This document provides guidelines for writing effective broadcast news scripts. It emphasizes writing concisely using short sentences and focusing on one idea per sentence. Key points include writing conversationally as if speaking to one listener, avoiding jargon, and keeping sentences between 8-12 words. Scripts should be typed in all caps for easy reading. The document also provides examples comparing less concise print writing to more concise broadcast script writing. It instructs writing scripts with anchor information and spacing between sentences for readability. Students are assigned to write a 4 sentence, 20 second script based on provided facts.

1. Writing for
Broadcast
JCM 331, Fall 2019

2. ABC’s of Broadcast News Writing
● Accuracy
○ Truthful, factual and honest.
○ Stick to the facts that you know.
○ Leave your opinion at home.
● Brevity
● Clarity

3. For Broadcast...Write like you talk!
● Write as if you are speaking to only one
listener (Mom rule).
● Don’t use jargon, slang or bad grammar.
● After writing the script, read it aloud. If it
doesn’t sound like you, then rewrite it. (Write,
read, rewrite, reread, rewrite, reread until you
get it sounding good.)

4. Write like you talk!
● Print: The ACC Network, which launches Thursday,
will air approximately 450 live contests annually,
including 40 regular-season football games and 150
men’s and women’s basketball match-ups.
● Broadcast: It’s lights, camera and action Thursday
for the A-C-C Network. Expect to see some 450
games on the new channel. That includes 40 football
and 150 basketball games.

5. For Broadcast...Keep it short!
● Shorter sentences are more easily
understood.
● Sentences should be short enough to be
easily read in one breath.
● 8 - 12 words!

6. Keep it short!
● Print: President Barack Obama and congressional
Democrats sought to ease Republican complaints about
a massive economic stimulus plan Friday, meeting with
GOP leaders in the White House and promising to
consider some of their recommendations. (34)
● Broadcast: President Obama met with Republican
leaders in Congress today. (9) The Republicans aren’t
happy with Obama’s big economic stimulus plan. (10)
The President says he’ll consider their ideas. (7). (26

7. Keep it short!
One sentence, one thought!
The school board has decided to change the outdated
dress code and it could have a major impact on the
clothes that your child wears to school. (Too long, 27
words)
The school board has decided to change its dress code.
And, it could have a major impact on your child’s
clothes. (Acceptable, 10 words and 11 words)

8. Every script
ALWAYS needs this
information.
Anchor is on the
screen. This lets the
anchor know they
should be looking in
the camera.
WRITE SCRIPTS IN
ALL CAPS
ALL THE COPY THAT
WILL BE READ SHOULD
BE TYPED IN ALL CAPS
LEAVE A SPACE
BETWEEN EACH
SENTENCE SO IT’S EASY
TO READ AT A GLANCE

9. FIRST WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Take facts provided and use the READER SCRIPT TEMPLATE
TO write a FOUR-SENTENCE reader (story without video) that
runs about 20 seconds.
Make sure it’s conversational. Remember: One sentence, one
thought..
Check for accuracy and brevity!
Give it a Slug (2-word title), Put Name and STUDENT ID# at top of page)