The document discusses the importance and elements of an effective radio script. A radio script provides both verbal and non-verbal instructions to ensure technical accuracy and continuity of a radio program. It describes the different types of scripts like news, interviews, sports. It provides guidelines for writing scripts, including using clear sentence structure, proofreading for errors, and considering delivery. An effective radio script is well-researched, organized, easy to understand, and crafted for audio presentation.

1. The radio script
The radio script refers to the written material, which indicates
both verbal and non verbal instructions that have to go into a
radio program. It tells us what to say, how to say it and when

2. Importance of radio script
• To ensure technical accuracy of information
• To ensure continuity of program
• To maximize airtime

3. Types of scripts
The “type” in this context is defined according to the intended purpose
• News scripts
• Interview scripts
• Magazine scripts
• Sports/plug
• Drama scripts
• Documentary scripts

4. Points to note
• Type all letters in big letters so the news caster can read them right.
• Double space type lines and paragraphs
• All spoken lines should be typed in big and small letters
• All instructions and non spoken lines should be typed in capital letters
• Have duplicates for each copy
• Write page numbers on each paragraph

5. Points to note on scripts cont…
• Make the script short and simple
• Do not use hard words to pronounce
• Break down long sentences for easy readability(each sentence shouldn’t exceed 12
words)
• Attribute your story either at the beginning or at the end of the story.
• Use short, ordinary conversational words
• Avoid sibilant ie words with hissing sounds
• Do not string together different ideas with “and” sentences be kept short.

6. Sentence structure on scripts
• Keep subject and verb closer together, use active rather than passive voice
for verbs.
• Round of figures/ Numbers eg change 3.6124 to more that 3 and a half
Million.
• 35.7001% to nearly thirty six percent.
• Write out symbols and fractions
• Avoid abbreviations

7. Other marks on the script
• Provide phonetic spellings of hard to pronounce words
• Speech has rhythm and should be kept in mind when writing a radio script.
• A radio script should display an element of now-ness
• Key repetitive sentences help the listeners to get the messages write

8. Basic steps/process in scripting
• Get a good briefing about your audience
• Do comprehensive research about your topic that will feature on your program
• Prepare content outline
• Write the first draft
• Read it loud and time the material
• Visualize the script
• Revise for style, accuracy and timing

9. Radio script outline(News)
• Station id
• Time check
• News plug
• Intro
• Headline
• Details
• Extro

10. CRITERIA FOR RADIO BRODCAST
CRITERIA
SCRIPT AND PRODUCTION
Application of broadcast journalism principles
Broadcast form of writing
Clear and logical organization of news scripts
DELIVERY AND PRESENTATION
Clear presentation of items
Modulation, volume and quality
confidence
STYLE AND TECHNIQUE
Creativity and uniqueness
PERCENTAGE
40
30
30