Voicing professional narrations Review this checklist before recording your voice-over:
t Practice reading your copy aloud : Listen to your words. They should sound
comfortable, conversational, and even informal.
t Avoid technical jargon : Tech-speak demands extra effort from your listeners,
and you might lose them.
t Use short sentences : If you find yourself stumbling over certain phrases,
rewrite them.
t Stress important words and phrases : As you review your copy, underline
important words. When you record your voice-over, you’ll want to give those
words extra emphasis with more volume and punch.
t Mark pauses : Mark logical breaks in narration with short parallel lines.
t Avoid overly smooth and constant pacing : Narration that lacks variation in
tone or pacing is characteristic of a scripted delivery. You don’t want to remind
viewers that this is TV. It should sound conversational, like real life.
t Punch up your voice : Do not slip into a dull, monotone voice. Add some zest
and enthusiasm to your narration.
t Practice : Record a couple of narrations and then listen to them. Most first-time
narrators mumble or swallow words. Have you made yourself clear?
t Don’t pop your p ’s and t ’s : As you say
p - and
t - words, you project a small blast
of wind. Avoid speaking directly into the microphone.
t Wear a headset : Hearing yourself helps you avoid popping
p ’s or speaking with
too much
sibilance (an overemphasis on the
s sound). It also helps minimize
room noise and other extraneous sounds.
