1. Broadcast News Writing
Writing for the ear instead of the eye of the audience

2. Have the courage to write simply. -Merv Block

3. BROADCAST NEWS WRITING:
Writing for television and radio
Keep in mind
Listeners/viewers cannot “flip back” and review the information
Writing is more for the ear
Writing is linear — Shorter, sharper, stronger

4. WRITING SIMPLY MEANS: Shorter
Say only what needs to be said in the simplest way possible
Sharper
Precise and concise - make each word count
Stronger
Speak with an active voice
Waste no words

5. HOW DO I DO THAT?
Remember, you are just relating the events of a story
How would you tell it to your best friend?
How would you tell it over the phone?
Use short sentences
A single thought per sentence
Speak in an ACTIVE voice
Subject Verb Object
EXAMPLE: Taco Bell was robbed by an armed gunman last night.
SHOULD BE: An armed gunman robbed Taco Bell last night.

6. THE ZOMBIE TEST How do you know you are using active voice?
If you can add “by zombies” to the sentence and it makes sense, it’s passive.
EXAMPLE: Taco Bell was robbed… by zombies. (PASSIVE)
SHOULD BE: Zombies robbed Taco Bell. (ACTIVE)
HINT: Usually if the sentenced ends with any part of speech other than an object or direct object, it’s passive.

7. GETTING TENSE: Broadcaster speaks in the present tense…
The viewer sees and hears it as it is happening (video)
The commentary should be equal to that experience
Create a false present tense to create a sense of immediacy (after all, this is the NEWS!)

8. MAKING EVERY WORD COUNT:
Remember the construct: subject verb object
Add in the necessary denotative articles to make it make sense
Use attribution to give your story credibility
Attribution comes BEFORE the quote - tell the viewer who they are going to see or hear before they see or hear it
ALWAYS READ YOUR STORY OUT LOUD
ALWAYS USE THE SUBJECT - OBJECT - VERB CONSTRUCT

9. Broadcast News Writing
Writing for the ear instead of the eye of the audience