Codes and

conventions of radio
dramas
Codes, Conventions, Styles and Structures
Codes
Words:
Words are used within radio dramas to inform the audience or listeners of information about the character or plot of the drama. This
information can help push the narrative forward so that the narrative progresses. A common example of this is when names are used
in the dialogue of a character to help the listeners distinguish the characters apart. For example, at the (00:28) of the audio it is said
Oh, Im Sorry Debbie. By using a name it can help the audience to recognise the character later on within the drama and also
makes them seem more realistic.
Words are used in a different way in The Blind Mans Confession. Whereas in the archers, they are used to give information such as
character names, or qualities, they are also used for descriptive purposed to add atmosphere and make the scene more vivid and the
story more dramatic. For example at (01:44) the narrator and character describes the scene and his point of view as thick, black,
rain soaked forest.
Voices:
Words can not always be used to help distinguish characters to the audience, as it may hider the content of the story and sound
disjointed to the listener. Because of this, many characters have different voices with accents and have different genders within the
same scene. This is so that the audience can distinguish the difference between the characters and the part they play within the plot.
For example, within the scene at (00.28) two new characters are introduced to the character Debbie. One character is called
Elizabeth. This character has a strong accent that is distinguishable against Debbies. The audience can also assume the social class
of her character as it is often associated with Southern England and the middle class society.
In The Archers there are multiple characters within an episode, so it is important for different voices to be used for them to help the
audience clarify and understand who is speaking and the plot. This is not as much of an issue within A Blind Mans Confession
because only three characters that speak. These characters are easily recognisable from each other from their delivery and speech.
The 3rd character has a very brief role, but distinguishable by the huskier tone that the character has at (08:01).
Codes
Speech:
Similar to to the use of voices, directors also use speech to help inform the audience of information without using words. This is
done by the voice actors as well as the directors, who decide how the script should be presented, using the tone or volume. For
example within scene (03:38) the character Linda is presented. Her character uses volume and tone to convey her role as a
director within the pantomime, by giving the order is a loud and commanding way, the audience gains an idea of her role within
the drama and the hierarchy.
Where as speech is used in the Archers to provide information, in A Blind Mans Confession a narrator is used for that
purpose. Speech is used for as a way of adding emotion and atmosphere to the show. For example, at (07:05) the actor uses an
emotional almost shaky tone of voice to tell the audience that the character is scared, and too add drama and tension to the
show.
Sounds
As a radio dramas can not use visual objects to tell the story, they must rely on other methods specifically sounds. These
sounds are usually diegetic and are used to create a soundscape. This can help the audience to picture the characters, stories,
movements or settings. For example, at (06:44) of the drama, the sound of applause can be heard by the listener, this informs
them that there are multiple people within the scene, as well as they appreciated the pantomime.
Sounds are used for the same purpose in A Blind Mans Confession as within The Archers. They are used to give the audience
information about what is happening within the show, event though A Blind Mans Confession has a narrator, the drama still
uses sound effects for the same purpose of each other meaning there are less, and are less important. For example, at (01:31)
the sound effect of a large crash is heard. This is used as a form of story telling, telling the listener about an action within the
plot. Not only does it do this, but is also ads atmosphere as all music is cut before that more, making the drama more realistic.
Codes
Ambience
Ambience is different to sound effects. The ambience within radio dramas sets the scene within the story such as
background noise. For example, at (02:23) of The Archers, the scene is introduced with the sound effect of hammering
which becomes quieter as the dialogue is introduced. This is also accompanied by the quiet murmuring of people. This
gives the listener information such as the setting without using words and without increasing the duration of the frame,
as well as making it more realistic.
This is similar to how ambience is used within A Blind Mans Confession. In A Blind Mans Confession, sounds are used
to inform the audience about, the setting but create tension and atmosphere. For example at (08:27) the noise of a rain
and thunder can be heard, this gives the audience information about the conditions and sets the scene. This not only
helps the audience picture the story, and make it more realistic, in adds tension to the story making it more dramatic
and engaging the listener more. This is because the storm is used as an example of pathetic fallacy, where the whether
reflects the story and plot, meaning that the audience associates the thunder and lightning with fear and darkness.
Music
This scene also includes the use of music as a form of ambience and to set the scene of the pantomime rehearsal. But
the main use of the music within the drama is as theme music. Theme music is used in radio dramas introduce the the
drama, and helps the audience recognize the program as the music would be automatically associate with the drama.
The archers theme music plays at (00.07) and at (12:43). The music is used to establish the type of show to the
audience as it a positive, rural music. It is also used to signify the end of the drama to the audience.
Hardly any music is used within A Blind Mans Confession except at the beginning of the drama. At (00:50) rock music
can be heard. Because of fast tempo of the music it reflects the description and actions within the scene of the biker as
he speeds down the road. This add tension and atmosphere to the story, accompanying the story.
Codes
Silence

