Analysis of an existing public service drama exploring the codes and conventions and use of sound - UNIT 14

When looking at radio 4, I have chosen to analyse the programme Woman's hour which is spilt up to 3 sections: Solitude, Apprentice winner of 2024, personal space, kids and smartphones. I am going to be analysing the 1st section: Solitude. 

Solitude

This part of the radio show is about talking about social media and how it is used to by 5-7 year olds. These problems are discussed by the presenter and the other audiences who voice their concerns about why social media and solitude is a bad thing for the younger generation. The target audience of this portion of the radio show is the parents and young adults to show them what is happening to the newer generation. This is shown at time code 03:22. This shows the presenter speaking to others about how they think children should or shouldn't have mobile phones and social media. This is shown through the way the presenter and guest speakers are speaking in. When looking at the narrative devices that are used in this episode, we can see that they are using backstory and information to back it up. This paints a picture for the audience to understand what is happening in the radio show. 

Evidence

When analysing this section of the radio show we can see that some elements are used. They are:

• Dialogue - Dialogue is used throughout the radio show from the beginning to the end. This is to allow the audience to be informed, educated and entertained about what the radio show is about. For example at 04:26, the presenter is talking to a guest speaker regarding social media. Here we can see how dialogue is used in a radio show. 
• One piece of music - The music is used at the beginning of the radio show at 00:00 to 00:05. This is to introduce the radio show and get the audience entertained about what they are about to listen to. 
• One sound effect - In this section of the radio programme there is not a sound effect. This is because this radio show is a podcast about solitude and how social media is good and bad for the younger generation. 
• Atmospheric sound - In this section of the radio programme there is not atmospheric sound. This is because this radio show is a podcast about solitude and how social media is good and bad for the younger generation. 

All of these sounds are presented in a way that allows the message of the radio show to attract a variety of different audiences. All these sounds work together so that the audience can understand what is happening in the radio show and what the people in the radio show are trying to portray. 

When looking at my radio show, I would like to use all of these sounds to build suspense for the audiences. Moreover, one idea I will be using is using the atmospheric and sound effects as I would like to use them more as they will be able to entertain the audience and ensure that they don't lose interest after a few minutes in my radio show. 

This is for Unit 14.