Most radio content is scripted before broadcast to ensure all necessary information is covered and schedules are adhered to. Scripts are used for segments like announcements, music sequences, and features covering topics like science, business and entertainment. Scripting helps presenters stay on schedule and avoid overrunning or underrunning segments. While listeners may think some content is improvised, pre-writing scripts allows radio stations to effectively plan and structure their broadcasts.

1. Beth Kidd

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A large amount of Radio broadcasting is scripted before going on
air live to millions across the country. Even though many
listeners think it is being made up on the spot. Many different
types of radio genres need the use of pre-written scripts including
continuity announcements , music sequences, speech packages,
radio features , magazines and many more. The topics that may
be covered could be science, lifestyle, showbiz, business ,
entertainment and investigate reports etc.
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The purpose of scripted material is to make sure they cover all
content that needs to be broadcasted and to meet the
requirements of schedules and make sure that timeslots are
correct so that there is no overrunning or under running whilst
being live. The variety of dialogue that is pre-scripted can be
underestimated in the sense of the music sequence production
where music track introductions and back- announcements are
sometimes scripted centrally and then given out through the
internet daily to many radio stations which then often leaves only
a small amount of time in the middle of a link available to which
the presenter then can ad- lib.
Introduction...

3. 
Most radio stations include scriptwriting before each show takes
place to make sure they have a plan on what they need to say
during the transmission.
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This is because:
They have an idea of what they are going to say.
Always know what songs/programmes are coming up soon.
It gives the presenter an idea when able to change the subject.
It is easier to approach people ( such as the audience).
It gives the show shape and structure.
You are able to say what you mean to say.
Nothing will be left out.
Can lead to a better story.
It gives the show a sense of a style.
It doesn't waste time.
However the way it is presenter could come across as if it
is scripted.
Why script?

4. Radio aspects when presenting:
 Must be to write for the ear, not the eye.
 Also needs to be conversational English.
 Needs to be able to read it aloud.
 Must have different grammar.
 Needs to be written for one person( aimed at each listener
individually).
 You have to Substitute words that don't work.
 Also think about the colour language and flow.
Radio Aspects

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Abbreviation - is a shortened form of a word or phrase.
However in radio they use the full word (E.g. Professor instead
of Prof). Radio will use this due to try and make sure the
presenter knows exactly what they have to say as if they said the
abbreviated version it will give the station a bad reputation for
saying the word wrong.
Writing numbers - Writing numbers is where bigger numbers
are rounded. (E.g. 9433 will become 9000). This is to make
sure the presenter wont have to present the actual number which
could be hard to say due to a lot of figures being included.
Expanding acronyms - A word formed from the initial letters of
other words. (E.g. BBC: British Broadcasting Cooperation).
This will be used to make sure the audience know what the topic
is going to be about. It just gives a bit more information to the
audience also.
Linguistic Conventions

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Punctuation - marks such as commas and full stops used in
writing to separate sentences for it able to make sense. (E.g.
Next up on the show we have One Direction performing
their new song from their album Midnight Memories). It
gives the presenter a time to be able to breath an take a rest. It
also makes the show well paced due to the full stops and commas
included in it.
Colloquial language - This is a phrase or word that doesn't
translate. It can also be described as 'informal language'. (E.g.
'give me a hand' = 'assist me‘). It is used to create a natural
or realistic effect and a friendly atmosphere to come across to the
listeners. As for metro radio it is acceptable to use ‘Geordie’.
Formal language - This is correct written language; it is used
for when informal language is unsuitable. (E.g. It appears that
there have been attacks in Southern parts of London). It is
used for some segments on the radio shows such as the news
and also documentary stations such as radio 4.
Linguistic Conventions

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Jargon – a Jargon is a group of specific words that are used by a
particular profession. (E.g. Cue, channel, drop-ins) they are
used as for when the presenter could play a song etc.
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Phonetic spelling - where difficult words are hard to read out
and are broken down so the presenter is able to say it. (E.g.
RA-DI-O). It is important it is used as it means presenters wont
mess up saying the difficult live which could give the radio a bad
reputation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxGOWKtAHT8
Linguistic Conventions

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Writing for the ear – On radio the presenter can not be seen so the
language is very important. (E.g. interact with the audience and
make it conversational). It will show that it wont bore the audience
away.
House styles – Each station has its own house style depending on
the presenter or the show. (E.g. Radio 4 is drama based). It
shows the style of the radio which will show what target audience it
attracts. http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/bang-up.pdf
(example of radio script).
Standard in and out cues – it is a set up feature for a song or
interview which is written by the presenter or producer. (E.g.
Coming up we have an interview with.. Etc.) Also for songs they
always introduce the song and always when it ends they say what
the song was again. This is so If listeners tune in half way through
the song they know what it is by the end if they didn’t already know.
It will guide the listener in and it also gives background information.
( every 3 words = 1 second)
Style Conventions

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Signposting – is the sound that sets the scene (E.g.
conversation outside would have passing traffic). It
makes the listener feel like they are there.
Language style – is the structure of what the presenter is
trying to get across to the audience to try and make them
feel an a emotion. (E.g. Relaxing, exciting or
persuasive). This in radio will guide the listener in to what
kind of style the radio is.
Natural speech rhythms – is for the presenter to be able
to sound natural as possible (E.g. 3 words per second)
It shows that there is pace in their voice.
Style Conventions

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Continuity links – they are the pieces of speech between
tracks or segment on a radio show. (E.g. Metro Radio
always get the famous artists to pre record a
message to introduce their song). This guides listeners
in as it makes fans think that the artists listen to the show.
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Tone- it shows the quality of the presenter due to them
speaking in a more bubbly exciting tone when it is informal
and a more serious tone for formal stations. It also has to
fit to the purpose of the show.
Style Conventions

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Music scripts – they are scripts for music shows. This will include
sections where music will be played. These scripts are always planned
before the show. http://www.slideshare.net/andym1982/exampleradio-script
Documentary Programmes- they are shows that are fully scripted
which includes in and out cues, the interviews wouldn’t be necessarily
scripted they are more just cues.
http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/24267321.png
Speech packages - they are shows that are speech shows such as
radio 4’s drama segments which include acting in.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/neuroticsanonymous.pdf
 Live feature material – this is when a section on the show is
live such as a band performing their song live. This will
promote the station as its showing core music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pZi7CXE2ac
Recognised Genres