IndexCodes and conventionsCodesWords and voicesSounds and silencesMusic and atmosphereSpeechConventionsAural cuesCliffhangersCodes and conventionsRadio drama is an ancient but still very real format for storytelling, in which imagination takes on a much more important role during the performance. Nowadays, radio plays are listened to mostly by upper-middle class people, usually older people. In 2011, BBC Radio 4 (famous for being talk only) achieved listening figures of over 11 million people. Radio 4 is also the second largest radio station in the UK. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayCodesWords and VoicesWords and voices are the key to successful radio drama; there is no other way to capture the audience's attention and therefore the drama must use the words and voices of the drama. Since there are no images for the audience to follow, they must use audio to guide them and give them structure so they can follow the story, when producing a radio drama making sure the voice suits the character and that the words they say they fit the accent. For example, in the radio drama “An Everyday Story of Afghan Folk,” actors from the Middle East were chosen to provide the voices of the characters. This works because their accents will really help the audience imagine the location of the show. Sound and silence Sound and silence are useful tools if used correctly but can be dangerous if used incorrectly. What I mean by this is that if your silence goes on too long, the listener may be tempted to change the channel or may think the drama is over. Alternatively, silence can be used as a way to mark the end of a scene and/or to clarify a break in dialogue. Music and atmosphere Music and atmosphere fall into a similar use when compared to television drama; music is used to set the tone and atmosphere of a scene. If the scene is romantic, the music might be warm and/or sensual. If the scene is action-packed, the music might be dramatic. A good example of music used dramatically would be Jeff Wayne's musical version of War of the Worlds, based on the novel by HG Wells. The music is predominantly orchestral, giving the drama a decent range of sounds and a very diverse soundtrack. Speech is the last radio drama code I've seen, and it's simply the way words are spoken. Changes in the pitch, tone and volume of the voice can have great effects on the quality of the drama. Obviously, you don't want your speech to be too loud or too quiet, otherwise the listener wouldn't be able to feel the atmosphere or wouldn't be able to hear the dialogue. In any case, you should make sure that the audio is balanced correctly. Conventions Auditory Cues Auditory cues are a popular convention of radio drama; is the use of ambient sound to tell the audience where they are. This is the equivalent (in TV and film) of using a sign, it is used because the audience feels as if they are actually being transported to the desired location. If you were to close your eyes while listening to a radio drama with good auditory cues, you should be able to easily see yourself in place. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Cliffhanger Most of the time in radio dramas they end with a cliffhanger to convince the listener to tune into the next episode. If the drama can make the listener identify with it.