Notes on broadcast writing

Writing for broadcast must be more conversational. It is written to be read aloud.

Tell the news through people:

Find a problem, find a person dealing with the problem and tell us how he or she is doing.

Immediacy

Use the present tense as much as possible.

Use simple, short sentences, written with transitive verbs. Transitive verbs do thing to things.

Avoid contracting ‘not’ use: not guilty. But don’t use: isn’t guilty.

Avoid slang and incorrect grammar. Avoid vulgar and off-color expressions. (Remember your audience.)

Listeners are often given just the bare facts.

Don’t look for synonyms. Don’t be afraid to repeat words.

Repeat proper nouns rather than use pronouns.

Avoid using dependent clauses. Use independent clauses.

Keep the subject close to the verb.

Don’t barrage the listener with a series of numbers.

Answer questions, but don’t ask them.

Words and pictures should be complimentary, never interfering with each other.

At the beginning of the scene or when a scene changes, you must tell the viewer where you are or what is happening.

Titles should precede names to better prepare the listener to hear the name.

Know how to pronounce words and proper names.

Lima, Newark,

Campbell

Rarely use direct quotations and quotation marks.

Use: he put it this way or in his words.