9

Journalism (English)
Quarter 1 – Module 2:
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EVALUATING RADIO SCRIPTS

(FORMAT & CONTENT)

Journalism (English) 9
Journalism Learning Kit
Evaluating Radio Scripts (Format and Content)

Journalism (English) 9 1
Competency: Evaluate samples of radio scripts focusing on
format and content (SPJ9RSW-Id-9)
 First Edition, 2020

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Journalism (English) 9 2
Competency: Evaluate samples of radio scripts focusing on
format and content (SPJ9RSW-Id-9)
Evaluating Radio Scripts (Format and Content)

BEGIN

Journalism plays a vital role in our

society. Through journalism, people
become aware of what's currently
happening around the globe and keep
them up to date of the latest issues and
concerns of the humanity. One of the
critical roles of a journalist is mastering
the art of script writing.
Now, let us have a breakthrough in
evaluating samples of radio scripts
focusing on format and content for you to
gain knowledge in becoming a great
script writer.

TARGET

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. evaluate samples of radio scripts focusing on format and content.
(SPJ9RSW-Id-9)

TRY THIS

Directions: Identify whether the following statements are True or False. Write
your answers in your Journalism (English) 9 notebook.

1. Radio scripts are not literature. In radio, simplicity wins.

2. Listeners may already know what the ICRC (International Committee of
the Red Cross) is or what NGO (non-governmental Organization) stands
for yet an explanation for the abbreviation of these words in the script
should still be included.
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 3. Radio language should be very close to spoken language.
4. Radio is the medium for detailed figures and numbers.
5. Always start with a slow opening to catch the listeners’ attention, to
arouse their interest and to make them want to hear more about the
topic.
6. Longer sentences are encouraged in writing a script.
7. Radio language should be lively and it should be understood
immediately.
8. Base your manuscript on what words you understand.
9. Using descriptive words and expressions is essential for a radio script.
10. If possible, radio scripts should be written in the passive voice.

DO THIS

ACTIVITY 1: DESCRIBE IT!

Directions: Read and analyze the given radio script below. Describe the not good
and a better script. Do this in your Journalism (English) 9 notebook.
Not Good: Yesterday evening, PILLCO – following extensive negotiations –
confirmed that the residents of BIGTOWN, whose houses will be demolished
to make room for the new pharmaceutical factory, will receive financial
compensation.
Better: Residents of BIGTOWN are breathing a sigh of relief: everyone
whose house has to be torn down to make room for the new factory will get
financial compensation. PILLCO confirmed this last night. The decision was
made following extensive negotiations. 1

Description
Not so Good Introduction Better Introduction

1
Peter Hullen and Thorsten Karg, “Writing for Radio,” in Manual For Radio Journalists (Bonn, Germany: DW-Akademie, 2006),
pp. 22.
EXPLORE
2
E
 Awesome! You did a wonderful job
in providing possible answers in the first
activity. Now let us connect your responses
to the following questions. Write your
answers in your Journalism (English)
9notebook.

1.How do you find the first activity?

2.What do you need to consider in writing an introduction for a radio script?
3. Is it necessary to evaluate a script? Why?
4. How should a radio script be made?

KEEP THIS IN MIND

Well done! You have successfully made a

meaningful connection after answering the previous
activities. Now you are all set for the discussion about
evaluating samples of radio scripts focusing on format
and content.

Radio Script Content

Radio scripts are not literature. In radio, simplicity wins. Simple words, clear
short sentences and a logical structure are necessary to get information across.
Radio scripts should be informal, direct and polite. 2
Make short sentences
Research shows that listeners find it difficult to understand sentences having
more than 15 words. Using long sentences will make it difficult for listeners to
remember everything you say. Thus, writing for radio has to be direct to the point.
Repeat important terms
It will confuse listeners if you replace nouns or names with pronouns. It is
better to repeat the name or noun. This guarantees clarity and listeners will be able
to keep track of what they are listening.
Synonyms, foreign words and abbreviations

2
Peter Hullen and Thorsten Karg, “Writing for Radio,” in Manual For Radio Journalists (Bonn, Germany: DW-Akademie, 2006),
pp. 18.

