By Joanne Stevens, Stevens Media Consulting LTD

I sometimes imagine how speech and language were first invented and used by cavemen.  (I promise I'll research this and get back to you).  Maybe a certain grunt, like 'ug' meant 'hairy mammoth' and 'wee' meant 'run,' or 'running.'  I figure it all started with single words, perhaps some nouns and verbs, then expanded into adjectives, adverbs and maybe a few prepositions.

Jumping ahead to 2011 we think we're pretty sophisticated when it comes to sharing information orally but the caveman in us often tries to take over  when we 'attempt to do voice overs.' I can probably attribute about 30 percent of my work to the wackiness that ensues. I've seen smart reporters not get hired, get warned that their tracking needs improvement or become so crazed with 'trying to do it right' that they become all-consumed and  forget how they normally talk all day long. 

Before we go further, please understand that there is no one 'right way' to track a specific sentence. The 'right way' is the natural way not the histrionic 50's 'broadcast voice' that had its place 60 years ago. If I close my eyes I shouldn't be able to distinguish between your stand up and your tracking.

Tip: Cognitive Chunks

I referred briefly to cognitive chunks in blog number eight.  Here's an easy way to approach your voice-overs.  It's also a good fix for those of you who have to ask 'how would you say it?' 

Look at the words in a sentence and ask yourself 'what's going on here?'  Your answer should be as long as possible.  Most sentences should comprise just one chunk or two. 

Example 1: "The alleged attack on a 32-year-old female maid at a midtown hotel occurred on Saturday."  It should be seen and heard as one 'cognitive chunk' and spoken as such.  If your inclination is to go caveman on us, eg. pause/emphasize  'attack' or 'maid' or 'hotel,' you're in trouble. 

Example 2:  "Strauss Kahn remains in custody until an 11 a.m. hearing in Manhattan criminal court."  This could be one big chunk: or you might see it as two chunks: with 'in Manhattan criminal court' serving as secondary information.  It's up to you.

Example 3: "The meeting will take place as officials discuss increasing a $155 billion loan package to Greece amid concerns the country may be unable to finance its debt next year." Here you'd most likely see two chunks. 

A Common Liability: Unnecessary Pausing

It reminds me of the lurching that occurs when we first learn how to drive a standard shift.  It's life interrupted.  By putting in pauses because you think they should be there, or because you think it sounds professional, you're doing the same thing to our ears.  We lose the pull and the flow that keep us listening to your information.  

Solution: trust your innate use of communication and semantics and trust your cognitive chunks.  I play a game with my clients. I ask them to say a certain sentence without pausing at all. They look at me like I'm crazy and  as if I have asked them to do the impossible.  The result is always an eye-opener.  One's brain takes over and will naturally insert tiny hesitations. I call them 'touch-go pauses' as needed.   

Here's a one chunk sentence: If you read it aloud don't plan any pauses. I bet you'll hear yourself going the touch-go route. 

"Trump is the second Republican in a matter of days to say no to a bid for the GOP nomination."

Summary

See your information as a series of cognitive chunks and send each one out firmly from your stomach. Each chunk is unique and each chunk may have implications. Enter the world of each chunk.  If you know your story the innuendo and interpretation will naturally come out.  And no orchestrated pauses!  They'll occur naturally.  But when in doubt, leave them out.