BASIC BROADCAST STYLE RULES & GUIDELINES:

1. ALL copy must be typed on standard size paper. Use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, no lower case when writing R-TV news copy.

 

2. Double-space all copy.

 

3. Page layout: ALL copy must have, in the upper left hand corner, a Slug, the writer's Name and the Date, each on a separate line, single-spaced.

 

4. Use end marks (###) to indicate the end of each story. Use (-more-) if you copy must continues onto additional pages.

 

5. Type and print only ONE STORY on each page, and do not use backsides of paper.

 

6. In news copy, underline words that require special emphasis. Example: The President's plan now calls for four years of service, not three. Do not use this technique very often. Save it for important clarifications.

 

7. Never split words or hyphenate phrases from one line to the next in news copy.

 

8. Use short, simple, conversational sentences. This helps others (like anchors) read your writing smoothly while under stress. Do not run on and on and on. Write the way we talk...SIMPLY.

 

9. Use present-tense verbs in the lead sentence to help the copy sound fresh, new, and with the latest information. Don't force it. Avoid the active tense if the wording would sound silly.

(Example, Present-tense: “The investigation continues into a fire that has left a Mesquite family homeless.” Past-tense: “A fire last night heavily damaged a Mesquite family’s home.”)

 

10. Use present-tense verbs THROUGHOUT the story whenever

possible. Past-tense verbs tend to suggest older news / information.

Use present-tense verbs unless info would sound silly, inaccurate, or misleading.

 

11. Use active voice.  This is the “subject-verb-object” sentence structure.  Example: THE BOY HIT THE BALL. 

 

12. Avoid passive voice. Example: THE BALL WAS HIT BY THE BOY.

 

NOTE: Sometimes passive voice is acceptable, when the receiver of the action is overwhelmingly the focus of the story. Example: PRESIDENT LINCOLN WAS ASSASSINATED LAST NIGHT AT FORD’S THEATER.

 

13. Use direct quotes (the exact words a person speaks) very sparingly. Think it through and decide how unique/special/important the exact wording is. In most cases, just paraphrase the comment.

 

 

14. For strong, unique, or out of the ordinary comments indicate

a direct quote as follows: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS – QUOTE -- THE  TERRORISTS HAVE ONE DAY TO COMPLY, OR ELSE -- END QUOTE.

 

15. Use the FIRST AND LAST NAMES of people in a news story the FIRST time they are mentioned. Thereafter in that story, use the last name to refer to that person, OR some other creative reference. Example: MICHAEL JORDAN (the first time)...THE SIX-TIME N-B-A CHAMPION (the second time)...JORDAN (the third time)...THE FORMER CHICAGO BULL

FORWARD (the fourth time)...back to JORDAN...etc.

 

16. NO UNFAMILIAR NAMES OR REFERENCES IN LEADS.

Look for and use a familiar reference most listeners or viewers would grasp immediately. Example: “A Commerce teacher …”  “A Dallas businessman …” Use that in the lead sentence. After the lead, then you can introduce the unfamiliar names, references, etc.

 

17. TITLES & DESCRIPTIVES GO BEFORE THE NAME

in broadcast copy. (i.e. Instead of : Bob Rucker, Associate Professor of

Journalism … in broadcast copy say: JOURNALISM PROFESSOR BOB RUCKER.)

 

18. Special titles / references:  (To show proper respect...say: PRESIDENT BUSH  (or)  MR. BUSH (in the second reference) or  THE PRESIDENT; FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH (first reference. Then: MRS. BUSH;  POPE BENEDICT THE 16TH (or)  THE POPE (or) THE HOLY FATHER.

 

To show proper respect for another head of state…put MISTER in front of the name when not using their title…i.e….British Prime Minister Tony Blair (first reference), then say MR. BLAIR.

 

For others, do not use “Mr., Mrs., etc.”

