JMC 457
Lecture Notes 3
Arizona State University
Spring 2023
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Introduction to Radio News Script
Radio news is an essential aspect of broadcast journalism. The dissemination of information
through radio news has remained a vital medium for decades, despite the increasing influence of
other media platforms. Radio news provides timely and concise updates on current events, news,
and analysis to a vast audience. To deliver high-quality radio news, a well-written and structured
news script is crucial. This lecture note will discuss the importance of radio news, the purpose of
a radio news script, and a brief overview of radio news script format.
Importance of Radio News
Radio news is an essential medium for disseminating information to a wide audience. It
has the potential to reach people in remote areas where other media platforms may not be
accessible.
Radio news is an efficient and cost-effective way of conveying information to a large
audience. It requires less equipment and infrastructure compared to other media
platforms.
Radio news can provide live coverage of events, making it an ideal medium for breaking
news stories and updates.
Radio news can also provide in-depth analysis and commentary on events, allowing
audiences to gain a deeper understanding of complex issues.
Purpose of a Radio News Script
The purpose of a radio news script is to provide the broadcaster with a roadmap for
delivering accurate, timely, and concise news to the audience.
A well-written radio news script ensures that the broadcaster conveys the intended
message and maintains the required tone and pace of the news bulletin.
A radio news script helps the broadcaster to stay organized, focused, and on track during
the broadcast.
Brief Overview of Radio News Script Format
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A radio news script typically begins with a headline, followed by the introduction, which
sets the tone and context for the news bulletin.
The body of the news script provides details of the news story, with the most important
information first, followed by additional details and background information.
Radio news scripts use concise and straightforward language, with short sentences and
paragraphs to make it easy for the audience to understand.
Radio news scripts also include soundbites from interviews, speeches, and other sources
to add depth and authenticity to the news bulletin.
Radio news scripts often end with a conclusion or summary of the news story, followed
by any additional information, such as upcoming events or announcements.
Radio news remains an essential medium for disseminating information to a vast audience. A
well-written and structured radio news script is crucial for delivering high-quality news
broadcasts. It provides broadcasters with a roadmap for conveying accurate, timely, and concise
news to the audience. The format of a radio news script typically includes a headline,
introduction, body, soundbites, and conclusion.
Headlines: Definition, Purpose, Characteristics, and Examples
A headline is a brief statement that summarizes the main idea of a news story. It is the first thing
readers or viewers see, and it plays a crucial role in capturing their attention and enticing them to
read or watch the news story. This lecture note will discuss the definition and purpose of a
headline, the characteristics of a good headline, and provide examples.
Definition and Purpose of a Headline
A headline is a brief statement that summarizes the main idea of a news story. It is
usually written in bold typeface and placed at the top of the news story.
The primary purpose of a headline is to capture the reader's or viewer's attention and
entice them to read or watch the news story.
A headline also serves as a guide for the reader or viewer, helping them to determine the
relevance of the news story to their interests.
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Characteristics of a Good Headline
A good headline is clear, concise, and informative. It should accurately summarize the
main idea of the news story.
A good headline is also attention-grabbing and enticing, using language that is interesting
and compelling.
A good headline uses active voice and strong verbs, creating a sense of urgency and
importance.
A good headline is written in a style that is consistent with the tone of the news story,
whether it is serious, informative, or entertaining.
A good headline is written in a way that is accessible to a wide audience, using simple
language and avoiding technical jargon or acronyms.
A good headline should also be grammatically correct and free of spelling errors.
Examples of Good Headlines
- This headline is clear, concise, and
informative. It accurately summarizes the main idea of the news story and uses active
voice and strong verbs to create a sense of excitement.
- This headline is attention-
grabbing and enticing, using language that is interesting and compelling. It accurately
summarizes the main idea of the news story and uses strong verbs to create a sense of
accomplishment.
"Amazon is hiring 75,000 workers, offering $100 bonuses for COVID-19 vaccination
proof" - This headline is written in a style that is consistent with the tone of the news
story. It is informative and uses language that is accessible to a wide audience. It also
uses strong verbs and creates a sense of urgency.
A headline is a brief statement that summarizes the main idea of a news story. Its primary
purpose is to capture the reader's or viewer's attention and entice them to read or watch the news
story. A good headline is clear, concise, informative, attention-grabbing, and uses language that
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is interesting and compelling. It should be written in a style that is consistent with the tone of the
news story, accessible to a wide audience, and grammatically correct.
