Writing for radio: how to turn a print story into a broadcast script
Listeners cannot reread a sentence. Here is how to write news that is easy to follow by ear, and how long your script should be.
A sentence that works in print can be impossible to follow aloud. Broadcast writing is writing for the ear.
Short sentences, one idea each
If the presenter needs a breath in the middle of a sentence, split it.
Present tense and active voice
“The council is closing the market” sounds like news; “It has been announced by the council that…” does not.
Say who before what they said
“The health minister says…” lets the listener know whose words follow.
Round the numbers
“Almost three thousand families”, not “2,947 families”.
Time your script
Most presenters read about 150 words a minute, so a 30-second story is around 75 words.
With Byline
The Broadcast Script template writes for the ear and times the script to your slot. Byline Voice can read it aloud so you can hear it before air.