 

19. Use only FAMILIAR ABBREVIATIONS like: F-B-I,   C-I-A,   Y-W-C-A, Y-M-C-A,  U-N,  C-N-N, etc.

 

NOTICE: If the individual letters of the abbreviation should be pronounced, hyphenate the abbreviation (F-B-I).  But some are said like words: ( NATO, AIDS ). If it is to be pronounced as a word, don’t hyphenate.

 

If the abbreviation is not commonly known, do not use it on first reference. Spell out the full meaning the first time, then abbreviate.

 

20.  Round off numbers EXCEPT when the number count is significant in the story (i.e., the death toll in a plane crash, heat related deaths, etc.) Example: AMERICANS WILL SPEND MORE THAN 50-BILLION DOLLARS ON CHOCOLATE THIS YEAR … ABOUT TEN-THOUSAND AMERICANS PLAY MINIATURE GOLF EACH WEEK.

 

21. SPELL OUT NUMBERS UP TO & INCLUDING ELEVEN, then use numerals (i.e. zero, one, two...eleven, 12, 13, ...66,...501...711... 999; first, second, third,...eleventh, 12th, etc.)

 

SPELL OUT "THOUSAND," "MILLION," etc. (i.e. five-thousand, ten-million, 13-hundred, 56-thousand, 98-million, 111-billion.)

 

NOTE: For numbers in the low thousands (1,500; 3,500, etc.) it is more conversational to say “15-hundred” or “35-hundred” instead of “one-thousand, 500” or “three-thousand-500.”  In such cases, you would spell out the word “hundred” (as shown).

 

22. TIME references: Follow the basic rules above, hyphenate, and specify "in the morning, evening or tonight." Do NOT use" am" or "pm." (i.e. two-15 this morning, noon, seven-45 this evening, at eleven tonight, midnight.)

 

23. Use 'ST' , 'RD' , 'TH' , and 'ND' appropriately after dates, addresses,

and other unique number references. (i.e. NORTH 45TH STREET, )

 

24. Ages (when relevant) go BEFORE names, and are hyphenated:  (i.e. 78-YEAR-OLD BOB DOLE, TWO-MONTH OLD SUSAN LAKE).

 

NOTE: Often, a person’s age is not relevant to the story.  Example, not relevant: THE 36-YEAR-OLD MURDER SUSPECT … Example, relevant: THE 97-YEAR-OLD MURDER SUSPECT …

 

25. After using the exact word, USE A PRONOUNCER AFTER, to help

with saying difficult words: PRIME MINISTER IZATOOTE (ee-za-TOO-tee) IS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

 

26. HAND EDIT ALL COPY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR COPY FOR AIR USE.

Completely darken out mistakes or words you do not want aired. ACCURACY IS! Correct spelling, fact, and other errors. Be thorough. Take pride in your writing.

 

JOURNALISM MAJORS: Copy editing marks mean nothing to broadcasters.

 

27. CREATIVITY RULES: ALL copy can be written more than one way.

Never tell yourself there is no other way to say something. Rewrites require changing leads, story structure, shuffling content, etc. Good writers enjoy the challenge of saying the same thing a different way.

 

28. PROFESSIONAL FLEXIBILITY & STYLES. Each broadcast news operation works its own way, and usually develops its own identity and on-air style of reporting. (ie, ESPN writing is different from Local TV sports writing.) Pros are expected to adapt quickly to changes, and not let it bother them. JUST DO IT. You WILL notice changes in your advance broadcast classes. ADJUST QUICKLY!

 

Introduction : broadcast communication : Print vs Broadcast

PRINT VS BROADCAST

Print

Writers for the mass media always work at two task: gathering information and putting that information into an acceptable form. Having the proper information- all the relevant facts of a story, the proper identification for the people involved, the times and dates, accurate direct quotations, and so on – is vital to the writing process, but it is only the beginning. There comes a time when the information gathering must cease and the writing must begin.

