7.1 Writing for Television and Radio News
4 min read•august 13, 2024
Broadcast journalism demands a unique writing style tailored for the ear, not the eye. TV and radio news require concise, conversational language that grabs attention quickly and keeps audiences engaged.
Writers must adapt print techniques for broadcast, using shorter sentences, active voice, and simplified numbers. Compelling leads, smooth transitions, and a flexible story structure help create impactful news pieces for television and radio audiences.
News Writing for Broadcast
Adapting Print Style for Broadcast Media
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- Broadcast news writing uses shorter sentences and paragraphs compared to print
- Typically aims for 20 words or less per sentence
- Aids in readability and comprehension for listeners
- Active voice is preferred in broadcast writing
- Clearly conveys who is doing the action in a story
- Passive voice can sound awkward and convoluted when read aloud
- Broadcast news stories use more conversational language and wording compared to print stories
- Includes using contractions (isn't, we'll)
- Avoids jargon or complex terminology
Simplifying Numbers and Pronunciation for Broadcast
- Numbers and statistics should be rounded and simplified in broadcast copy
- Makes them easier for viewers and listeners to quickly grasp
- Exact numbers are less critical compared to overall scale and trends
- Example: "nearly 1,000" instead of "978"
- Broadcast news writing relies heavily on phonetics
- Avoids words that may be hard to pronounce
- Steers clear of words that could be misinterpreted by the anchor or audience
- Example: using "fatal" instead of "lethal"
- Sentence structure in broadcast writing should be simple and direct
- Uses subject-verb-object construction
- Avoids dependent clauses when possible
Engaging Leads and Transitions
Crafting Attention-Grabbing Lead-Ins
- Lead-ins for broadcast stories, sometimes called the "intro," need to grab the audience's attention right away
- Makes them want to keep listening or watching
- Often only around 25 words
- Broadcast lead-ins focus on the most interesting, impactful, or newsworthy element of the story
- Draws in the audience
- Contrasts with print leads that may start with a broader summary
- Lead-ins often incorporate engaging elements
- Action words
- Vivid descriptions
- Powerful soundbites or quotes
- Example: "In a stunning revelation today, emails show the mayor knew about the scandal for months, according to sources."
Smooth Transitions Between Story Elements
- Transitions between different elements of a broadcast story need to be smooth and logical
- Keeps the audience engaged
- Elements include lead-in, package, and tag
- Reporters and anchors may use various techniques to transition between parts of a story
- Questions
- References to previous stories
- Teases for upcoming information
- Example: "But first, let's go to Sara who is live at the scene. Sara, what have you learned?"
- Transitions in a broadcast script can incorporate natural segues
- References to related topics or themes
- Shows the relationship between different stories in a newscast
Broadcast Story Structure
Adapting the Inverted Pyramid for Broadcast
- The structure used in print news is less rigid in broadcast
- Focuses on the most newsworthy and engaging information at the top
- Allows more flexibility for storytelling and creativeness
- Broadcast stories are typically much shorter than print articles
- Television packages often run 1:00 to 1:30 minutes
- Radio stories around 40-50 seconds
- Requires tight, efficient writing
Television vs. Radio Story Formats
- Television news stories are structured around the interplay of anchor lead-ins and reporter packages
- Lead-in sets up the story and hands off to a pre-produced reporter segment
- Includes interviews and visuals
- Anchor tag usually follows the reporter package
- May include additional information or final thoughts
- Typically runs 25-30 seconds
- Lead-in sets up the story and hands off to a pre-produced reporter segment
- Radio news stories often follow a set structure
- Anchor lead-in
- or audio clip
- Short story
- Tag or transition to the next story
- Radio stories rely heavily on descriptive writing and natural sound
- Paints a picture and transports listeners
- No visuals are available
- Soundbites from interviews are a key structural element in broadcast stories
- Writing is crafted around these moments
- Provides context and tells a compelling narrative
Concise Broadcast Copy
Tight Focus and Simple Language
- Broadcast news writing should be tightly focused
- Avoids tangents or excessive details that distract from the main point
- Every sentence should serve to advance the narrative
- Simple language is critical in broadcast writing
- Ensures all viewers can follow along
- Means defining or explaining jargon, acronyms, or complex terms
- Example: "The CDC, or Centers for Disease Control, issued new guidelines today..."
Conversational Tone and Flow
- Conversational writing techniques engage the audience
- Uses second-person pronouns like "you" and "your"
- Speaks directly to the audience
- Makes stories more relatable on a personal level
- Sentence fragments, questions, and other techniques that mirror natural speech are often used
- Reflects a more casual, conversational tone compared to print
- Makes the delivery sound authentic rather than stilted
- Example: "Ever wonder why your power bill is so high? We did too. So we asked the experts."
- Broadcast copy is written for the ear, not the eye
- Important to read scripts aloud
- Ensures the writing flows smoothly
- Makes it easily understandable for anchors and listeners
Key Terms to Review (17)
Accuracy: Accuracy refers to the precision and correctness of information presented in journalism. It's crucial because it ensures that news is reliable and trustworthy, impacting public perception and understanding. Accurate reporting is vital to uphold ethical standards and maintain credibility, as inaccuracies can lead to misinformation and damage the reputation of both journalists and their outlets.
