Writing for Broadcast
Chapter 18
Print/Broadcast Differences
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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
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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-todate info
Broadcast stories are
written for length of
time: 30 sec., 2 min.,
etc.
Print/Broadcast Similarities
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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
Broadcast Writing Guidelines
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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
Broadcast Writing Tips
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Add phonetic spelling
to ensure proper
pronunciation: Bowfort, 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
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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
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
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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:
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