 

Broadcast

Broadcasting is the world’s most pervasive medium of mass communication. It is not unusual for the American home to receive fifty or more television channels via its cable system or satellite dish. A person who wants to succeed in the field of broadcasting needs to have intelligence, diligence, dependability- and the ability to write. Even though broadcasting is an audiovisual medium, almost everything you hear or see in the way of news or entertainment has been written down. The occasions for ad libbing before the cameras are relatively rare, and rehearsed. Broadcasters consider air time too valuable to leave to chance. Even reporters doing live news spots often work from notes and have a good understanding of the forms of writing for the medium.

 

 

Summary

Writing for broadcasting is similar in many ways to writing for the print media, but there are some important differences. Those differences concern the way in which news is selected for broadcast, the characteristic of writing and story structure, and the style with which the information is presented.

 

Print and electronic Media writing

Similarities exist between good writing for print and electronic media. The media themselves- primarily radio and television- dictate some differences in format and approach for their particular audiences. Writers need copy that is readable and that can be heard.

 

Similarities

1The writing process.

Broadcast reporters start with an idea, do research and interviews, the produces copy that is well written and relevant to their audiences. The writing process stage of outlining is critical for electronic media writers, who must plan a story before they leave the scene of an event. They must have a variety of visual shots to illustrate their stories as well as an outline so they can get necessary audio, such as a quote from a country commissioner, or video, perhaps a shot of fire trucks, that will be needed to produce the final story package.

 

2News values

Electronic media writing is no exception. Timeless is the most critical news element for electronic media. Radio and television, because of their ability to broadcast live, can get information out to audiences as news events occur. Immediacy is the key. For a news clip to last throughout a 24-hour cycle, the event must be compelling. In radio and television, news that happened in the morning may be old in the afternoon, whereas newspaper can and do print yesterday’s news. Conflict is another key news value for electronic journalism. Viewing conflict firsthand on television can make an audience remember a story for a lifetime.

 

3Clear, Concise writing

The rules of using short sentences, active voice, and short words, avoiding jargon and technical language, cutting wordiness, and getting to the point quickly are particularly critical in broadcast writing. Broadcast stories are generally shorter than those in print. Whereas a print news story may use 120 words to tell an event, a broadcast report may have to condense the account to 15 seconds. Newscasters read about 10 words in 4 seconds; a 15-seconds broadcast story is about 35 words long. Every word counts, therefore, and language must be clear and precise.

 

4Research

Like print reporters, electronic reporters develop sources and do research and interviews. Research can be more difficult. Print reporters can access stories in library files or on computer databases fairly quickly. Electronic media reporters must review tapes to learn what the station may have covered before – a time – consuming  process. Most electronic reporters do not accumulate clips and files they can readily consult. Television stations, for example, have file footage, but those archives are not as extensive as are newspaper libraries or morgues.

 

Differences

1Deadlines

Reporters for electronic media often work under tighter deadlines. Print reporters may have a 7pm deadline for a morning newspaper, whereas a television reporter must have a story on the air at 5 pm. The television reporter also may be producing several stories for that evening broadcast, perhaps two news briefs and one package that includes a standup, or appearance, by the reporter.

 

2 Writing structure

Radio and Tele reports are shorter than print versions, they must be written to be understood the first time. They have only one chance to be heard. And they must make it through clutter. Most radio and television audiences are doing other things: driving the car, listening to children’s voices, cooking dinner.

Electronic media reporters start a story with a headline to grad listener or viewer attention. Then they give a lead to the story, which generally sets up the context for the story. Next comes explanation. The wrap-up usually focuses on the possible effects. For tele, the entire story may run an average 30 seconds; for radio, the report may be only 20 seconds.

In addition to writing the story for tele and even radio, the reporter will have to write several advance headlines or teasers that anchors can use to promote an upcoming newscast. In a teaser, reporters give only enough information about a story to make viewers watch it later. For example, a story may need a teaser or lead-in during an afternoon newsbreak, plus another teaser or a lead- in just before 6pm news. Then a reporter must write a lead- in for anchors before being introduced. Finally, a reporter will give her own lead on the story. All are different, gradually adding information without revealing the entire story.

