How to make a radio script?

2. R A D I O W O R K S H O P
W W W . R A D U N I . O R G
EU write the script!
Youth reporting on Europe
W W W . E U R O P H O N I C A . E U

4. EUROPHONICA
The first international and shared RADIO
SHOW realised by an international editorial
staff, composed by students and professionals
of college radios from all Europe.
EUROPHONICA is the shared radio show
which aims to give voice to independent
student and university media.

5. The European radio show’s main objectives are to facilitate
the dissemination of the European institutions among young
people and deepen the most important European topics
(citizenship, immigration, agricultural policies, youth policy,
citizens’ rights etc).
Europhonica represents an unique opportunity for students
and professionals of college radio to practice citizen
journalism and learning from the best practices of
participating countries.
EUROPHONICA

6. This editorial project is crucial as a means of development
and promotion of community media in Europe and as an
opportunity for self-organized network of European university
and student radios in order to raise awareness and promote
European citizenship.
EUROPHONICA

7. Italian College Radio Association (RadUni)
Founded in 2006 to respond to a need to link and share good practices among
the promoters of the first experiences of Italian university web radios.
RadUni has led the development of these pioneers and has supported the
birth of new antennas in all Italy.
RADUNI

8. AIM:
aggregating fans and experts of new media and communication, particularly
interested to the university media.
These multimedia communication tools represent an exceptionally diverse and
heterogeneous practical laboratory for the dissemination of cultural and
democratic values within the Italian Universities.
More info: www.raduni.org
RADUNI

10. Youth reporting on Europe!
The script is what makes sense of the information you’ve gathered.
It’s the framework for the story you’ll tell/report.
It brings together the most important elements and helps the
audience to focus and understand the significance of the key
points of the topic.
1. keywords

11. Youth reporting on Europe!
The script should be written in simple and short sentences.
Try to use common words (everyday language) and terms the
audience will understand.
Break down complicated concepts (the script should not contain
complicated concepts that could confuse or distract the audience).
2. keep it short and simple

12. Youth reporting on Europe!
Introduce the topic, warn the listeners on what they’ll listen
without repeating the words they’re about to hear.
Don’t summarise too much, and personalise your script.
Grab the attention of the audience, as You’ll be crafting a tease
into material that is designed to make people stop and listen.
3. choose YOUR style

13. Youth reporting on Europe!
The language should be in the active tense.
The most important information should be displayed in the first
few sentences.
HOWEVER quality should be consistent throughout!
The script mustn’t tail off at the end.
3. choose YOUR style

14. Youth reporting on Europe!
Scripts should be factual and without comment or descriptive
words.
Don’t include your own emotions.
Deliver a complete and fair report (your script should weave
together all the elements you have gathered for your story without
suggesting that any one is more important than the other -that’s
for the audience to decide-).
4. PERSONAL DOESN'T MEAN EGOCENTRIC

15. Youth reporting on Europe!
YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY to set out the
information IN A WAY THAT DOESN’T LEAD
OR MISLEAD.

17. Youth reporting on Europe!
Fact check EVERY piece of information that you’re including in the
script.
Also fact check what has been said by those you’re quoting.
Decide whether the fact checking has raised any issues that need
to be covered in the script.
5. FACT CHECKING

18. Youth reporting on Europe!
Check the script against the editorial ethics of:
6. EDITORIAL ETHICS
OBJECTIVITY, IMPARTIALITY & FAIRNESS
Don’t give extra weight to one point of
view!

19. Youth reporting on Europe!
Start the script by addressing the main point made in the
introduction.
Later in the script you can add context analysis that may help the
audience understand the issues raised by the sources/topics.
Start with a crisp and sharp introduction that highlights the main
points.
7. pay attention to the BEGINNING

20. Youth reporting on Europe!
Always end the script with a fact and not a vague line such as “we
will have to wait and see”.
Audience wants information, not overused clichés.
Consider asking to the listeners what’s likely to happen next and
summarise their expectations in the last paragraph.
8. pay attention to the ENDING

21. Youth reporting on Europe!
Read rathe script back to yourself.
Does it make sense?
Any gasps? Do you need any further research?
Check with others (colleagues, editorial team).
9. double check: always read the script back to yourself!

22. Youth reporting on Europe!
USEFUL TIPS:
Write the script like it’s going to be spoken aloud, not as if you're
reading it:
Keep it succinct:
Whatever the type of radio that you make, it often makes sense to plan it out in advance to make sure
you produce and present the best content possible.
When you write a radio script, try to keep it as tight as possible. Don’t add unnecessarily flowery words
or sentences that do not add to what you are trying to say.

24. Introduction
Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3
Social Media
Journalism
Speakers'
training
Writing
the script
Recording
Feedback
Plan of the Workshop
14:00
14:20
14:30
15:15
16:00
16:30

25. what you'll
do now:
SPLIT IN 3 GROUPS1.
2.
3.
DISCUSS YOUR
TOPIC
CHOOSE YOUR ROLE