A soundbyte, or soundbite, is a brief, prominent remark or statement excerpted from audio or video footage for insertion in a broadcast, usually a news story. Soundbytes are usually selected from longer speeches or interviews, and represent main points, themes, or key ideas and the overall essence. Frequently, soundbytes are used in commercials for news stories or movies to capture the attention of an audience. Soundbytes serve as excellent sources for quotes.
Soundbytes have been effectively used since the late 1900's, and have become recognized as an important and effective communications tool for audio and video media. Publicists for politicians and other prominent persons frequently deliver speeches with multiple intentional soundbytes, because they and their publicists know the media is more likely to air them. Some prominent media persons, such as Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Mary McGrory, have expressed dislike for a politician's excessive use of soundbytes during political speeches.
Soundbytes do not solely come from political speeches or interviews with prominent persons. Soundbytes are frequently used from speeches and interviews with regular people, and from movies or books.
Because a soundbyte is a small clip of a larger statement, interview, or speech, editors and members of the media can easily manipulate meanings and implications-as is sometimes parodied on movies and television shows-therefore the use of soundbytes in a video or audio program requires professional ethics.
Using Soundbytes
The use of soundbytes requires tact and careful selection for full effect. When choosing soundbytes, media normally look for:
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