Writing for Radio

The Art of the Audio Essay
PWR 2 Fall Quarter 2007
Jonah G. Willihnganz
Stanford University

General Tips for Writing for Audio Broadcast.
Adapted from Melvin Mencher's News Reporting and Writing.

Broadcast vs. Print Copy

Since you will be writing for a weekly radio broadcast, you will need to know the differences in writing style for broadcast and print copy. When writing for broadcast, remember that listeners have only one chance to hear a story, as opposed to readers having limitless chances to study print copy. Keep the following broadcast writing guidelines in mind:

Use everyday language
Write short sentences
Use one idea to a sentence
Use the present tense if possible
Ususally confine stories to one major theme

Most broadcast stories are two to five sentences running 10 to 30 seconds. The broadcast writer's job is to convey the story idea without detail.

Examples of general broadcast writing tips:

Anchor a story with present or present perfect verbs in the lead:

WRONG: The state highway department announced yesterday that it will spend six million dollars this year improving farm-to-market roads. (past)
RIGHT: The state highway department says that it will spend six million dollars this year improving farm-to-market roads. (present)
RIGHT: The state highway department has announced that it will spend six million dollars this year improving farm-to-market roads. (present perfect)

Begin sentences with a source, with the attribution, if needed, and use paraphrased quotes:

WRONG: "The city is going to need new traffic lights beginning right now," the mayor said.
RIGHT: The mayor says the city needs new traffic lights.

Avoid starting a story with a participial phrase or a dependent clause:

WRONG: Hoping to keep the lid on spiraling prices, the president called today for wage-price guidelines to keep prices down.
RIGHT: The president is calling for wage-price guidelines to keep prices down.
WRONG: When the bill was passed, he was absent
RIGHT: He was absent when the bill was passed.

Use ordinary, one- and two-syllable words whenever possible:

WRONG: The unprecedented increase in profits led the Congress to urge the plan's discontinuance.
RIGHT: The record profits led Congress to urge an end to the plan

Use vigorous verbs:

WEAK: She walked slowly through the mud.
BETTER: She trudged through the mud.

Use active, not passive voice:

WEAK: He was shown the document by the lawyer.
RIGHT: The lawyer showed him the document.

This material was taken from Melvin Mencher's News Reporting and Writing textbook, which has been used as a reporting class textbook at Cowley College.