Audio cues: Audio cues are sounds or auditory signals that provide context, emphasis, or direction in audio and visual media, enhancing the storytelling and audience engagement. They can include everything from background music and sound effects to voice inflections and pauses, all of which help to convey emotion, highlight important information, and maintain the listener's interest.
Audio transitions: Audio transitions refer to the smooth changes in sound that occur between different audio clips or segments within a news broadcast. These transitions are essential in radio and television news as they help maintain flow, enhance storytelling, and guide the audience through the audio experience without abrupt interruptions or jarring shifts.
Brevity: Brevity refers to the quality of being concise and succinct, especially in writing and speech. In the context of news reporting for television and radio, brevity is crucial as it allows reporters to convey information quickly and effectively, capturing the audience's attention while delivering key details. This quality is essential in fast-paced media environments where time is limited and clarity is paramount.
Clarity: Clarity in news reporting refers to the quality of being easily understood, ensuring that information is presented in a straightforward and precise manner. It is crucial for effectively conveying messages to the audience, making it easier for them to grasp complex stories or concepts. Clear writing helps maintain reader engagement and ensures that important facts are communicated without confusion.
Conversational style: Conversational style refers to a writing approach that mimics the natural rhythms and tones of spoken language, making it more relatable and engaging for the audience. This style typically uses simple vocabulary, short sentences, and a friendly tone, allowing the content to feel more personal and direct. It's especially important in media formats like television and radio news, where connection with the audience is key for effective communication.
Fairness: Fairness in journalism refers to the ethical obligation to present all sides of a story without bias, ensuring that coverage is balanced and impartial. It is essential for maintaining credibility and public trust, as it encourages journalists to provide accurate and equitable information that reflects diverse perspectives and voices.
Field package: A field package is a collection of video, audio, and other multimedia elements gathered on location to create a comprehensive news story for television or radio. This term connects to various aspects of news production, as it includes not just the raw footage but also sound bites, interviews, and visuals that enhance storytelling. Field packages are crucial for delivering engaging content that informs viewers while adhering to the standards of broadcast journalism.
Inverted Pyramid: The inverted pyramid is a journalistic writing style where the most important information is presented at the beginning of the story, followed by supporting details in descending order of importance. This structure helps readers quickly grasp the essential facts, making it particularly effective in news reporting where attention spans are short.
Listening habits: Listening habits refer to the patterns and styles of listening that individuals develop over time, which influence how effectively they receive and interpret audio content. These habits can significantly affect how audiences engage with news, especially in formats like television and radio, where clarity, pacing, and emphasis can make a big difference in conveying a story's message.
Live reporting: Live reporting is the act of delivering news coverage in real-time as events unfold, often through television or radio broadcasts. This type of reporting allows for immediate dissemination of information, giving audiences the latest updates on developing stories. It relies heavily on journalistic skills, quick thinking, and the ability to convey details accurately while managing the dynamic nature of live events.
News anchor: A news anchor is a journalist who presents news stories and provides commentary on current events, typically from a studio. They serve as the face of a news organization and are responsible for delivering the news in a clear, engaging manner while ensuring accuracy and credibility. Their role is crucial in shaping the public's perception of news through their writing, on-air presence, and ability to handle live reporting situations.
Reporter: A reporter is a journalist who gathers information, investigates stories, and presents news to the public through various media platforms. They play a critical role in shaping public understanding of events by interviewing sources, conducting research, and writing or broadcasting news content. Reporters must adhere to ethical standards and strive for accuracy, fairness, and balance in their reporting.
Soundbite: A soundbite is a short, catchy excerpt from a speech or interview that is designed to capture the essence of the speaker's message in a memorable way. These snippets are particularly important in television and radio news, where brevity and impact are essential for engaging audiences quickly and effectively. The use of soundbites helps to convey key points of a story while allowing viewers or listeners to connect emotionally with the content.
Video scripts: Video scripts are written documents that outline the dialogue, narration, visuals, and actions for a video production, specifically tailored for news broadcasts. These scripts serve as the backbone of television and radio news stories, ensuring that all necessary information is presented clearly and effectively. A well-crafted video script helps reporters communicate their messages while also keeping the audience engaged through appropriate pacing and structure.
Viewer retention: Viewer retention refers to the ability of a television or radio news program to keep its audience engaged and watching or listening for an extended period. This concept is crucial in understanding how effectively a program delivers content that captures and maintains the attention of viewers or listeners, which can impact ratings, advertising revenue, and overall success.
Visual storytelling: Visual storytelling is the use of images, videos, and other visual elements to convey a narrative or message. It enhances the impact of a story by engaging viewers through visual means, making complex information more accessible and emotionally resonant. This technique is crucial in various media formats, as it combines text and visuals to create a more compelling and immersive experience.