The Basic Rules of Broadcast
News Writing*
- Grab the attention
of the listener/viewers in the opening line. Tell them why they should
care...but don't go into too much detail. Think: if I were to tell a friend,
in a crowded restaurant, why they should care about this story; what would
I say?
- Read your copy aloud.
Write in a conversational style. Write the way people talk, but use correct
grammar.
- Write simple sentences.
Avoid compound sentences.
- Put one important
thought in each sentence.
- Use present tense
when possible. Avoid time references unless necessary. Today is assumed.
Keep the time reference close to the verb.
- Avoid dependent clauses
at the beginning of sentences.
- Put titles in front
of names. NEVER put a title or identification phrase after the name.
Richmond Mayor Ann Durham not Ann Durham, mayor of Richmond.
- Do not use quotation
marks for speech.(that's what acutalities are for!) And do not say quote
. . .unquote. Convert quoted speech to indirect quotation.
- Put the speaker before
the quote. Attribution before assertion.
NO: The state is in debt the governor said. YES: The governor said the state
is in debt.
- Avoid starting the story
with the names of unfamiliar people.
- Avoid starting the story
with specific large numbers. Round off numbers. Don't use meaningless
numbers. Make sure important numbers relate to the audience: A five-story
building may be more visual than saying it is 65 feet tall.
- Don't abbreviate.
However you can use common acronyns like FBI or CIA. Where initials are to
be used and each letter pronounced, place dashes between the letters. N-C-A-A
I-R-S
- Don't use symbols.
Write out percent, dollars, cents...
*with thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Fraas, Eastern Kentucky University. Her list is
here