The document discusses the conventions of writing scripts for radio. It explains that most radio genres require pre-written scripts for reasons such as ensuring all relevant information is included, maintaining timing, and consistency across stations. Scripts follow certain linguistic conventions like expanding abbreviations and acronyms, writing out numbers, and using phonetic spelling. They also have standardized cues, house styles, signposting, and continuity links. Recognized genres discussed include music scripts, documentaries, speech packages, and live recordings.

1. The Conventions of
Speech Writing for Radio
By Bethan Collerton

2. 


The majority of radio has been scripted in some
form before it is aired. Even shows that sound
completely spontaneous may have been planned
out in advance. Many of the different genres of
radio require pre-written scripts for a variety of
reasons, for example, news
programmes, documentaries and music shows.
Scripts are used to ensure the DJ includes all the
relevant information and doesn't go off subject.
Scripts are also important for timing, and help to
make sure programmes don’t overrun or
underrun.
Some stations also script the continuity links
between songs and distribute the same scripts to
their stations across the UK.

3. Linguistic Conventions:

Expanding Abbreviation –Abbreviations aren’t
usually used in radio scripts because it can be
confusing for the reader and disrupt the flow of
the script. It also gives a clearer sense of the
time needed to read a script because it takes
longer to say the unabbreviated word.
For example Prof. becomes Professor.

4. Writing Numbers – In radio scripts you
would write the number out and round it
up. This helps with the flow of the script
and gives a clearer indication of timing.
For example 9890 would become one
thousand.

Jargon – The technical terms associated
with a certain activity or occupation.
For example Ethernet is associated with
computing.


5. Expanding Acronyms – When writing a
radio script some acronyms are expanded
to give more information in a news story.
However if it is a familiar acronym, such
as BBC there would be no need to expand
it because the majority of people already
know what it means.
For example Nabisco would be expanded to
the National Biscuit Company because not
many people will recognise it.


6. 
Punctuation – Commas and full stops are used to
make the scripts flow naturally and direct the DJ
as to where they can take breaths and where
they should pause for emphasis.
For example “Next up we have Little Mix, the girls
are in the studio with us to talk about their
newest album, Move.”

7. Formal and Colloquial Language – Formal and
colloquial language can both be used in a
radio script. It depends on the purpose and
genre of the script as to which is used.
For example a local, commercial radio station
is more likely to use colloquialisms to connect
with local listeners. BBC Radio 4, on the other
hand, is more likely to use formal language
and received pronunciation.

Phonetic Spelling – Spelling words as they are
said. It is usually used for the names of
people or places.
For example Thierry Henry becomes Tee-airee On-ree.


8. Style:

Writing for the Ear – Writing a radio script is
different to writing a script for TV because the
audience will be focusing purely on the audio and
will have no visual cues. This has to be taken into
account when choosing language and structure.
For example a radio script couldn’t contain the line
“Look at that!” without also describing what the
person is looking at.

9. Standard In and Out Cues – These are the
standard phrases used before and after tracks
or features on a radio show. It introduces the
next feature as well as giving the listener
some background information.
For example “Next up we have an interview
with Justin Timberlake who narrowly missed
out on his album going to number one at the
weekend. Justin talks to us about his plans
now the album has been released and how he
feels about his fan base being mostly older
women.”


10. 
House Styles – Each station has it’s own house
style. This is a general style which the radio
station follows.
For example BBC Radio 1 is music based.

Signposting – using actuality to set the scene.
For example if the programme was a sports report
about a football match there would be the sound
of fans cheering in the background.

11. 
Language Style – This is a range of things such
as lexis, semantics and structure. It all combines
to make sure the script fits in with the house
style of the station and is in keeping with the
context, purpose and genre of the script.
For example the language style of a Radio 4
documentary will be a lot more formal than that of
a Capital show.

Natural Speech Rhythms – It is important to
make radio scripts sound as natural as possible.
Natural speech rhythm is about the pace of the
readers voice and where they take breaths.
For example not talking too fast or too slow.

12. 
Tone – The tone of the script is very important
because this has a big effect on how it’s perceived by
the audience. The tone has to fit the purpose and
genre of the piece. The tone of a script can be
anything from sombre to uplifting.
For example a BBC Radio 4 script about the chemical
warfare in Syria will have a completely different tone
to a Metro Radio script about Metro Radio Live.

Continuity Links – continuity links are the pieces of
speech between tracks or segments on a radio show.
They bridge the gap between the two pieces and
introduce the second one.
For example “That was HAIM’s new single The Wire. Up
next is a bit of Jason Derulo, Talk Dirty to Me.”

13. Recognised Genres:

Music scripts – These are scripts written
for music based radio shows such as chart
shows. They keep to the same format
each time to allow the DJ to become
familiar with it as well as to make sure the
script is in keeping with the stations house
style.

14. 
Documentary programmes – The majority
of documentary programmes are scripted
because they are a source of information
which needs to be correct. Having a script
eliminates the possibility of the DJ making
a mistake and means the show will last
exactly the right amount of time.

15. 
Speech packages – These are recordings
purely of speech without any music. They
are used on talk radio shows such as
TalkSport.
Live feature material – These are
recordings of live events that are then
played out during the radio show.
For example a recording of Eminem
performing at Leeds Festival 2013.
