Piece Comment

Review of Why Teens Drink


Chris' segment on teen drinking seems a bit opinionated and blunt in the first listening. There is quite a bit of information about why teens drink (socially, for example), and he does a good job of conveying that. However, the transitions between the tape and the narration by Chris seems rough around the edges.

The piece was very opinionated, and seemed to be especially harsh on the teenagers who provided the interviews. I felt as if the interviews were a bit too "cookie-cutter" and expected. There wasn't much surprise in this segment, and I felt as if I was hearing a public service announcement on why drinking is wrong, rather than the incentives behind drinking, and how teens weigh the benefits and costs of drinking, especially socially.

The narration was spot-on, though I don't think a narrator should interrupt an interviewee's clip of tape unless it's completely necessary. The subject matter is relevant, though it could have used a tie-in to current affairs, or a few scientific studies.

However, this piece was very informational, even if it is a bit weighted one way.