Audio and Audiovisual Texts (VCE SSCE English): Revision Notes

Audio and audiovisual texts

Introduction to audio and audiovisual texts

In recent decades, persuasive audio and audiovisual texts have become increasingly common as mainstream media has moved online. These texts are powerful tools for shaping audience responses and presenting particular viewpoints.

Audio texts focus primarily on the spoken word and include:

• Talkback radio programs
• Speeches
• Podcasts

In audio texts, speakers harness the full range of vocal qualities—such as volume, pitch, tone, and pace—to reinforce their message and enhance the impact of their language. Additional sound elements like music and sound effects also play crucial roles in positioning listeners to respond in particular ways.

Audiovisual texts combine audio elements with still and moving images. These include:

• Television news and current affairs programs
• Video segments on online platforms (such as YouTube)
• Videos embedded in websites and online articles

Audiovisual texts use visual elements like 'talking heads', live footage, and archival video alongside spoken, written, and visual language. Hosts and panels can further influence audience thoughts and feelings about issues through their presentation.

Television news and current affairs

Television news and current affairs programs typically feature newsreaders, programme presenters, or panels in the studio, combined with compelling live and recorded video content. These elements work together to present information and viewpoints on current events whilst positioning audiences towards particular interpretations.

Key differences between news and current affairs

Whilst current affairs segments usually present a clear point of view on an issue, news segments generally aim for greater impartiality. However, even news stories often suggest a particular response as 'normal' and shape audience reactions through their presentation choices.

Analysing the studio elements

When analysing television news and current affairs programs, consider these visual and aural elements:

The set The newsreader, presenter, or panel typically sits behind or stands beside a desk. This formal arrangement suggests authority, professionalism, and credibility. It positions these individuals as trustworthy sources of information.

The backdrop Placed behind the newsreader or presenter, the backdrop provides visual context. Consider what colours or images appear and what mood they create. Does the backdrop (which may change throughout the programme) enhance the presentation of particular stories?

Light, colour, and sound Lighting can be dim or bright, creating different moods. A colourful, busy set might suggest a lively, dynamic environment, whilst a limited colour palette conveys calm focus. The signature music also reveals the programme's approach—is it dramatic, urgent, measured, or reassuring?

Newsreaders, presenters, and guests Their manner conveys their attitude towards the subject. Elements like clothing, makeup, age, voice, and body language all contribute to the message being presented and affect how audiences perceive their credibility and trustworthiness.

Analysing video segments

Video segments are integral to storytelling and presenting points of view in news and current affairs programmes. Live or recorded footage can make viewers feel they're witnessing events as they happen. However, both footage and stories are carefully selected and edited. This is especially true of packaged stories, like those on programmes such as The Project or A Current Affair, which blend commentary, testimonials, and footage together.

Talking heads and eyewitness accounts Experts, spokespeople, and eyewitnesses interviewed by journalists are selected to give stories credibility and authenticity. Consider whose viewpoints are sought and how much time is given to alternative perspectives. Do the journalist's questions suggest a particular line of argument? Is expert opinion included, and if not, why?

Location footage Images of event locations give stories a strong sense of immediacy and truthfulness. When reporters appear at the scene, the story's credibility is enhanced, especially with supporting eyewitness accounts. If reporter commentary accompanies this footage, it strongly influences audience response to and interpretation of the images.

Editing Various elements of video segments are deliberately selected, combined, and sequenced to present information and perspectives in particular ways. Consider how the segment begins and ends. What's the balance between the reporter, experts, and eyewitnesses or others affected by the issue? Have important perspectives or facts been omitted?

Sound This includes aspects of speakers' voices (especially tone, which conveys emotions and attitudes), as well as sound effects and music. Are there sound effects that create a stronger sense of realism or enhance emotional aspects of the story? If music is used, consider why that particular piece was chosen and what effect it creates.

Radio programmes

Like television productions, radio programmes involve careful selection and editing of stories. However, radio talkback programmes are an exception—they're broadcast live and feature unprepared, unscripted conversations between radio presenters and listeners who call in to express their views. Many radio presenters, particularly talkback hosts, also openly express their own opinions on issues being discussed.

Key questions for analysing radio programmes

When listening to a radio programme, consider these questions (obtaining a transcript can help you better understand the audio content):

Whose viewpoint is being presented? Are any significant voices missing from the story? For example, a programme about increasing the pension age might feature economists and current pensioners, but not younger people who will eventually be affected by changes to the law.

Does the presenter convey or openly express a point of view? If so, how? What effect does this have on the listener? Be aware that presenters sometimes 'play devil's advocate', taking the opposite view to their caller or guest to challenge and test their argument. In doing this, the presenter isn't necessarily expressing their own personal view or trying to shut down the discussion.

Is the presenter open to hearing alternative points of view? For example, on talkback programmes, do they welcome different perspectives from callers, or do they seek to impose their own view on others in the discussion?

What persuasive techniques are used? Do speakers use techniques such as analogies, anecdotes, repetition, rhetorical questions, or emotive language? Are there attacks on individuals or groups? Are there interviews with experts or people affected by the issue?

What sounds (other than speech) can be heard? Are there sound effects (such as background sounds from a reporter's location in a news report)? Is music used to create a particular mood?

Paralinguistic elements in audio texts

When listening to audio texts, it's important to realise that some meanings are conveyed by paralinguistic elements. These are non-verbal elements that convey attitudes and emotions and have a range of effects.