 

3Style

Electronic media writer adopt a more conversational style in writing their articles. Often the style is narrative and more like telling a story to listeners. For example, reporter might use contraptions in sentences. A more casual style still requires clear, concise writing.

 

4Format

In tele reports, copy fills the right- hand side of the page; cues for the technical members of the crew appear in the left- hand column. Abbreviations, such as VO for voice-over when the announcer or reporter switches from the studio to the videotape, are indicated in the left-hand column.

 

Some broadcast journalists type in all caps, but others prefer upper- and lower-case. Paragraphs are not split between pages, and each story is typed on a separate page. Specific style rules on how to use abbreviations, numbers, and attribution are explained later in the chapter.

 

5cost

Print journalists need computers and printing presses. Tele reporters require editing equipment, studios, and satellite dishes. Radio reporters are on the economical end of electronic media production, requiring less in house equipment to air their broadcast.

 

Lead and structure

 

Broadcast

Writing for electronic media means writing for the ear; using short sentences, having speech that is more conversational, following a subject-verb-object sentence order, having copy that is clear and understandable, and putting smooth, clear transitions between thoughts. Let’s look at producing  broadcast copy, following these guidelines

Introduction & creative preparation.

Introduction & creative preparation.

 

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

(Maya Angelou on the untold story)

 

Ideas carry a society forward. The ideas of freedom, independence, individualism, religion, and social order first existed in the minds of men and women but have been crystallized for us by great writers and thinkers Thomas Jefferson.

 

The written word is one of the most powerful forces available to human. It has the ability to carry ideas and information, to entertain and distract, and to change the lives of individuals and nations. The person who wants to write rarely realizes he power that is contained in writing. Yet it is there- and available to those who have the information and ideas and who are clever and hardworking enough to learn to write well.

 

How do you write well?  Outside the classroom, we were writing in our diaries or writing thank you letter .

 

How do you gather together the words that will convey the information, ideas, or feeling you want to give to the reader? How do you write well?

 

The first step to good writing is recognizing this essential point.

 

 

1 What is good writing ?

Food writing , especially good writing for the mass media, is clear, concise, simple, and to the point. It  transmits in formation, ideas, and feeling to the reader clearly but without overstatement. Good writing is writing that outlines pictures of ides that readers can fill in with their imagination.

- It uses the minimum number of words to make its point. It doesn’t waste the reader’s time.

-Use words for their exact meaning ; they do not throw words around carelessly.

-It leaves no doubt or confusion in the reader’s mind about its meaning.

Good writing is modest. It does not draw attention to itself. Good writing does not try to show off the writer’s  intelligence. It lets the content speak for itself, and it allows readers to receive messages directly. Writing should not get in the way of what people need and want to read.

 

2 Getting ready to write

Prewriting process is developing a sense of what it means to communicate with a mass audience. Writers should understand that they are no longer writing for individuals but for a larger audience.

Much writing done in K-12 education is justified as a means of self-expression for students. This kind of writing is a valuable exercise for all individuals, but in the mass media environment, there is relatively little room for self-expression. Audiences are interested in the information and ideas that a writer possesses, not in how the writer feels or in what the writer thinks. This fact drives the spare, unadorned style of writing that the media demand.

Would-be writers for the mass media should understand enough about the process of writing to know that they can always improve, that they can always do better. They must view their craft with a generous dose of humility. Every writer, no matter how experienced or talented, begins with a black page or an empty computer screen. The writer must put the words there, and no amount of experience or talent guarantees success. A good writer should always be willing to do whatever it takes to improve in the craft.

 

3. Know the tools of the trade.

For writers, knowledge of the rules of grammar and spelling is mandatory. (Not all writers have to be great spellers, but they should know the rules, and they should always work with a dictionary close at hand.) Writers must know the precise meanings of words and how to use words precisely; although they do not have to use every word they know, having a variety available gives the writer extra tools to use id needed.

