Scribd
Upload
169 views

Writing A Script For The Radio

Writing for radio requires concise scripts that provide all essential information in a way listeners can easily understand from a single listening. Radio scripts must have a strong introduction to engage listeners, present main facts and details in a logical order, and conclude by summarizing key points. Additionally, radio writing differs from other mediums because listeners hear information once at the speaker's pace and often multitask, so scripts must account for this by clearly signposting different parts of the story.

Uploaded by

NK8
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
169 views

Writing A Script For The Radio

Writing for radio requires concise scripts that provide all essential information in a way listeners can easily understand from a single listening. Radio scripts must have a strong introduction to engage listeners, present main facts and details in a logical order, and conclude by summarizing key points. Additionally, radio writing differs from other mediums because listeners hear information once at the speaker's pace and often multitask, so scripts must account for this by clearly signposting different parts of the story.

Uploaded by

NK8
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 19

Writing for radio(script)

The Radio Script


refers to the
written material,
which indicates the
verbal and non-
verbal action that
has to go into a
radio program.
Cont.…..
When writing a script for the radio, you should always
bear one thing in mind: you are writing for listeners –
not for readers. The listeners will only hear your text
once and they will have to understand it immediately.
Cont.…..
Readers of a newspaper or an online
article can read sentences that they do not
understand two or three times. They can
even look up unfamiliar words in the
dictionary.
Cont.…..
In radio, however, the speed at which the
listeners have to assess the information is
determined by the speaker. And everyone
has to listen to everything.
Radio texts have to be well presented,
logically structured and easy to
understand.
Differences between reading and
listening
Reading
Reading is a primary activity. When we
read, we do not do anything else at the
same time. We only concentrate on the
text.
Readers can read an article at any time
they like.
Cont……
Readers can re-read information they do
not understand.
Readers can determine how fast they read
and when to take a break.
Readers see how long an article is and can
decide whether they want to read the
whole text. While reading, they always
know how much more there is
Cont….
Listening
Listening to the radio is frequently a
secondary activity. We often do something
else simultaneously (drive a car, prepare a
meal, etc). We do not concentrate 100%
on what is being said.
Cont.…..
Listening
Listening to the radio is frequently a
secondary activity. We often do something
else simultaneously (drive a car, prepare a
meal, etc). We do not concentrate 100%
on what is being said.
Cont.…..
Listening to the radio depends on the
broadcast times.
Listeners only hear information once.
Listeners have to follow the speed of the
speaker or radio journalist. If they stop
listening for a moment, they miss pieces
of information
Cont.….
Listeners can not tell how long a piece on
the radio will be. They never know what
comes next in the report.
The structure of a radio script
The fact that everything spoken on the
radio can only be heard once and
therefore needs to be understood
immediately also has an effect on the
structure of the script. Imagine you have
to take your listeners by the hand and lead
them through the topic – on a straight
path, without wandering off to the right or
left.
. Strong introduction
Always start with a strong opening, which
catches the listeners’ attention, motivates
their interest and makes them want to hear
more about this topic.
A slow, boring introduction will make
listeners switch off and turn their attention
to other things.
Cont…..
The Main facts and questions:
. Details:
Background information:
Summary/Conclusion
Cont.….
The intro
The body of a piece
Some common words to describe parts
of a story
How to write a radio news script

The script is what makes sense of the


sounds. It is the framework for your story.
It brings together the most important
elements, and helps your audience
understand the significance of the points
made by the people you have interviewed.
Cont…..
Use the script to introduce the audio
The script should offer the audience
introductions to the audio you are
including. It should tell the listener what’s
coming up without repeating the words
they are about to hear
Cont…..
Grab the attention of the audience
The most important information must
feature in the first few sentences.
Cont…..
Your opinions don’t matter
Your script should be factual, without
comment. Don’t try to attract listeners by
including your own emotions. That’s not
your job. Those who listen to your radio
package will make their own decisions
about the power of the information you
are broadcasting.
Cont.…..
Deliver a complete and fair report
Your script should weave together all the
elements you have gathered for your story
without suggesting that any one is more
important than the other; that’s for the
audience to decide, not you. You have a
responsibility to set out the information in
a way that doesn’t mislead.

You might also like