MC 2010 Chapter : Broadcast Writing
Broadcast Writing:
• Lead should be short, condensed, not extremely detailed, but include the major points.
- Introduce topic, give details later
- One sentence
- One breath
- Don’t put names or ages in the lead
Exception: Unless it is a house hold name
- Important details would be in the second details.
Example: Names, Ages, specific times and dates
• Active voice
• Keep sentences short and limit the information
- You don’t want to overwhelm the listener with too much to understand.
- Never use a large amount of numbers
• Always use the full name and title on the first reference.
- Mayor Mitch Landrieu (1st reference)
- Mayor Landrieu (2nd reference)
• Use the title and last name on second reference
• Never misspell a name
• Main facts, condensed
• Credit any information that has not been confirmed
• Always spell everything out
- “US ninety” In broadcast would be typed “U-S Ninety”
- Also hyphenate between numbers
Example: Four-eight-one-two Smith Rd.
• Don’t use commas, use ellipses…
• Put age before names
- Twenty two year old… Shelley Smith
• Do not use adjectives
• Do not put AM PM in broadcast ever
- Put the part of the day when giving a gist
Example: this morning, this evening, last night
- Put times of events when giving specifics3
Example: ten forty five this morning
• When proof reading, always remove unnecessary or repetitive words or phrases
• Shorten phrases
- “Police took the suspects into custody” broadcast would read “Police arrested the suspects”
Document Summary
Lead should be short, condensed, not extremely detailed, but include the major points. Don"t put names or ages in the lead. Exception: unless it is a house hold name. Important details would be in the second details. Example: names, ages, specific times and dates: active voice, keep sentences short and limit the information. You don"t want to overwhelm the listener with too much to understand. Never use a large amount of numbers: always use the full name and title on the first reference. Mayor landrieu (2nd reference: use the title and last name on second reference, never misspell a name, main facts, condensed, credit any information that has not been confirmed, always spell everything out. Us ninety in broadcast would be typed u-s ninety . Example: four-eight-one-two smith rd: don"t use commas, use ellipses . Twenty two year old shelley smith: do not use adjectives, do not put am pm in broadcast ever.