Writers must not only know the language but must also understand and be genuinely interested in it.

 

4. Know the subject

Writers must understand thoroughly what they are writing about, or readers will not understand what they have written. Beginning writers frequently have trouble with this most basic requirement of good writing. They sometimes believe that they can write their way through a subject that just getting the words down is enough. Find out what you need to know. Ask questions of people who do know. Look for information.

 

5. Write it down

You cannot be a writer unless you put words on paper or on a computer screen. People can think, talk, and agonize all nigh about what they would like to write. They can read and discuss; they can do research and even make notes. But no one is a writer until ideas become words and sentences become paragraphs. At some point, the writer must sit down and write.

 

6. Edit and rewrite

Good writers have the discipline to reread, edit, and rewrite. Writer must constantly ask whether the writing can be clearer, more precise, and more readable. And writers should have the courage to say, “This isn’t what I wanted to say” or even “this isn’t very good”.

 

I try only to write clearly, and I have the very good fortune to think clearly so that the writing comes out as I think, in satisfactory shape.

 

(Isaac Asimov on thinking and writing clearly)

 

 

 

 

Basic Techniques

 

1Write simply

This is a thought you will see repeatedly in this book. The key to clarity is simplicity. A clear, simple writing style is not the exclusive possession of a few gifted writers. Such a style can be achieved by students who are just beginning a writing career. The power of simple writing is immense. The following quotations are famous because they convey powerful message in clear and simple language:

 

 

These are the times that try men’s souls. (Thomas Paine, 1776)

 

Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose. ( Gertrude Stein, 1913)

 

I have a dream. (Martin Luther King, jr., 1963)

 

2Use simple words

Short words are not only handier to use but more powerful in effect.

 

Sample

I never write” metropolis” for seven cents because I can get the same price for “city”. I never write “policeman” because I can get the same money for “cop”

 

(Mark twain on using simple words.)

 

 

3Use simple sentences

Simple sentence is a good tool for cleaning up muddy writing. Exp “she was shot through the right lung after confronting a woman married to her ex-husband inside the food world store on bank head highway. Shortly before 1pm, she confronted the woman married to her ex-husband. She was shot through the right lung.”

 

It has no substitute, and its absence will not be excused by readers or listener.

 

 

4Use familiar words rather than unfamiliar words

Writers should not try to educate their readers by introducing them to new words. Such writing slows the reader down; it makes the reader think about the writing rather than the content; and it eventually drives the reader away.

 

5Vary sentence type and length

There are 4 kinds of sentence structure: simple, complex, compound, and compound- complex. Following are some sample.

Simple: Alex wrote a letter to his friend.

Compound: Alex wrote a letter, and he mailed it the next day.

Complex: Alex wrote a letter that contained his confession to the crime.

Compound and complex: Alex wrote a letter than contained his confession, and he mailed it the next day.

 

Writers should not overuse is the inverted sentence. A good example of this kind of sentence is the previous sentence- as in this sentence. The inverted sentence puts the subject at the end rather than the beginning and is not a good idea for media writing. Writers should convey ideas and information to readers quickly and efficiently.

 

6Pay Attention to nouns and verbs

 

7transition tie together what you have written.

Readers should be able to read through a piece of writing without stops or surprise. Introducing a new idea or piece of information without adequately tying it to other part of a story is one way to stop reader cold.

 

Writing for the mass media

 

Writing for the mass media differs from other forms of writing in several aspects.

 

Subject Matter

Writers for the mass media must take on wide variety of subjects and use a variety of formats, including news stories, feature stories, advertisements , letters, and editorials.

 

Purpose

Writing for the mass media has three major purposes: to inform, entertain, or persuade.

 

Audience

Mass media writing is often directed at a wide audience, and this fact dictates not only the subject matter but also the way in which something is written.