Silence are often used in dramas as a way to add suspense, but are mainly used in The Archers to
change the scene. At (02:21) the audio of the scene between Debbie and her father fades out to silence
for roughly 2 seconds before fading back into the next scene of the pantomime. This indicates to the
viewer that the not only has the scene changed but also the characters and the setting.

The silences are used within A Blind Mans Confession as a way of adding suspense, rather than
changing the scene. Although a short silence is used at (10:55) as a way of showing the change of the
scene, the silences are mostly used as a way of showing the passing of time. For example, at (09:33)
the silence is used to tell the audience that the character has gone unconscious, by showing their
perspective. This technique puts the listener in the characters perspective, and makes the listener
engage with the drama.
Conventions
Characteristics

Characteristics are often used is radio dramas to help the audience differentiate between character and help recognize
them and their actions within the plot. These characteristics can be physical or can be a characters personality. For
example, at (00:42) the character Debbie uses the words gender panic when speaking to her father. This gives the
audience information about the personality and traits, and helps the audience establish the characters in their minds.

In The Archers words are used as way of showing the characteristics, through how what they do and what they say. In A
Blind Mans Confession, the audience is informed about the character through the words of the narrator, and the speech of
the characters. For example, at (05:18) a new character is introduced. This character immediately seems sinister because
of the tone and volume that the actor speaks in.
Aural Signposting

Aural signposting is used to establish the setting of the scene through audio cues. This is different to ambience or sound
effects as an aural signpost signifies that an event or action is about to happen within the drama, rather than happening
within that moment. For example at (03:48) within The Archers the sound of a door opening is heard within the
background of the dialogue. This is an aural signpost for the character Brian (Debbies father) entering this scene at
(04:04), 16 seconds after the aural signpost that signified the entrance of the character from the first scene of the drama.

There are very few aural signposts within A Blind Mans Confession because of the way the story is told. Because A Blind
Mans Confession has a narrator, that is retelling the event from his point of view in the future, the narrator often gives
information about the plot before it happens. Although at (07:43) of the story, the sound of a car driving fades in, telling
the audience that a new character is about to be introduced. This is similar to how it. is used within The Archers.
Conventions
Cliff Hanger Ending
A cliff hanger ending is an unresolved plot or story that is most commonly used in series. This is because it causes a sudden and
dramatic ending that leaves the audience be viewer asking questions which can only be answered by listening to another episode
of the radio drama. It encourages the audience to listen to their drama to increase or sustain viewer rates. For example, the
character Elizabeth uses her tone of voice and words at (12:37) making the audience suspicious and ask question about the
relationship between Elizabeth, Richard and Debbie.
As A Blind Mans Confession is a single drama, the cliff hanger ending is not as important. Although a cliff hanger ending can be
used for an open ended drama, they are mostly used in drama series, as a way of encouraging the audience to watch or listen to
the next episode. Because A Blind Mans Confession is a single drama, a cliff hanger ending is not used. But rather a closed
ending.
Use Of Fades
Fades are used within radio dramas for the same purpose as silence to inform the audience that a scene is changing. Fades are
used for this purpose and to make the transition of sound smoother and more appealing to the listener rather that making the
transition sudden and disjointed. Fades can also be used to balance the difference between dialogue and ambience. For example
at (02:19) the dialogue of the first scene ends, leaving the ambience which fades to silence before the ambience of the second
scene fades in and the dialogue starts for the second scene, showing the change of scene and characters smoothly and simply.
Fades are used within A Blind Mans Confession for the same purpose as The Archers. They are used to show the change of
scene but also the passing of time. Similar to how the drama uses silences, fades are used at (09:33) to tell the audience that the
character has gone unconscious, in a smooth progressive way, so that is doesn'tt seem sudden. Equally fades are used at (09:37)
to show the tell the audience that the character was regaining consciousness.
Conventions
Chronological Development