IV. Introduction in News Script
A. Definition and Purpose
The introduction in a news script refers to the opening remarks made by the news anchor
or reporter at the start of a news broadcast.
The purpose of the introduction is to capture the attention of the audience and provide
them with a brief overview of the news story.
According to Frank Barnas in his book "News Writing and Reporting for Today's
Media," the introduction should answer the following questions: "What happened?
Where? When? Who is involved? Why is it important?"
B. Characteristics of a Good Introduction
A good introduction should be concise and to the point, with the most important
information presented first.
It should be written in a clear and straightforward language that is easy for the audience
to understand.
The introduction should be engaging and grab the audience's attention, using a hook that
is relevant to the story.
According to Jan Johnson Yopp and Katherine C. McAdams in their book "The Art of
Technical Writing," the introduction should also establish the tone and context of the
story and provide any necessary background information.
C. Examples
"Good evening, I'm [Name], and these are the headlines at [Time]."
"Breaking news: A massive earthquake has struck [Location], causing widespread
damage and injuries."
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"Welcome to our special report on [Topic]. Today, we'll be exploring the latest
developments in this important issue."
V. Lead
A. Definition and Purpose
A lead is the beginning of a piece of writing or article that captures the reader's attention
and entices them to continue reading.
The purpose of a lead is to hook the reader, make them interested in what the piece has to
say, and compel them to keep reading.
B. Characteristics of a Good Lead
A good lead is clear and concise, with no unnecessary fluff or filler words.
It should be specific, capturing the essence of the piece in just a few sentences.
A good lead is also interesting, compelling the reader to continue reading by sparking
their curiosity or interest.
It should also be relevant to the piece as a whole, providing a clear sense of what the
piece is about.
Finally, a good lead should be engaging, drawing the reader in and making them feel
invested in what the piece has to say.
C. Examples
Here are some examples of effective leads in different types of writing:
1. News Article:
"In a surprising turn of events, the city council has voted to approve a controversial new
development plan that has been the subject of intense debate for months."
2. Feature Article:
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"As the world becomes more and more digital, the art of letter writing has all but
disappeared. But for one small group of enthusiasts, the art of putting pen to paper is still
alive and well."
3. Opinion Piece:
"In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to lose sight of what's really important. But when it
comes to our health and well-being, there's no time like the present to start making
positive changes."
4. Creative Writing:
"The old house sat at the end of the winding road, its windows dark and foreboding. But
for those brave enough to venture inside, it held secrets beyond their wildest
imaginations."
A good lead is an essential element of effective writing, one that can make or break a piece. By
being clear, specific, interesting, relevant, and engaging, a writer can hook their reader from the
very beginning and keep them engaged throughout the entire piece.
News Script Body
A. Definition and purpose
The news script body is the main part of a news story that provides the essential details
and information about the event or topic being reported.
Its purpose is to deliver the facts and provide context to the audience so that they can
understand the significance of the news story.
B. Organization of the body
The body of a news script should be organized in a logical and coherent manner to make
it easy for the audience to follow and understand.
The most important information should be presented first, followed by additional details
and background information.
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The body can be organized using the inverted pyramid style, which prioritizes the most
important information and places it at the beginning of the story.
C. Tips for writing an effective body
Use clear and concise language to communicate the essential facts and details.
Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may confuse the audience.
Provide context and background information to help the audience understand the
significance of the news story.
Use quotes from reliable sources to add credibility and provide different perspectives on
the story.
Use active voice and avoid passive voice to make the story more engaging and dynamic.
D. Examples
Example 1: Body of a news story about a political scandal: "According to the leaked
documents obtained by our investigative team, the politician in question received over $1
million in illegal campaign contributions from a foreign government. The politician has
denied any wrongdoing, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Our sources indicate that an
investigation has been launched, and charges are expected to be filed in the coming
days."
Example 2: Body of a news story about a natural disaster: "The category 5 hurricane that
struck the coast yesterday has caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, and
infrastructure. According to local authorities, over 10,000 people have been evacuated,
and emergency services are working around the clock to provide relief to those affected.
The storm is expected to continue for the next 24 hours, and residents are advised to take
all necessary precautions to ensure their safety."
I. Definition and Purpose
A. Definition:
A news script conclusion is the final part of a news broadcast, which is typically
delivered by the anchor.
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The purpose of a news script conclusion is to summarize the main points of the news
story, provide context or background information, and leave a lasting impression on the
audience.
B. Characteristics of a Good News Script Conclusion:
A good news script conclusion should be concise, clear, and impactful.
