Clean Delivery Isn't Enough

In my many years of coaching, too many anchors have taken any discussion about being passionate and descriptive in delivery to mean that they have carte blanche to say what they want. But I wasn't talking about crosstalk! (Especially talk that doesn't serve the viewer.) Rather, I was talking about bringing more expression and passion to the way they read a story.

Smooth, clean delivery - no mistakes, but no expression and no context - is just not enough. Viewers want and need expression and intonation that support the words, because that's what helps them hear and understand stories. It's the look on a reporter's face and the tone in their voice that helps viewers hear how urgent a fire is. It's good communication. To achieve that, it comes down to listening... truly listening.

Why does it always come down to listening? Reporters and anchors can make their delivery a lot more real by simply tuning in to - and really hearing -- the content that precedes and follows theirs. Like they do during breaking news.

Listening brings appropriate context and connection with the story. The delivery then, is descriptive and passionate. And being descriptive and passionate is compelling television.

-Laura Hernandez