JINGLE: This is 鶹Լ radio one.
TINA DAHELEY:Being a journalist for Radio 1 newsbeat means I have to get up really, really early. The breakfast show starts at 6:00am, my alarm goes off at 5:00. Not good.
NICK GRIMSHAW:9:30 on 鶹Լ Radio One, let's get the news with Tina Daheley.
TINA DAHELEY:Victims are being let down, criminal cases are being shelved and suspects left untracked. That's according to a new report by the police watchdog. Radio One Newsbeat, it's 9:33.
TINA DAHELEY:Today I'm writing a radio news report about Donald Trump's inauguration concert. This was a massive party that happened the day before he became president. We'll show you.
TINA DAHELEY:There was lots going on and of course if this was TV news I could use that video clip in my report but radio journalists can't do that.
TINA DAHELEY:Instead we use descriptive language to bring our stories to life. We need to paint a picture with words, help listeners visualise the story in their minds.
TINA DAHELEY:So, I've written, "In Washington, tens of thousands of people gathered to celebrate Donald Trump becoming president."
TINA DAHELEY:This is very literal language. I've explained what happened but the language hasn't captured the mood of the event. I think I can do better so I'm going to rewrite this sentence using figurative language.
TINA DAHELEY:'Figurative language refers to language that is used metaphorically. 'This type of language doesn't literally describe what's happening, 'instead it can be used to capture a feeling or atmosphere.'
TINA DAHELEY:OK so I've written this, "Last night Washington was the stage for an historic celebration. Tens of thousands of people crammed into the US capital as fireworks painted the night sky red, white and blue."
TINA DAHELEY:Now obviously Washington wasn't literally a stage 'The word stage here is a metaphor, it represents something else. 'In this case it tells us that there was a big show taking place.
TINA DAHELEY:'Similarly, the fireworks didn't literally paint the sky. 'This is an example of personification. 'A metaphor that gives human qualities to an inanimate object.
TINA DAHELEY:'Using figurative language helps build up a picture for the listener. 'I've also used the word crammed.
TINA DAHELEY:'This is a dynamic verb, it tells us that the event was really popular, 'lots of people actively wanted to be there.
TINA DAHELEY:'Describing words are also really useful in radio news.
TINA DAHELEY:'Generally adjectives describe nouns and adverbs describe verbs.'
CAPTION:Adjectives describe nouns Adverbs describe verbs
TINA DAHELEY:So I've written, "President Trump spoke to the crowd. This is OK but how did the president speak?
TINA DAHELEY:Quietly, loudly, gently, angrily? Including an adverb can help describe the scene in more detail.
TINA DAHELEY:I'm going to try "passionately." "President Trump spoke passionately to the crowd."
TINA DAHELEY:This works well because the adverb tells us the president delivered an animated lively speech.
TINA DAHELEY:We can also use an adjective to describe the crowd, Were they bored, entertained, happy, sad?
TINA DAHELEY:The adjective "enthusiastic" tells us that the crowd liked and approved of what the president said.
TINA DAHELEY:Of course, radio news doesn't just use journalist's words to tell the story.
TINA DAHELEY:We use background sounds. For example, the sound of crowds cheering Donald Trump could be useful in my news report.
TINA DAHELEY:Words from people in the news story are also really important. Soundbites are usually a short clip of someone speaking.
TINA DAHELEY:They can be part of an interview, a Vox pop or speech.
DONALD TRUMP:We're going to make America great for all of our people, everybody.
TINA DAHELEY:And on newsbeat, we even use music which helps grab the listeners' attention.
JINGLE: Newsbeat.
TINA DAHELEY:Last night Washington was the stage for an historic celebration. Tens of thousands of people crammed into the US capital as fireworks painted the night sky red, white and blue.
TINA DAHELEY:President Trump spoke passionately to the enthusiastic crowd.
DONALD TRUMP:We're going to make great for all of our people.
TINA DAHELEY:Of course not all radio news uses language in the same way. Different radio stations are aimed at different types of people
TINA DAHELEY:and so they use language and words that are appropriate for their target audiences.
TINA DAHELEY:For example, Radio One's target audience are teenagers and people in their 20s. Radio One aims to entertain but also grab your attention so the language we use is quite conversational and direct.
TINA DAHELEY:We talk to you, the way you might talk to your friends. Listen to how President Trump's election win was reported here on Newsbeat.
PRESENTER:'You've discussed it, you've seen the posts online 'but be honest did you really expect this to be today's headline?'
ANNOUNCER:'Ladies and gentlemen the next president of the United States - 'Donald Trump.'
TINA DAHELEY:The presenter says "Be honest." This is a really conversational way to speak. He then references online posts. He knows the internet and social media are really important to young people.
ANNOUNCER:'Did you really expect this to be today's headline?'
TINA DAHELEY:Using the word "you" in this way is an example of direct address. The presenter is talking directly to the audience.
TINA DAHELEY:He's asking a question. The listeners are encouraged to respond and take part in a discussion.
TINA DAHELEY:OK, so now let's listen to how radio 4 reported the same story.
RADIO PRESENTER:'Donald Trump's supporters are celebrating his astonishing victory 'in the US presidential election.'
TINA DAHELEY:Radio 4 is aimed at people who want in-depth news coverage. The language is formal and there's no music. This is news presented in a serious way.
TINA DAHELEY:There's no direct address, the news reader doesn't pose a question, this isn't a conversation with the listener.
TINA DAHELEY:So, we've heard how different radio stations use language differently.
TINA DAHELEY:'News is presented in a way that's appropriate for the audience. 'Description is really important in radio news.
TINA DAHELEY:'The listener can't see what's going on so we use 'figurative language, 'metaphors, adjectives and adverbs 'to help bring our news stories 'to life.'
TINA DAHELEY:Right, I'm off to get some sleep. See you soon.
Tina Daheley explains how metaphor, personification and dynamic verbs can bring a news story to life.
She explores the impact of music, sound bytes and voice on a radio audience.
She also highlights how language is used for specific audiences.
The conversational and direct language used on Radio 1’s Newsbeat is examined and compared with the same news story treatment on Radio 4.
The language of the two newsreaders is compared to demonstrate how audience is appealed to.
The clip will support students in their understanding of purpose and audience as well as helping them to write to inform and explain.
This clip is from the series Making the News.
Teacher Notes
You could give students a lead story from a print newspaper and ask them to adapt the story for a Radio 1 Newsbeat audience, thinking about how they would adapt language.
Listen to a Radio 4 news bulletin and ask students to choose one story to rewrite for a younger audience.
They could write a script and record their radio news item.
Listen to a Radio 1 Newsround bulletin and ask students to note down examples of informal and conversational language used by the reporter.
Curriculum Notes
This series is relevant for teaching English and Media Studies at Key Stage 3 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and at Level 3 in Scotland.