3
 Avoid using synonyms because it will confuse the listeners. For example, if
you are writing a script about Iloilo City, do not use ‘former Queen City of the South’
because your listeners might not be familiar with it. The use of foreign words should
also be avoided. Always think whether the listeners would understand your words. If
you use abbreviations or acronyms in your script, you should say the full name or
explain the abbreviation at least once.
Numbers and figures
Radio is not the medium for detailed figures and numbers. If you have to
mention numbers or figures in your script, it is better to round the numbers off except
in the case of inflation or exchange rates, election results and wages.
Example:
Not Good: Mr. Cruz plans to donate 4.89 million pesos to charity.
Better: Mr. Cruz plans to donate almost 5 million pesos to charity.
Comparisons
When you talk about sizes, amounts or quantities of objects, it helps radio
listeners visualize what you are saying if you draw comparisons. If, for example, you
mention that a building site is ‘roughly the size of two football fields’, most listeners
will be able to visualize this better than if you tell them the size in square meters.
Example:
Not Good: The building site measures 1000 square meters.
Better: The building site is roughly the size of a football field.
Graphic language
Using descriptive words and expressions is essential for a radio script. Keep
in mind that your only tool to convey information to your listeners is the medium of
sound words. You cannot show them colorful pictures, like a television journalist
would. Describe to them what you see when you are reporting on location. But you
are also the listeners’ ears, nose and taste buds. Don’t just describe what something
looks like, explain what it smells, feels or tastes like as well.
Active verbs
Write your radio script in the active voice. This will make the script livelier and
not stiff. It also makes your sentences simpler. The passive voice often makes texts
sound like official announcements which sounds boring.
Examples:
Not Good: A contract between The Electric Company and city officials will be
signed later today.
Better: The Electric Company and city officials will sign a contract later today.

Quotes
When you are quoting what someone said in your script, your listeners cannot
see where you’ve put the quotation marks. Your listeners may find it difficult to
understand where the quote begins and where it ends. If the statement is a short and

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snappy one, you can say ‘quote’ and ‘end of quote’ at the beginning and at the end.
Otherwise it is better to change direct into indirect speech.
Example:
Indirect Speech: Electric Company president John Cruz said that the factory
would bring wealth and prosperity to the people.
Direct Quotation: Electric Company president John Cruz said – quote – This
factory will bring wealth and prosperity to the people – end of quote. 3
Radio Script Format
The content and structure are undeniably the most important factors to
consider in writing a radio script. However, if you want to get your message to your
listeners, it is also important to pay attention to how you present your piece. It’s
helpful if your script is easy to read. This will make a good and lively delivery.
Following a good script format will help you focus on the text and delivery instead of
battling with unnecessary obstacles of a poor script appearance. Here are some
helpful tips:
Only write on one side of the paper
Turning the pages of your script to read text on the reverse sides will make
your listeners hear the rustling of paper. This sound will distract them. You may also
get confused whether you’ve already read both sides of the paper. It will make things
easier if you just write on one side. You can then put each page aside once you have
read it and don’t have to look if there is anything written on the reverse side.
Define space between the lines and clear paragraphs
Generous space between the lines of your text will make it easier for you to
focus on the text while you are reading it on the air. 4 It will help you avoid stumbling
into the wrong line while reporting. Moreover, when you leave space between the
lines of your text, you can add notes like pronunciation and intonation marks.
Write legibly
When you go on air with a script that is difficult to read, you have to focus
mainly on deciphering the text. It may affect your pronunciation and intonation and
will make your delivery not lively. It’s very likely that you will stumble over certain
words or phrases that are hard to read. You will sound unprofessional and the
listeners’ attention will be diverted from the contents of your report.
Avoid words and expressions that are hard to pronounce
In writing, void words that you might stumble over later when you deliver the
news on the air. Choose a simpler word If you think you could have a problem
pronouncing it.

If you follow the mentioned guidelines, your radio script is already good both
in content and format. However, take note that you should read your script aloud a
3
Peter Hullen and Thorsten Karg, “Writing for Radio,” in Manual For Radio Journalists (Bonn, Germany: DW-Akademie, 2006),
pp. 24.
4
Peter Hullen and Thorsten Karg, “Writing for Radio,” in Manual For Radio Journalists (Bonn, Germany: DW-Akademie, 2006),
pp. 21.

5
number of times to make sure you find no words difficult to pronounce and whether
your report has the intended total length. You may also ask a colleague to go over
your script or to listen to you reading it aloud. Your colleague may give you feedback
on whether there are phrases or words that are hard to understand or do not make
sense. Once you are done with all of these, you are good to go on air.

