadcast commentaries.. Identify where to look for materials for writing broadcast commentaries.. Practice generating information through interviews and observations..
- Week 6Module 2: Broadcasting Commentary
Unit 4: Writing the Broadcast Commentary · 4 hours
Understand the stages involved in writing commentaries.. Learn the structure of a commentary.. Analyze a broadcast commentary sample..
- Week 7Module 2: Broadcasting Commentary
Unit 5: Elements of Style in Writing Commentaries · 4 hours
Understand the elements of style in broadcast commentaries.. Identify different types of style.. Note the points to consider in broadcast commentary writing..
- Week 8Module 3: The Broadcast Announcer
Unit 1: Who is an Announcer · 3 hours
Describe who a broadcast announcer is.. Understand the announcer's role as a town crier.. Identify the responsibilities of announcers..
Unit 2: Attributes of an Announcer · 3 hours
Identify the attributes of an announcer.. Understand the training needed by announcers.. Practice articulation and microphone techniques..
- Week 9Module 3: The Broadcast Announcer
Unit 3: Skills of an Announcer · 4 hours
Learn the basic skills of an announcer.. Consider the different requirements for becoming an announcer.. Analyze personal talents and capabilities..
- Week 10Module 3: The Broadcast Announcer
Unit 4: Understanding the Announcer's Copy · 4 hours
Understand what a copy is in broadcasting.. Learn what to do when given a copy.. Practice interpreting and analyzing broadcast copies..
- Week 11Module 3: The Broadcast Announcer
Unit 5: Announcer's presentation tips. · 4 hours
Review NBC presentation tips.. Identify manners to avoid while on air.. Practice effective presentation techniques..
- Week 12Module 4: The Basic Of Announcing
Unit 1: How the Voice Works · 4 hours
Understand how the human voice works.. Learn how to maintain the voice.. Practice vocal exercises and techniques..
Unit 2: Understanding the Vocal Anatomy · 4 hours
Study the vocal anatomy.. Understand problems with voice quality.. Identify causes and solutions for voice problems..
- Week 13Module 4: The Basic Of Announcing
Unit 3: How Voice is Produced · 4 hours
Understand how voice is produced.. Differentiate between voice and speech.. Identify and solve problems associated with vocal delivery..
Unit 4: Evaluating the Voice and Speech · 4 hours
Learn how to evaluate voice and speech.. Understand the steps in speech preparation.. Practice using voice effectively..
Preparing for the exam
- Review definitions of broadcasting and commentary from Unit 1 Module 1 and Unit 1 Module 2.
- Practice writing different types of commentaries (Module 2) and analyze sample scripts.
- Master microphone techniques (Unit 2 Module 3) and vocal exercises (Unit 1 Module 4).
- Study the NBC presentation tips (Unit 5 Module 3) and apply them in practice sessions.
- Understand the differences between radio and television announcing (Module 5) and practice ad-libbing.
- Create concept maps linking Module 4 vocal anatomy to Module 5 radio/television announcing techniques.
Questions students ask about this course
What is MAC444 about?
This course is designed for communication students, providing detailed knowledge in writing broadcast commentaries and understanding broadcast announcing. Students will learn different types of broadcast commentaries, differentiate them, and grasp the rudiments of broadcast programme announcing. The course exposes students to broadcasting basics before delving into commentaries and announcing, equipping them with skills for radio and television.
How many units does MAC444 have?
MAC444, Broadcast Commentary & Announcing, has 30 units across 5 modules, over 105 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is MAC444?
MAC444 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Social Sciences.
Is MAC444 hard?
MAC444 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does MAC444 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 30 units.
How is MAC444 assessed?
MAC444 is assessed by Self Assessment Exercises, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with MAC444?
Radio Announcer, Television Presenter, Broadcast Journalist, Commentator and Media Producer.