THINGS

TO REMEMBER
IN
RADIO
SCRIPTWRITING
 THINGS TO REMEMBER
IN RADIO SCRIPTWRITING
1. Double or triple space-typewrite all lines and paragraphs.
2. Type copy in big letters so that the newscaster can easily
read it.
3. All spoken lines should be typed in big and small letters.
4. All instructions and non-spoken lines should be typed in
big or capital letters.
5. Have a duplicate of each copy.
6. Make each sentence a paragraph.
7. Word should not be split at the end of the line or margin.
8. Write a page number on each script.
9. End each page each page with a paragraph before using
another paper.
10. Make your script clean.
 THINGS TO REMEMBER
IN RADIO SCRIPTWRITING
18. Round off number to the nearest. For example, 2,570,000,
you can say “over two million five hundred thousand”
19. Using tape-recorded statement from interview adds
credibility to the story.
20. Length of the script:
10 seconds - 25 words
20 seconds - 45 words
30 seconds - 65 words
45 seconds - 100 words
60 seconds - 125 words
Introductory Stage This is to get the attention of
the listeners and could be a word, a phrase or a
short sentence which may not be grammatical.
Body message Stage This is the putting up of the
substance in installment. The answers of the WHO,
WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and the HOW are
broken up into shorter sentences.
Summation Stage It repeats and affirms the
message.
 FORMAT OF THE
RADIO BROADCAST SCRIPT
Date of the Report. It is usually placed on the top right
corner of the copy.
Slug. It is composed of one or two words that tells the
essence of the story and is placed under the date.
Time. Under the slug or catchline, write the time of the
broadcast.
Body. It gives the text of the story.
Source. At the bottom left hand of the copy, put the
source of the story. This includes the surname or initials
of the editor and the phone number of the source so he
can be contacted immediately if there would be problem
or if follow-up is needed on the story.
Other important things to remember:

1. Radio news formats may vary from station to station.

2. Others use the following symbols as additional
information:

• * (asterisk) to indicate end of the script

• -MORE- usually written at the bottom rightmost
corner of the page to indicate continuation on the
next page
• 2-2-2 written at the top leftmost corner of the
page to indicate continuation from the previous page
• -30- to indicate end of page