Basics of writing for broadcast Slides set up for first electronic reporting writing assignment

1. Writing for Broadcast
JCM 331, Fall 2018

2. ABC’s of Broadcast News Writing
● Accuracy
○ Truthful, factual and honest.
○ Stick to the facts that you know.
○ Leave your opinion at home.
● Brevity
● Clarity

3. For Broadcast...Write like you talk!
● Write as if you are speaking to only one
listener (Mom rule).
● Don’t use jargon, slang or bad grammar.
● After writing the script, read it aloud. If it
doesn’t sound like you, then rewrite it. (Write,
read, rewrite, reread, rewrite, reread until you
get it sounding good.)

4. Write like you talk!
● Print: Pope Benedict XVI joined U.S. President
Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II on Friday by
launching his own YouTube channel, the latest
Vatican effort to reach out to the digital generation.
● Broadcast: President Obama has a YouTube
channel. So does Queen Elizabeth. Now the Pope
has one too. The pope wants to use the new channel
to reach out to young people.

5. For Broadcast...Keep it short!
● Shorter sentences are more easily
understood.
● Sentences should be short enough to be
easily read in one breath.
● 8 - 12 words!

6. Keep it short!
● Print: President Barack Obama and congressional
Democrats sought to ease Republican complaints about
a massive economic stimulus plan Friday, meeting with
GOP leaders in the White House and promising to
consider some of their recommendations. (34)
● Broadcast: President Obama met with Republican
leaders in Congress today. (9) The Republicans aren’t
happy with Obama’s big economic stimulus plan. (10)
The President says he’ll consider their ideas. (7). (26

7. Keep it short!
One sentence, one thought!
The school board has decided to change the outdated
dress code and it could have a major impact on the
clothes that your child wears to school. (Too long, 27
words)
The school board has decided to change the outdated
dress code. It could have a major impact on your child’s
clothes. (Acceptable, 11 words and 10 words)

8. FIRST WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Take facts provided and write
a FOUR-SENTENCE reader (story without
video) that runs about 20 seconds.
Make sure it’s conversational.
Remember: One sentence, one thought
Check for accuracy and brevity!
Put Name and STUDENT ID# at top of page

9. REMINDER: LAB Sessions Begin MONDAY!
● You MUST have
your external hard
drive by the time
of your first lab
session
● You MUST have
your SD Card on
which to save your
video work