MECHANICS OF BROADCAST WRITING

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the mechanics of broadcast writing.

There is more to a successful broadcast news release than a good news peg or interesting story topic. Your release may not even reach the news director's desk if it does not comply with the mechanics of broadcast writing.

When we speak of broadcast writing mechanics, we are referring to all aspects of a news release, other than the actual content of the story. We speak of a basic format and style used by both commercial and military broadcasters.

Your compliance with a few basic rules assures a better chance for your release to make the airwaves and, in turn, tells the recipient of your story that he or she is dealing with a conscientious broadcast journalist.

Always treat a release from your office as official correspondence. You are responsible for the information it contains. In the broadcast copy, you should include all the facts necessary for the release to be understood and include all administrative information, such as points of contact and release numbers.

Stations will not accept or use sloppy copy. Your broadcast releases should be error-free. Since broadcast copy is designed to be read aloud, it should not appear to be cluttered. Make sure there is sufficient white space, and always type your script double-spaced. Doublespaced copy is not only easier to read but it also provides space for additional information the announcer might want to insert.

UPPERCASE VS. LOWERCASE STYLE

Broadcast copy can be written (typed) in all capital letters or uppercase and lowercase. There are merits for each style. We are used to reading in uppercase and lowercase, and the patterns of words are easier to distinguish. If both uppercase and lowercase are used, you can also use caps for emphasis. However, the wire services use all caps and the all-capital treatment would conform to that style. Your job is to determine the best style for your releases and use it. Sticking to one style only, within the context of a story, also is important. Be consistent!

TYPING COPY

When typing broadcast copy, you should set your typewriter/printer margin for an average of 60 spaces per line. This will give you about 10 words per line and will aid you in quickly determining how much copy you have written or need to write. Two to four lines will equal about 10 seconds of copy. Seven to eight lines will yield approximately 30 seconds, and 14 to 16 lines will average about 60 seconds.

Since the size of the print influences readability, your releases should be in 10- or 12-point type.

TIMING

Timing in newscasts is also very important. Many radio stations run a five-minute newscast on the hour. By the time all the spots, jingles and introductions are weeded out, there is precious little time for news. Tenor 15 seconds in story length can make a difference in whether or not your release will be aired. Your release should be timed, and the time required to read your release should be indicated on the release.

The average announcer reads at a rate of 2 1/2 words per second. Simple multiplication shows a 10-second release averages 25 words and a 60-second story averages 150 words. Remember - we are referring to an "average" announcer; naturally, there are many variables. Radio DJs usually read faster than radio newscasters, and radio newscasters usually read faster than television newscasters.

PARAGRAPHING

Do not indent sentences in broadcast copy. It is a waste of space when writing on only half a page. Paragraphing is not used in broadcast writing, since the treatment of a topic can usually be handled in one paragraph anyway. Always set margins flush-left, so your copy will appear as one block.

Consequently, you should not hyphenate or divide a word at the end of a line. If the whole word does not fit, simply drop down to the next line. Likewise, do not split a sentence between pages in your broadcast story. It makes it difficult for the announcer to maintain continuity.

NUMBERING PAGES

If your broadcast story is more than one page, number the pages consecutively. For example, if your copy is three pages long, number the first page 1 of 3, and the last page 3 of 3. Write page numbers in the upper left-hand corner of the page.

(MORE)

When a story takes more than one page, center the word (MORE) under the manuscript portion at the end of each continued page.

THE END

Indicate the end of your broadcast copy by centering three number symbols (###) under your manuscript column.