Prerequisites

• A university degree in media or a related field.
• At least one year of journalistic experience for participants with non-media academic backgrounds.

Course Description

Talk shows are a core pillar of television production, relying on thoughtful dialogue, informed perspectives, and skilled discussion management. This course offers participants an introduction to the world of television talk show presenting, with a focus on the presenter’s role as both interviewer and discussion facilitator. Through practical exercises, participants will learn how to manage conversations, conduct live interviews, and create meaningful dialogue with guests and audiences.

Course Objective

By the end of this course, participants will:
• Understand the nature of television talk shows and the role of the presenter as an interviewer and moderator.
• Analyze the elements of success in talk shows and distinguish between their different formats and editorial styles.
• Build and manage a coherent television dialogue in terms of preparation, question formulation, and logical flow of topics.
• Professionally manage live discussions, including handling guests, time, and unexpected situations.
• Effectively use presentation tools and on-screen presence to serve the dialogue’s content and enhance the presenter’s credibility.

Course Outline

• The working environment of TV talk shows:
- The collaborative workflow within a talk show.
- Roles of the production team (producer, director, researcher, presenter).
- The relationship between editorial preparation and on-air presentation.
- Criteria for guest selection and achieving balance in discussion.

• Understand the nature of talk shows:
- Characteristics and responsibilities of a talk show presenter.
- Professional differences between talk show presenting and news presenting.
- Types of talk shows (political, social, cultural, service-oriented).
- The role and forms of dialogue in television production.

• Build the talk show and craft questions:
- Structure of a talk show (introduction, main discussion, conclusion).
- The importance of the opening and its role in guiding the discussion.
- Build discussion outlines and their logical sequence.
- Tools and techniques for formulating effective questions.

• Manage live dialogue and sensitive situations:
- Time management techniques during dialogue.
- Conversational maneuvering without compromising professionalism.
- Handle interruptions, emotional reactions, and going off-topic.
- Correct conversational errors during live broadcasts.

• Talk show presentation and on-screen presence skills:
- Research and preparation as the foundation of a confident presence.
- Effective use of body language to support dialogue.
- Control of voice, tone, and rhythm during discussion.
- Build a professional on-screen image as a presenter.

Course Benefits

• A graduation certificate by Al Jazeera Media Institute.
• Training manual.