1. Writing for Broadcast
Chapter 18

2. Print/Broadcast Differences
Print news is written for readers scanning a page with their eyes
Print stories can be reread
Most people like newspapers for their detailed information
Prints stories are written based on word count and column inches
Broadcast news is written for listeners and viewers tuning in with their ears and eyes (for TV)
Broadcast words, once spoken, are gone forever
People like broadcast news for quick, up-to-date info
Broadcast stories are written for length of time: 30 sec., 2 min., etc.

3. Print/Broadcast Similarities
Although the writing styles for print and broadcast are different, the types of stories chosen are not
The best stories for print and broadcast are also the best stories in print
Reporting and newsgathering are similar too: identifying central point, finding the best story angle, doing background research, conducting interviews, identifying best quotes/soundbites, writing well, and adhering to journalistic principles of accuracy, fairness, balance, and objectivity

4. Broadcast Writing Guidelines
Adopt a conversational, informal and relaxed style
Write short sentences that are to the point and limited to one idea per sentence
Present information in an up-to-date format
Use present-tense verbs
Round off numbers and give them meaning
Shorten long titles
Never put an unfamiliar name first in a story
Omit a person’s middle initial
Place the description, age, job title, and other identification before a person’s name not after as done in print
Leave out ages and addresses if they are not important to the story
Place the attribution before what is said: “who said what”
Avoid pronouns: may be unclear who you are referring to

5. Broadcast Writing Tips
Add phonetic spelling to ensure proper pronunciation: Bow-fort, North Carolina; Beuw-fort, South Carolina
Spell out numbers up to and including eleven
Use numerals for 12 to 999
Use “says” instead of “said” to sound more current and now
Use a combination of numerals and words for large numbers
Use words instead of abbreviations
Spell out figures, signs and symbols
Use hyphens for numbers and letters to be read individually: C-B-S
Avoid alliterations or tongue twisters

6. Pyramid vs. Inverted Pyramid
The best broadcast leads are short: 12 words or so
Broadcast uses a pyramid style body of the story organization: complete story is written for time given, say 30 seconds
But like the inverted pyramid, the story often puts information in descending order of importance

7. Scripting Broadcast Stories
Broadcast story “scripts” have more narrow left and right margins and are double spaced for readability
Corrections can be neatly made on script using block-style editing
See script example on page 496
Another example is on our website: