Enhanced podcasts allow for narration, visuals, music, and sound effects to be mixed in Apple’s program, GarageBand. The journey, in learning how to mix enhanced podcasts for ESL students enrolled in the paired Introduction to Visual Culture and English Developmental II class, was more important than the product produced. I learned skills that I can use in all of my classes.

• How to create interesting power point slides.
• How to use a Mac computer.
• How to mix music, with narration and visuals.
• How to organize computer files effectively.
• How to delete computer files for better organization.
• How computers can be networked to share information quickly and effectively in collaborative projects.

Speech writing and script writing skills were useful when writing the narration.  Writing an essay is different than writing a script for an enhanced podcast.  In particular, several suggestions come to mind:

• HOOK:  A motivating hook is necessary in the first sentence of the script.
• RHETORICAL DEVICES: Use of rhetorical devices such as parallel structure, repetition, and contrapuntal turn around add dramatic effect to the script.
• SENTENCE PATTERNS: Use short pithy sentences to make a point.  Use long compound, complex sentences to develop an idea or set a relaxed mood.
• PACE:  A series of short sentences create a fast pace.  A series of long sentences create lyrical, poetic verse.

Thinking of the voice as a musical instrument, starting in the diaphragm and ending outside of the mouth assists with enunciation and clarity in the recorded narration.  A few suggestions:

• UPTALK at the END of a SENTENCE:  When reading aloud, we were taught to lower our voices to signal the end of a sentence.  In broadcast journalism, the opposite is required.  The speaker “up talks” at the end of the sentence, so the viewer can hear the end of the sentence.  A good example is Tom Brokaw’s speech patterns as his deep baritone voice would be hard to understand if he lowered his voice at the end of a sentence.