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Broadcast News Writing Primer NEWS 485
Broadcast News Writing Primer NEWS 485
Broadcast Wri7ng
• In broadcast we write for the ear.
WHAT?
Broadcast Wri7ng
• Write for the ear and tell the story for the eyes
HOW?
Broadcast Wri7ng
• Ac7ve Voice
While police waited for the driver, they
ques7oned the witness.
Broadcast Wri7ng
• Ac7ve Voice
While police waited for the driver, they
ques7oned the witness.
Broadcast Wri7ng
• Ac7ve Voice
While police waited for the driver, they
ques7oned the witness.
Police ques7oned the witness while they waited
for the driver.
Broadcast Wri7ng
• Ac7ve Voice
While police waited for the driver, they
ques7oned the witness.
Police ques7oned the witness while they waited
for the driver.
Broadcast Wri7ng
• Ac7ve Voice
,
While police waited for the driver they
ques7oned the witness.
Police ques7oned the witness while they waited
for the driver.
Broadcast Wri7ng
• Avoid commas‐‐‐use short declara7ve
sentences ‐‐‐ one idea per sentence
• Be conversa7onal
• Write to the video, but don’t describe what
the video shows.
Broadcast Wri7ng
• Use present tense, but don’t belabor it.
• Don’t cram too much info into the lead. Not
necessary to get all 5 W’s and H in lead.
Broadcast Wri7ng
(Remember)
• YOU CAN ONLY TALK FOR AS LONG AS YOU
HAVE IMAGES
• IMAGES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Courtesy Jessica Grillanda
Broadcast Wri7ng
(Remember)
• DON’T SAY WHAT THE PICTURES DO, SAY
WHAT THEY DON’T
• REFER TO YOUR IMAGES
• BUT AVOID CLICHE
Courtesy Jessica Grillanda
Broadcast Wri7ng
(Remember)
• TIMING MATTERS
• SOMETIMES IT’S BETTER TO LET PICTURES
SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
• DON’T FORGET SOUND
Courtesy Jessica Grillanda
Broadcast Wri7ng
(Remember)
• BUT ABOVE ALL… YOU ARE DELIVERING THE
NEWS
*TELL THE STORY*
Courtesy Jessica Grillanda
Broadcast Wri7ng
(Script)
Natural Sound Package
Leave No Trace and the Smokies
Sago Mine Disaster
Arena League