On Air : Effective Announcing

By providing students with essential information regarding broadcast performance, On Air: Effective Announcing helps them develop the skills required to enter the field of professional announcing. The text also helps students understand how the study of broadcast performance fits within the larger framework of communication studies. 

The book begins with an overview of the professional practice of announcing and an exploration of essential principles of effective communication. Later chapters help the reader prepare for on-air performance. The book provides valuable advice regarding what to expect on set, how to prepare for live broadcast performance, how to make on-air communication meaningful and memorable, and more. Additional chapters are dedicated to the development of a distinctive voice and effective speech practices, mastery of spoken English, and developing an understanding of sound and audio. The final chapter provides real-world strategies for breaking into the business and building a lasting career. 

Featuring voice exercises, opportunities for reflection, and a surplus of practical advice, On Air is well suited for introductory courses in broadcast performance, media performance, and announcing.

Philip Thompsen is a professor in the Department of Communication and Media at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Prior to his academic career, he worked for many years as a professional broadcast announcer. Dr. Thompsen is an active member of the Broadcast Education Association and previously served as chair of the association’s Student Media Advisor division. He has advised numerous student media organizations, including radio, television, newspapers, and online media. His scholarship has been published in a variety of formats, including book chapters, journal articles, conference proceedings, convention papers, panel presentations, and various online resources. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Utah.