The Archers is a chronological drama, meaning that the plot and scenes of the drama happen is the order of
time. A chronological drama has a linear narrative, meaning that it does not have flash backs or flash
forwards, changing the time in which the scenes where changed. This helps the audience understand and
follow the plot, and the order of the scenes. This also means that the audience finds it easier to listen and
engage with the story. The Archers also has a wider development when it shows the link between the time
the drama was aired and in the dialogue of the drama itself. At (08:09) the character Debbie says So how
has Christmas been?, linking to the time in the drama was aired between Christmas and New Years Eve.

A Blind Mans Confession, could be considered chronological, because the plot and scenes happen in the
order of time. Although, the story is also told through the narration of the main character. Because of the
phrases used such as the only thing I didn't account for was the other car at (01:21). The narrator is
speaking in first person, but is also speaking in past tense. This immediately tells the audience that the
narrator is the character from after the event, meaning the drama could be considered a non-linear narrative.
Titles & Credits

Titles are used at the beginning and sometimes end, of a radio drama for a similar purpose as theme music.
They are used to introduce the drama to the audience to help them recognize the radio drama in the future,
and to keep the audience interested for when the program airs. For example at the beginning of the drama at
(00.02) the continuity editor reads you are listening to Tuesdays episode of The Archers, from BBC Radio 4.
This informs the listener of the drama title and its channel for future reference.
Conventions
Narration

A narration is when a person gives a spoken account the narrative of a story. The narrator can either be a
character who recounts the events of the story, or is used to describe events, emotions, or appearances that
otherwise have no other role in the drama. Narrators are often used within radio dramas, and are often the
main character. These narrations can be the characters internal dialogue or told from a future perspective.
They are good techniques in radio dramas as they there is no visual aspects available, so the audience must
rely on audio stimuli, such as sound effects, ambience and speech to set the scene, and tell the story. The
Archers does not use a narrator within their radio drama, but uses the characters speech and other
techniques to tell the story.

A Blind Mans Confession uses a narrator form the beginning of the radio drama. At (00:40) of the radio
drama, the narration begins. This is evident from the words and tenses used in the characters dialogue.
Although sound effects, and music are used, the character describes the actions, emotions and thought on
what is happening within the story. This evident when the character say It all started when a car careened
down a black swift road one late October night. My pulse quickened as I skidded around each corner. Each
time gripping a little less, losing a little more control. This dialogue is told from first point of view, from the
use of I and talks about the events of the story, that might not be possible, by using other story telling
devices.
Conventions
Direct Speech

Direct speech is a way of providing information to the audience through character speech. Often used in the dialogue
between two characters, direct speech is when a character speaks about an event, action or something that is
happening directly from their point of view. This is often how radio dramas that do not have narrator provide
information, and most speech between characters is direct speech. For example at (01:58) of The Archers the
character Debbie talks to her dad about events within the drama and says youve spoiled Christmas, alienated
Adam. Mums desperately upset about the whole situation, but its all worth it so that you can stand on a rock and
beat your chest. This dialogue provides information directly from the character speaking.