Intonation Intonation is the variation in pitch (the note of the voice) as someone talks. Speakers vary their pitch depending on the response they seek from their audience. For example, a higher pitch can add emphasis to a rhetorical question, whilst a lower pitch can underscore that a particular argument is serious and should be carefully considered.

Pace Pace is the speed at which a person speaks. Speakers often vary their pace throughout a discussion to emphasise certain points. A speaker might slow their pace to highlight a key word or concept, or increase their pace to create a sense of urgency or alarm.

Pauses Pauses are breaks in the flow of speech or conversation. Intentional breaks are often used immediately after a speaker states an important point, giving the listener time to consider what has been said. When used sparingly and at appropriate moments, pauses help listeners recall particular arguments after the conclusion of a speech.

Rhythm Rhythm is a strong, regular, repeated pattern of sounds. Created through a regular pattern of stresses, a steady rhythm in speech conveys confidence and certainty, encouraging listeners to view the speaker's argument as strong and well-founded. A steady rhythm also helps listeners follow the speaker's ideas more easily.

Stress or emphasis Stress or emphasis refers to how forcefully or loudly certain words, or parts of words, are said. Stress can emphasise important words and give extra weight to repeated words. This encourages listeners to give more attention to these terms and reflect on why they're so important to the speaker's argument.

Tone Tone is the mood or feeling created by word choices, delivery, and other persuasive techniques. Tone helps convey the writer's attitude towards the topic and can evoke a specific emotional response from the listener. For example, an urgent tone might position listeners to be fearful and want immediate action on the issue.

Volume Volume refers to how loudly a person speaks. Speakers often increase their volume to emphasise an important point, making the audience regard this point as worthy of consideration. Contrastingly, a speaker might speak quietly to encourage the audience to listen more closely, or in conjunction with a calm, reassuring tone.

Podcasts

Although they're a relatively new form of audio content, podcasts have grown rapidly in popularity over the last decade. There are now podcasts on almost every subject imaginable, and many are persuasive in nature.

Key elements to analyse in podcasts

When analysing podcasts that present a point of view on an issue, consider these key elements:

Speakers Is there only one speaker, such as the regular presenter, or are there also guests, such as experts, eyewitnesses, or concerned parties? If there are guests, how do the various speakers interact with one another—are they friendly or adversarial?

Speech What tone of voice do the speakers use? Does the tone shift at any point and, if so, why? Consider pacing and volume—do these shift at key moments? For example, does the speech become louder and faster to evoke excitement, or softer and slower to create a sense of anticipation?

Music What atmosphere is created by the choice of music? If there are lyrics, do they communicate a particular message? Does the music complement or contrast with the spoken content of the podcast?

Sound effects Are sound effects used to create a mood, convey a sense of realism, or evoke a particular emotion in the listener? Are they used as a backdrop to the spoken content, or do they function on their own to tell a story?

Continuity Does the episode stand alone, or does it need to be considered in relation to the rest of the series?

Websites

Audio and audiovisual elements are often embedded in web pages, helping to increase both user engagement and the persuasive impact of the website. They often work as an addition to, or in conjunction with, written text. Commonly, creators upload standalone videos to video-sharing platforms such as YouTube.

Analysing videos on websites

When analysing videos that appear on websites or video-sharing platforms, consider these elements:

The speakers Speakers are carefully selected to support the video's purpose. For example, an expert might lend credibility to the discussion, whilst an 'everyday person' might play a more emotional role that viewers can relate to.

Clothes and settings Formal clothing and professional settings (such as a university backdrop) highlight professional stature and the importance of an issue. Casual clothing and home settings reinforce a relatable, 'everyman' role that viewers can connect with personally.

Written text Given the limited amount of written text in most videos, any text a creator chooses to include carries additional weight. Statistics, key messages, or calls to action presented in written form are positioned as particularly important facts or conclusions.

Call to action Videos often end with a direct appeal to viewers to take specific action. The speaker's tone during this appeal, their eye contact with the camera, and their body language all work to persuade viewers to follow through.

Website address URLs appearing at the conclusion of videos prompt viewers to visit websites for more information or to take action, extending the persuasive impact beyond the video itself.

Speeches

Speakers can use a range of techniques to convince an audience to agree with their point of view. The main aural and visual elements enhance the presentation of an argument.

Three main elements of speech delivery

Voice Speakers use volume, pace, tone, pitch, and intonation to convey emotions and attitudes. For example, they may talk loudly and emphatically to attack an idea or point of view, or they may speak in a calm tone to suggest they're arguing logically and rationally.

Body language and facial expressions A thump on the lectern can communicate conviction or anger, whilst two raised hands can communicate pride or victory. Facial expressions convey attitudes and emotions. Looking directly at the audience strengthens the connection between speaker and audience.

Appearance Clothes, hairstyles, and personal props can all impact the audience and help generate an impression of the speaker and their beliefs. For example, wearing a suit conveys seriousness and authority, whilst casual clothes might reflect the speaker's opposition to authority or establishment figures. Logos and slogans on a speaker's clothing, as well as the colour of their clothes, can convey ideas, beliefs, and attitudes.

Common persuasive language devices in speeches

Speakers tend to use certain persuasive language devices to position their audience and to present their arguments in ways that are easy for listeners to follow and remember. Common examples include:

• Humour and anecdote
• Inclusive language
• Repetition
• Rhetorical questions

Example: Analysing Greta Thunberg's speech

Remember!