Mastering Broadcast Writing Techniques

1. Broadcast 1 Writing for Broadcast

2. Why is broadcast writing different? • Broadcast news and print news are different because of their intended audience. • Broadcast news must be written differently because - • Broadcast news is meant to be heard, not read. • Unlike print, which lasts forever, once words are spoken on a broadcast they are gone. • Broadcast news is meant for quick, up-to-the-date information, not detailed stories. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

3. Similarities • Both broadcast journalism and print journalism… • require background research. • emphasize similar news elements. • require good writers and spellers to be effective. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

4. Writing for a Listener • Broadcast journalists must think in terms of listener time. • People are often doing other activities while watching or listening to broadcast news. • Competing activities, audiences’ short attention spans, and the task of writing for the ear make broadcast writing challenging. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

5. Broadcast 1 Writing the story

6. Rewriting • A lot of broadcast newswriting involves rewriting. • Most broadcast news stories come from wire copy, news releases, scripts, and notes and must be rewritten. • It is very important to understand what you are rewriting. • If you don’t understand it, how will your audience? Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

7. Rewriting • To successfully rewrite a story for broadcast, follow these steps: • 1. Read the source copy a couple of times, then put it aside. • 2. Ask yourself the 6 major questions of jouralism – who? what? when? where? why? and how? – to make sure you understand the story. • 3. Retell the story to yourself or someone else IN YOUR OWN WORDS! Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

8. Rewriting • 4. Without looking back at the original, begin rewriting the story IN YOUR OWN WORDS! • Remember… • Don’t just rearrange words – make it your own. • Everyone else is using similar source material – you have to make your version of the story unique. • Your story doesn’t have to be better than the original, but it does have to be different. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

9. Short, Simple Sentences • When rewriting for broadcast, remember to keep sentences short and simple. • A good sentence in a broadcast story should be no more than 20 words. • Even though sentences should be short and simple, avoid “choppy” writing like “See Spot run. Spot runs fast.” • Create a conversational flow and rhythm to your writing. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

10. Short, Simple Sentences • Alternate short and long sentences. • Alternate simple, declarative sentences with sentences starting with and, but, or because. • The subject-verb-object format is best for broadcast writing. • Example: The boy caught the ball. • Example: The criminal robbed the bank. • Example: The hurricane destroyed the town. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

11. Short, Simple Sentences • Use skinny sentences! • Don’t “fatten” your sentences with excess words like adjectives and adverbs. • Let verbs give color to your writing. • Remember… • Broadcast writing is written for the ear, so it should sound like a conversation. • Simple sentences work best for broadcast. • Write the way you talk! Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

12. Brevity • Unlike print journalists, broadcast writers must deal with time constraints. • Aside from deadlines, most broadcast journalists must write their stories to fit a 30 second time slot. • In just a few seconds, you must tell the news, explain why it is news, and give as many important details as possible. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

13. Brevity • Although you must be brief, make sure you include all necessary detail. Don’t leave out essential information or distort the meaning of the story. • YOU have to be the editor – decide what is important for your audience and tell them. • Always ask WHY and include reasons for events and actions. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

14. Brevity • Remember… • You must tell a complex story in only a few seconds, so keep it short. • Include only necessary details. • Don’t leave out important information. • YOU must decide what is important for the audience to know. • Always ask WHY. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

15. Helping Listeners • Don’t cram sentences with several separate facts. • Most sentences should be limited to one single fact or image. • Take each story one step – or sentence – at a time. • Use a simple vocabulary – there is no room for “10-dollar” words in broadcasting. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

16. Helping Listeners Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

17. Helping Listeners • Remember… • Use only one main idea per sentence. • Take stories one sentence at a time. • Keep vocabulary simple – use “nickel and dime” words rather than “10-dollar” ones. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

18. Talk it Out • Remember that broadcast writing is meant to be heard. It often helps to say sentences out loud before writing them down. • After you have written your story, read it aloud and listen to how it sounds. • Stories should sound as if they are being told, not read. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

19. 10 Tips for Broadcast Writing • 1. Be original and tell stories in your own words, not the source’s. • 2. Use short sentences, but create a conversational flow. • 3. Use “skinny” sentences without many adverbs or adjectives. • 4. Be brief and concise. • 5. Only include important details, and be sure to include the WHY. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting

20. 10 Tips for Broadcast Writing • 6. Only use one major fact per sentence, and take stories one sentence at a time. • 7. Use simple vocabulary – there is no room for 10-dollar words in broadcast writing. • 8. Talk it out! Make sure everything sounds right. • 9. Make sure stories are easy for announcers to read. • 10. Think and write like you talk. Source - Reporting for the Media and Beginning Radio-TV Newswriting