Rules for writing in radio
- 1. Rules for writing in radio 1. Write as if you’re talking to somebody you know (using contractions and other basic spoken techniques) 2. Who is involved, what has happened, where did it happen, when did it happen, why did it happen, how did it happen 3. Keep it simple, simple ideas, one sentence, avoid commas 4. Three sentences for a cue, four in a copy story 5. Write numbers for words to make it clearer for the news reader to read 6. Some elements do not make sense to listeners even though it makes sense to the newsreader because they know the basis of the story – Name, Age, location is too basic and won’t be ambiguous. It should be age years old – name from location or name – who is age from location. (E.g. Seventeen year old – Joe Bloggs from Newport) 7. Make sure you don’t repeat what is said in a cue. Summarise it before it is played instead of introducing their name in case the clip does not play. ‘Directing correspondent says he is very excited for the game’ etc. 8. Phonetically write certain names of places or people that may be difficult to pronounce. 9. Round up statistics and put them into context. It is much easier to understand – E.g. 260,000 hectares changes to ‘3 football pitches.’ 10. Don’t use the term ‘today’ in the top line of the story. The audience assume events are taking place recently. You can use ‘this morning’ or ‘this afternoon.’ 11. Don’t use quotations, the only speaking from other people should be from them in a clip. This can have exception if you’re introducing an important quote that may be followed up by a cue from that person. 12. Avoid abbreviations unless they are really common. (E.g. NATO) 13. Read it aloud when writing in case speaking it does not make sense, is awkward to pronounce or has unintentional rhyme.