Present tense

Definition

Present tense is a grammatical form used to describe actions or states that are currently happening or are habitual. It is crucial in script writing for broadcast news as it creates a sense of immediacy and relevance, making the information feel current and engaging to the audience. Using present tense helps convey breaking news or ongoing events effectively, ensuring that viewers understand the urgency of the information being presented.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Using present tense in news scripts helps to create a sense of urgency, allowing viewers to connect with events as they unfold.
2. Present tense is often preferred in headlines to make them more dynamic and engaging for the audience.
3. Writers must be careful to maintain consistency in verb tense throughout a script to avoid confusing viewers.
4. In addition to conveying ongoing actions, present tense can also express general truths or facts relevant to the news being reported.
5. The use of present tense is particularly important in live broadcasts, where quick delivery and clarity are essential.

Review Questions

• How does the use of present tense affect the viewer's perception of news stories?
  • The use of present tense significantly enhances the viewer's perception of news stories by creating a sense of immediacy and relevance. When reporters use present tense, it makes the events feel like they are happening right now, which captures the audience's attention and emphasizes the urgency of the information. This connection helps viewers engage more deeply with the content and understand its importance.
• Discuss the importance of maintaining consistent verb tense in broadcast news scripts and its impact on audience comprehension.
  • Maintaining consistent verb tense in broadcast news scripts is crucial because it ensures clarity and helps the audience follow the narrative smoothly. When writers switch between tenses, it can confuse viewers and disrupt their understanding of timelines. Consistency reinforces the immediacy of present tense while grounding any historical context within past tenses when necessary, ultimately enhancing overall comprehension.
• Evaluate how the choice between present and past tense might change the narrative style in broadcast news reporting.
  • The choice between present and past tense can dramatically alter the narrative style in broadcast news reporting. Present tense creates a dynamic, immediate feel that immerses viewers in ongoing events, making them feel part of the story as it unfolds. In contrast, past tense provides a reflective quality, often used for summarizing events that have already occurred. This shift influences how audiences connect emotionally with the content; present tense fosters urgency while past tense lends itself to analysis and context.

Related terms

Active voice: A sentence structure where the subject performs the action, making the writing clearer and more direct.

Broadcast journalism: A field of journalism focused on delivering news through electronic media, including television and radio.

Script formatting: The specific layout and structure used in writing scripts for broadcast news to ensure clarity and ease of reading on-air.