2. Linguistic Conventions :
Abbreviations – It is important to use abbreviations
whilst radio scriptwriting for a variety of reasons. For
example shortening down words allows for less time
consuming scripts, therefore allowing for longer
scripts to be written. For example Prof becomes
professor.
Writing numbers : When writing numbers for radio it
is important to write them as words in order not to get
confused with large figiures. However sometimes you
can simply round numbers up, so 3989 could become
4000.
3. Linguistic Conventions :
Expanding acronyms : Whilst writing scripts for
radio, expanding acronyms allows for the listener to not
only understand what the acronym means but gauge what
the topic of conversion is. For example some well known
acronyms may not be expanded, for example (BBC) but it is
probably still best to do so. For example : RSPCA is the
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Punctuations : Punctuation when writing radio scripts is
vital as it allows for the reader to know when take breaths
and start sentences. It allows the script to flow naturally
and for the reader to know what to say and when to say it.
4. Linguistic Conventions :
Formal and Colloquial Language : Formal and
Colloquial language are both very different, and its
necessary to gauge the station audience in order to
write a script . For example Radio 4 would use formal
language, such as when attending a job interview
,whereas on Metro Radio colloquial language would be
acceptable such as Geordie.
5. Linguistic Conventions :
Jargon : Jargon is when a certain profession or group
uses a series of word in which others don’t understand.
So for example talking about technology on a
technology related show, it may confuse listeners
prompting them to turn over to a different station.
Phonetic Spelling : Phonetic spelling is when words
are written as they sound. This may be because of
particular long words that are hard to pronounce or
names that are hard to say. These are normally put into
scripts in order to allow presenters . For example El
Hadj Diouf (El Hadge Du eff)
6. Style :
Writing for the Ear : When writing for a radio
script, sometimes you will be asked to write for the ear.
For example writing in a conversational tone. This
must be done correctly or it wont sound appropriate
House Style : Each radio station has it’s own preferred
format known as a house style. This could be both in
their speaking and written formats, and therefore
radio scripts must be written in that style in order for
the radio stations producer to accept it.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/bbcrad
ioscene.pdf
7. Style :
Standard in and out cues : Standard in and out cues are a
basic practise often used in radio. For example a standard
in cue would be : And here’s Miley Cyrus with… and then
finish it with And that was Miley Cyrus with…. This allows
for listeners halfway through to still be able to follow the
show even after tuning in late.
Signposting : Signposting is where background noise is
used to set the scene. For example if a segment about fans
in football was being used, a football stadium might be
used as an appropriate backdrop in order to give listeners
insight into that particular article.
8. Style :
Language Style : Language style is when you use a
collective group of strategies such as the pacing of
sentences and terminology in order to make sure that
the script follows the appropriate format. For example
a breakfast show may be more upbeat then say a Radio
4 question phone in.
9. Recognised Genres :
Music scripts : A music script is simply the general
plan of how the radio show is going to go. For example
this will include the in and out cues as well as the
timing of songs or any facts or figures that are to be
read out. These normally follow the same style week in
and week out in order for presenters to get used to
them.
10. Recognised Genres :
Documentary Packages :
Documentary packages are when radio shows put together
a documentary format for a certain period of time. For
example Radio 4 would be a show that entertains a lot of
documentaries on its station. Documentary subjects may
include politics or animals to name a few.
Example : http://www.slideshare.net/sounddelivery/bbcradio-4-dont-hang-up-transcript-presentation
11. Recognised Genres :
Speech packages
Speech packages consist of just talking and not songs on
a particular radio show. For example this would include
talk radio such as Talksport and interviews. If the show
is about a particular subject it can be scripted, however if
an interview is being conducted, the answers aren’t
know therefore the radio presenters will have to ‘play it
by ear’.
12. Recognised Genres :
Live Feature Material :
Live Feature Material is any material that has been
recorded live for radio shows. For example this may be
interviews, live sets from festivals, or from sports events.
Stations likes BBC Radio 1 use a lot of live feature
material.