 

Circumstances of writing

Writing for the mass media often takes place in presence of others who are doing the same thing. The writing is frequently done under deadline pressure, and many times several people will have a hand in writing and editing a particular item for the mass media.

MCD 3024 News writing for Electronic Media

CREATIVE IS THE KEY OF LEARNING

Introduction

 

Welcome to E-Media. The subject has been designed to introduce and familiarize students with the basic proves of producing News Writing for electronic media in a systematic manner and with special focus on the readers; beginning introduction & creative preparation, how do you gather together the words that will convey the information, ideas, or feeling you want to give to reader?

 

Furthermore the topics that we will be covering in this subject will be useful in helping us understand how E-media be able to communicate specific messages to their audiences in any given media. This subject will also try to include as much as possible real-life working situations which professionals in the copyrighter, Script writer, and media go through(such as planning, research, write and in some cases produce, short and medium length, broadcast or pint news quality) so as prepare the student interested in the News writing  industry for a successful if not smooth transition from college to working life.

 

I will be your guide to help you apply your relevant opinions to the ones you experience from the readings and viewing of concept. You will be contributing greatly to your understanding of what this subject will teach you. I’ll be there to guide you to reach your full potential!

 

RECOMMENDED TEXT

Writing for the mass media. 6^th edition ( James Glen Stonvall)

 

Course Objective

The aim of this subject is to give students a sense of ease and technical familiarity with a range of written communication in electronic forms, distinguish carious forms and structures of electronic writing and to help students see how they differ from conventional forms and structures or print writing .

 

It also aids students to collaboratively develop criteria for good and bad writing within evolving electronic forms, with an eye toward developing strategies developing strategies to monitor and adjust for future media permutations as well as to raise student awareness of the social and political implications of structural media metaphors and assumptions, in order to make explicit the sometimes hidden or disguised power moves of online groups and individuals.

 

ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN

Assignment                                           35%

Class Activities                         10%

Quiz                                                     15%

Final Exam                                           40%

Total                                                    100%

 

Final Exam (40%)

You are required to be part of a team consisting of five people. The team Must produce a 5-10 minute film based on a story board the team been develop seen mid term exam. The team final product must be submitted in Quicktime format and burn it into CD and submit on Week 10. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC FAILURE FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM IN THIS CATEGORY.

 

Week By Week Topics

 

Week1             :           Introduction & creative preparation

 

Week2             :           Introduction: Broadcast communication: Print vs Broadcast

 

Week3             :           Writing and production

 

Week4             :           Script Mechanics

 

Week5             :           Mid term EXAM

Beyond the writing: Law/ Ethics and fairness

 

Week6             :           Mid term Break

 

Week7             :           Broadcast News(radio)

 

Week8             :           Broadcast News(tele)

 

Week9             :           Web development

 

Week10           :           Commercials & Public service anoouncements

 

Week11           :           Writing for Corporate video & educational programs

 

Week12           :           Talk, Interview and discussion programs

 

Week13           :           Dramatic programs

 

Week14           :           Documentary and feature programs

 

Week15           :           Final Examination

 

PLAIGIARISM & COLLUSION

Plagiarism constitutes using the work of another without referencing that the ideas expressed are not of your own. Collusion constitutes joint effort between students or others in preparing materials for assessment/projects. If you are not sure which referencing system to use, please consult your lecturer.

Tutorial Attendance & Participation

Attendance is compulsory for both lectures as well as tutorials. If there should be any reasons for you not being able to attend any lectures or tutorials, please notify your lecture beforehand. If you fall sick, do get your mc/note and bring it to your lecturer the next lesson. Students will be barred from sitting for the final exam if they do not maintain attendance 80%( more than three absenteeism). Students are encouraged to read more magazine.

 

DATELINE

 All late work will be penalized. It simply is not fair to ignore tardiness when other students in the class work so hard to complete their assignments on time. Students are required to submit each projects before or on a certain dateline. The students are required to get an authorized permission from lecturer if they wish to extend the certain dateline with an acceptable reason(usually medical).

Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education.