Another example of direct speech is in A Blind Mans Confession. At (06:16) the main character, who is speaking in
the form of a narration says I fought to utter a form of one last word of protest, but the next blow was cold steel
against my head. This we later find is when the character is retelling the event to another. This is another form of
direct speech, as the character is telling the event, directly from their perspective. This is evident from the first
person tense they use, and the constant use of I.
Flashbacks

Flashbacks are used within radio dramas to show a previous scene or moment that is happening in time. This sense
must have happened previously to when the narrator is talking or, the main scene is happening. If the scene jumps
forward in time, this is the opposite to a flashback, and is called a flash forward. This technique is used in radio
dramas, to provide the listener with information about previous scenes, moments or memories of the characters that
link to the narrative. No flashback are used within The Archers as the radio drama has a linear narrative that runs
with all scenes in the order of time.

Although A Blind Mans Confession could be considered to have flashback. This is because the main character is the
Styles
Target Market

When The Archers was first aired in the 1950s. The Archers was created as a way of broadcasting information to farmers
and smallholders to help increase production in the post-World War II years because of rationing and food shortages. Because
of this the target market was for the production was mainly for semi-skilled manual workers, and skilled manual occupations
within the C2 and D socio-economic groups. Although today, the target market for the drama, is a range from B to D is the
socio economic group. This is because of the content of the show, which is still based around village life, an the language and
terms used. For example, at (00.42) the character Debbie uses the words gender panic. This gives the impression of the
characters high level in education. A does the use of the Latin term sine qua non at (oo:35). The target market age group is
adults, this is because of the adult content such as the scene at (08:10) of the drama is set in a bar which is evident from the
soundscape, and speech such as chardonnay.

Likewise the target market of A Blind Mans Confession has the same adult target audience. This is because of the adult
content of the plot. For example, at (01:31) the sound of the a car crash can be heard due the character speeding. Not only
this, but at (08:32) a character is killed, evident from the use of a gun firing sound effect. These topic are dark and are
therefore not meant for a younger age, meaning that the drama, is most likely aimed at an adult target market.
Dramatic Reconstruction

Dramatic reconstruction is the retelling of a story using a dramatic forms such as actors, settings, audio or visual ideas.
These reconstructions can be based on real events or fictional events such as flashbacks. For example, this is often used in
radio dramas to retell the story from wither real events or within the story. This idea is used to make the scene for dramatic
and realistic. Audio from actors (speech) objects (sound effects), settings (ambience) are forms that are used for dramatic
reconstruction in radio drama. This technique is not used within the episode I analysed of The Archers, but as it is a series,
dramatic reconstruction may have been previously used.

Although it is not used in The Archers, dramatic reconstruction is used in the fictional form in A Blind Mans Confession. In
Styles
Drama Styles

The Archers is a tradition radio drama. This is not because of how long it has been aired for but because of the plot and the set up of
the story. The characteristics of a traditional drama is that the storyline is written with an exposition where the story is introduced
(00:35) Its all hands to the pump with the panto costumes; a conflict, problem or dilemma (03:23) What dress rehearsal? A sine
qua non of a dress rehearsal is some dresses and a resolution (07:47) howd the dress rehearsal go?.

A Blind Mans Confession is a post-modern drama. The post-modern style of radio drama is different to traditional dramas because
rather than giving the audience all the information so that they can address the questions raised within the plot, the story is told in a
way so that audience must answer the question themselves, and assume the actions of the characters. For example, at (09:04) the
plot changes, and narrator describes fires burning throughout me body and at (11:12) beauty is gone forever. Because of this
when audience is left answering questions about what has happen. Yet the answer is assumed due the the title of the drama.
Creation of Mood

In radio dramas, much like any drama, it is important to create a mood and to cause the audience to feel some form of emotion. This
can be done using different audio methods such as music, tone of voice or ambience. This is important as it makes the listener
engage in the drama, find an interest and therefore continue to listen to it, especially series dramas such as The Archers. For
example, tone of voice is used at (12:00) by the character Elizabeth. From her tone of voice when she delivers the line Tracy?
What? Roy and Tracy? and at (12:37) well their grown ups aren't they? They can do what they like. The lines are delivered with a
saddened tone and therefore help the audience to understand the characters emotions, and empathise with them, creating a
sorrowful mood.

