2. Linguistic Conventions in radio is: abbreviation; writing numbers; expanding
acronyms; punctuation; formal and colloquial language; jargon; phonetic
spelling of difficult words.
Abbreviation:
A shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, consisting of a
letter or a group of letters from the word or phrase. E.g Mister - Mr
Writing numbers:
Writing the word instead of the number itself. E.g 10,000 – 10 thousand
Expanding acronyms:
Acronym expanded into the words it was originally shortened from. E.g BBC –
British Broadcast Corporation
Punctuation:
Punctuation used to indicate pauses/questions etc. E.g Question - ?

3. Formal and colloquial language:
Formal language is proper spoken English, and follows the rules of grammar. Colloquial
language is language that doesn’t follow the rules of grammar. E.g Hello – Hiya
Jargon:
Special words of phrases used by a particular profession. E.g Radio – Audio
Phonetic spelling:
Written words how they sound not necessarily how they are spelled. E.g Wrap (presenter
“wraps” their voice around a news clip) – Rap

4. Writing for the ear:
Think how you would say it, not write it, to make it a flowing conversation. E.g reading
from a newspaper would sound very formal and robotic, you would need to make it flow
and use more informal language.
House styles:
Preferred format of the station to keep everything similar and connected. E.g BBC has 2
set radio house styles, the first being ‘Cue Style’ for live shows and the other being
‘Scene Style’ for pre-recorded shows. Examples are on ‘BBC Writers Room’.
Standard in- and out-cues:
IN CUES- Introducing the interviewee/song/segment up next. E.g “You might know her as
an internet pop sensation…”
OUT CUES- Closing the segment. E.g “Thanks for listening…”
Signposting:
Establishing the scene. E.g report on football match, screaming crowds in the
background, this sets the scene.

5. Language style:
The style of language you would want something to come across as. E.g.
exciting, persuasive, relaxing.
Natural speech rhythms:
Fluent speech flows with a rhythm and the words bump into each other. To make
speech flow smoothly the way we pronounce the end and beginning of some words
can change depending on the sounds at the beginning and end of those words.
Tone:
The tone of voice a presenter on the radio uses can dramatically change the way it
sounds to the audience, it can be used to emphasize certain words or phrases.
Continuity links:
A term used in broadcasting to refer to announcements, messages and graphics played
by the broadcaster between specific programmes.

6. Recognized genres
Music scripts:
When the presenter cues the songs by introducing the artist and song.
Documentary programmes:
When radio shows put together a documentary format for a certain period of time. E.g.
Radio 4 would use documentary packages, subjects may include politics or animals etc.
Speech packages:
They are a talk radio for example, Night Owls. The radio would consist of constant talk, it
would include no music.
Live feature material:
Broadcasting as it is happening. E.g. phone-ins, live interviews etc.