Video Responses

Ira Glass: The Building Blocks to an Audio Story

1. Anecdote
An anecdote is a sequence of actions, showing that one thing leads into another. What makes an anecdote unique is it can make even the most dry, boring storylines something worth listening to. The sequencing of events adds an element of suspense and you're almost anticipating what's to come.
Manipulate listeners into wanting to hear more about your story. Raise some questions about your topic, and make them wonder what's to come. Outline your storyline with questions to guide listeners along the way, and answer those questions gradually throughout your story.

2. Reflection
The reflection serves as the reason behind the story, and gives you an answer as to why you may be listening to the story. It also gives meaning behind the anecdote, which in turn makes for a great storyline. A good story flips between the anecdote and reflection, expressing a cause and effect type of pattern.

Arc/Progression of a Radio Lab Podcast

     To start, Abumrad and Krulwich begin in a place of absolute unknowing. They typically are not familiar with the topics they deal with, which serves as almost a prerequisite for a position in this field. They even end in a place of absolute unknowing as well. They describe their arc as going from not a lot of knowledge, to a little bit of knowledge, and then back to not a lot of knowledge. They see success as not being able to remember the knowledge presented to listeners, except for one or two minor details of the entire podcast.

This American Life and RadioLab Podcasts

    After listening to 10 minutes of both podcasts, it became evident to me the similarities and differences that these podcasts have. Within the first few seconds of each one, there was an immediate contrast. The RadioLab podcast started with a very futuristic, computer-like noise that made you want to listen on. It also began with a advertisement shoutout for a company that I'm guessing sponsors RadioLab. This American Life began with Ira Glass introducing himself, what the show was, and their topic of discussion, which was an introduction that I was expecting from a podcast. There was no fancy music, no futuristic undertones, it was simple and to the point. The tone of both podcasts contrasted, as well. RadioLab was much more upbeat and lively, and seemed more relaxed. This American Life was much more serious and monotone, and I didn't feel compelled to listen on simply because I got bored.
     Both of these podcasts shared a very factual, to the point approach through their podcasts. They focused on the topic at hand, and addressed the facts in an anecdotal manner, making you wonder what was going to be said next. What I also enjoyed about these podcasts is that because you weren't able to see these people and only listen, both podcasts relayed the information in a conversational style, making it easy for listeners to connect with them.