SUM UP

You are almost done with this module. You

have familiarized yourself with evaluating samples
of radio scripts focusing on format and content.
Now, let’s recap important things you have learned.

Learning to evaluate radio scripts focusing on format and content is a

necessary skill to develop in radio script writing. Here are the important things to
remember in evaluating radio scripts. First, make sure that simple words, clear short
sentences and a logical structure is observed in the script. Next, important terms
should be repeated to guarantee clarity. Furthermore, abbreviations should be
explained for the purpose of clarity. For numbers and figures, it is usually better to
round the numbers off if this is possible without changing the information content of
the message. Descriptive words and expressions should also be given
considerations together with the use of active verbs, quotations.
For the outside appearance of a radio script or the format, do not forget to
write on one side of the paper only so your listeners will not hear you rustling the
pieces of paper. In addition, define a space between the lines and clear paragraphs
to make it easier for you to focus on the text while you are reading it on air. It is also
necessary to write the script legibly. Lastly, avoid words and expressions that are
hard to pronounce and do not forget to check the script before going on air.

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

ACTIVITY 2: BE A SCRIPT INSPECTOR!

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Directions: Evaluate the format and content of the radio news script below. Write five
sentences for your evaluation. Do this on your Journalism (English) 9
notebook.

INTRODUCTION:
Olivia: I’m Olivia, it’s 1 o’clock and here’s the latest island news.
*NEWS STAB*
FIRST STORY: (CUE AND VOICER)
Olivia: Police are continuing to investigate a burglary of three shops in Ventnor on
New Year’s Day. A 37 year old male has now been revealed to have been during the
attack on the High Street and has been hospitalized. 3 men have been arrested
following the incident, our reporter Frankie has more:
Frankie: At about two fifteen in the morning, local stores Wendy’s, Premier and the
former HSBC bank were broken into. A thirty seven year old male attempted to
protect the stores windows from being smashed and suffered a fractured skull and
several other injuries to his head. Hampshire Police have arrested a seventeen-year-
old boy and an eighteen-year-old man from Ventnor, as well as a twenty-year-old
man from Sandown on suspicion of burglary, theft and grievous bodily harm with
intent. They have been bailed until February seventeenth. 5

REFLECT
REFLECT

Well done! You have shown great

improvement after accomplishing all the
5 tasks in the lesson. This time you will reflect
on your work and rate your confidence.
oliviagarnerasmedia Follow, “Final News Bulletin Script,” SlideShare, February 12, 2016,
https://www.slideshare.net/oliviagarnerasmedia/final-news-bulletin-script.

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ACTIVITY 3: STOP, LOOK, GO!
Directions: Accomplish the infographics. Write your answers in your Journalism
(English) 9 notebook.

ASSESS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Directions: Read the questions carefully and write the letter of the correct
answer on your Journalism (English) 9 notebook.

1. Which of the following refers to descriptive words and expressions

essential for a radio script?
A. Format C. texts
B. Graphic language D. Style

2. _____________________make your radio script livelier and less

stilted.
A. Quotes C. Comparisons
B. Figures D. Active verbs
3. What are the most important factors in writing a radio script?
A. content and structure C. language and literature
B. format and style D. words and sentences

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 4. Research shows that listeners find it difficult to understand sentences
having more than words.
A. 20 C. 30
B. 15 D. 25
5. In what grammatical voice should a radio script be written?
A. Passive voice C. neither active nor passive
B. Active voice D. either active or passive

GLOSSARY

Indirect –adj. deviating from a direct line or course

Medium- n. a channel or system of communication, information, or
entertainment
Texts-n. the original words and form of a written or printed work

ANSWER KEY

Try This
1. True 2. True 3. True 4. False 5. False
6.False 7. True 8. False 9. True 10.False
Assed What You Have Learned
1. B 2. D 3. A 4. A 5. B

REFERENCES

Bed is played all Throughout Reporter Speaking, n.d accessed June 26, 2020
https://www.slideshare.net/oliviagarnerasmedia/final-news-bulletin-script

Hullen, Peter, and Thorsten Karg. “Writing for Radio.” Essay. In Manual For Radio
Journalists, 17–24. Bonn, Germany: DW-Akademie, 2006.