1. Writing a script
What changes when we are crafting lines to be heard as opposed to read?

2. MANY OF THE SAME CONCEPTS APPLY FOR BOTH PRINT/DIGITAL AND BROADCAST
You want to grab attention-- hook with the lead
Most important details first (inverted pyramid)
Show why something is important/newsworthy
Everything must be true, or face potentially severe consequences such as libel lawsuits
Utilize multiple sources of information: the more info you include from various people, agencies or documents, the more credible and interesting it is
Give attribution to those sources of info
Maximize objective facts, minimize opinion
Provide clear, vivid detail to “paint a picture” for the person who is reading/hearing your words
Balance that detail with being concise, not confusing
Use active voice, not passive
Active: “Police arrested the thieves.”
Passive: “The thieves were arrested by police.”
MANY OF THE SAME CONCEPTS APPLY FOR BOTH PRINT/DIGITAL AND BROADCAST

3. Some things do change when WRITING WORDS THAT WILL BE HEARD, NOT READ
Remember that your audience is likely doing something else
(driving, cleaning, working walking, talking, thinking, etc.)
You have to cut through that noise to grab them
Most important factors to consider are clarity and timing.
Does story have to fit in a two minute window or 30 seconds?
Unlike reading a story, you have to assume that you only get one shot to send this message to your audience. Make sure that you put only the most important details in a way that is easy for someone else to understand on the first try... More than likely, they cannot/will not “read it again” or rewind.
Always use present tense. Timeliness is very important for broadcast. The biggest stories are either happening now or will happen soon. What happened already is behind us (technology=timeliness)