It should reiterate the main points of the story and provide context for the audience to
understand the significance of the news.
It should also leave the audience with a final thought or reflection on the story.
C. Examples:
"And that's all for tonight's broadcast. Thank you for joining us. We'll be back tomorrow
with more news and updates on this developing story."
"That's it for this edition of our news. Join us again tomorrow for more updates on the
latest headlines. Until then, stay safe and stay informed."
"And with that, we wrap up our coverage of this breaking news story. Stay tuned for
more updates as they become available, and as always, thank you for trusting us to bring
you the news that matters."
I. Definition and Purpose A. Definition:
An outro is the final section of a music track or podcast episode, which typically includes
the last few seconds of the audio before it ends.
The purpose of an outro is to provide closure to the audio, leave a final impression on the
listener, and promote the artist or brand.
B. Characteristics of a Good Outro:
A good outro should be consistent with the overall tone and style of the audio.
It should include a clear call to action, such as inviting the listener to subscribe, leave a
review, or check out more content.
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It should also feature branding elements, such as the artist's name or logo, to reinforce
brand recognition.
C. Examples:
"Thanks for listening to this episode of our podcast. If you enjoyed it, be sure to
subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite platform. And don't forget to check out
our website for more content and resources."
"That's all for this music track. If you liked what you heard, be sure to follow me on
social media and check out my other tracks on streaming platforms. Thanks for
listening!"
"And with that, we come to the end of this episode. We hope you found it informative
and engaging. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more episodes like this, and visit
our website for additional resources and articles."
Additional Tips for Writing a Radio News Script
Radio news scripts must be written to grab the audience's attention quickly and deliver the
necessary information clearly and effectively. The following tips can be helpful in writing a
radio news script:
A. Keeping it concise
The radio news script must be written in a concise and clear manner. It is essential to use
short sentences and simple words that are easy to understand for the audience. The script
should convey the necessary information as quickly and efficiently as possible.
B. Using active voice
Active voice should be used in radio news scripts to make the content more engaging and
lively. The use of active voice makes the news sound more current and relevant to the
audience.
C. Keeping it relevant and timely
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The script should be focused on the most relevant and current news. It is important to
stay updated on the latest news and events and report on them in a timely manner.
D. Avoiding jargon and technical terms
Radio news scripts should avoid the use of jargon and technical terms that are difficult
for the audience to understand. The use of simpler words and phrases can help make the
news more accessible to a wider audience.
E. Practice and rehearsal
Practice and rehearsal are essential in ensuring a smooth delivery of the news script. It is
important to read the script aloud and make adjustments as necessary.
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References
"How to Make a Hit Podcast" by Rachel Corbett
"Podcasting For Dummies" by Tee Morris and Chuck Tomasi
"The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
"The Musician's Guide to Podcasting" by Bobby Owsinski
Barnas, Frank. "News Writing and Reporting for Today's Media." Routledge, 2016.
BBC Academy. (n.d.). Writing for radio - BBC Academy. Retrieved from
https://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/en/articles/art20130702112130916
Breen, M. (2014). The Radio News Script: Writing for Broadcasting (3rd ed.). New York: Taylor
& Francis Group.
Davis, R. A., & Baron, R. A. (2016). Understanding the Ethics of News: A Guide for Journalists
and Consumers. Routledge.
Hetherington, R., & Williams, B. (2019). Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and
Television News. Routledge.
Hickman, C., & Roberts, A. (2016). Writing for Journalists. Routledge.
Hughes, J. E., & Weiss, J. W. (2010). News Writing and Reporting for Today's Media. McGraw-
Hill.
O'Hara, R. (2016). The Newsroom: A Space of Decision-Making. Routledge.
Ostrowicki, C. (2020). Headlines, Deadlines, and Lies: A Handbook for the Aspiring Reporter.
Oxford University Press.
Oxford University Press.
Phillips, A. (2014). The Daily Miracle: An Introduction to Journalism. Oxford University Press.
Radio.co. (n.d.). How to Write a Radio Script: 7 Steps to Success. Retrieved from
https://radio.co/blog/how-to-write-a-radio-script.
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Tuchman, G. (1973). Making news by doing work: Routinizing the unexpected. American
Journal of Sociology, 79(1), 110-131.
Yopp, Jan Johnson and McAdams, Katherine C. "The Art of Technical Writing." Routledge,
2016.
Zelizer, B. (2010). Journalism after September 11. Psychology Press.
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