A Blind Mans Confession uses the same technique as The Archers in the tone of voice of the main character at (04:54) when he
says I have a family. A girlfriend. Theyll miss me. The characters tone of voice shows how scared the character is, and builds
tension. But another method A Blind Mans Confession uses that is not used in the episode of The Archers is music. This
technique is used from the beginning of the drama. At (00:20) music fades in and the tone of the music is low, creating a dark
foreboding mood, that also builds tension in the audience that links to the horror styled plot.
Structures
Duration

The archers is typically a 15 minute long show, although the episode I analysed was 13 minutes and 21 seconds long. The
drama is this length so that the drama has enough air time to show the story arc an introduction, a dilemma or problem
and a resolution. As the drama is linear, it gives the audience creators enough time to show the chronological development
of the character within the story. Even more so, because The Archers is a series. This length also means that the episode
can be clear and consisted, by being straight to the point the viewer doesn't lose interest. This also means that air time,
and broadcasting costs are minimized since The Archers is a series.

Likewise, A Blind Mans Confession is a similar duration as the Archers of 12 minutes and 35 seconds. Post modern
dramas can range in duration from 10 minutes to an hour. A Blind Mans Confession is a stand alone drama, meaning it
that the drama had to have enough for a introduction and closed narrative, although because of the post modern style of
the dram, it meant the narrative could have an open end as many of the questions within the drama do not need to be
answered, but the drama does not have a cliff-hanger ending.
Narrative Structure

There are two main narrative structures to dramas, including radio dramas. These are the linear and non-linear structure.
The linear structure is when a plot runs from beginning to end with no flashback, and no scenes that change in time. The
Archers is an example of a radio drama with a linear structure. The drama has no flashbacks and runs with no disturbances
in the order of the plot. For example, at (03:11) the character Kenton says tonight at the bull. The scene later proceed to
The Bull at (07:02) showing the progress and structure of the drama.

Although A Blind Mans Confession could be considered to have a linear structure, it could also be considered to have a
non-linear structure. The narration of the character at (00:40) is told in the past tense, showing us that the event has
already happened from his point of view, which the audience later finds out at the end of the drama at (07:25).
Structures
Development of Plot

Most narratives use a basic plot structure that shows the development of the plot and the characters as it
progresses. This structure is the basic: beginning, middle, end structure. Otherwise knows as a exposition,
conflict, and resolution. For example, the exposition is when the plot or theme is introduced into the story. In
The Archers this is when that character Debbie says Its all hands to the pump with the panto costumes at
(00:35). The conflict is when a problem arises in the drama, that puts the character in a situation such as at
(03:23) What dress rehearsal? A sine qua non of a dress rehearsal is some dresses . Finally the plot has a
resolution, where the problem of dilemma is resolved. This happens in The Archers at (07:47) howd the
dress rehearsal go?. This shows the basic plot arc, which sometimes has a problem at the end or a cliff hanger
ending to entice the audience to come back for another episode.

This plot structure is also used in A Blind Mans Confession. The exposition is immediate with the drama, in the
form of a narrator. At (00:22) the character says He never told me his name. Ankle deep in mud. Blood
everywhere. Gun against my skull, and he couldnt extend the simple curtesy of introducing himself. This
introduced the pivotal ideas of the plot in an obvious manner with the use if Blood and gun. The conflict is
shown in the flashback that the narrator speaks of in the narration. This is shown at (03:33) when the character
says It was a fear just like I felt that next moment when somebody tapped me on the shoulder. This
introduces the conflict in the form of a villain, and danger. Finally the exposition is when the character is
blinded, but saved. Shown at (07:25) when the characters says And I woke up to the hard dry bed where I am
now. Because the drama is a single drama, no cliff hanger ending are used.