❌ “A conflagration erupted at the downtown precinct.”
✔️ “A fire broke out at the downtown police station.”
Structure of a TV News Script
Every script needs:
Lead-in (Anchor intro)
Narration
Sound bites (SOTs)
Sign-off / Tag
Tip: Think in 10–15 second chunks.
The Lead-In – Hook the Viewer
The intro sets the tone.
Be clear, catchy, and informative.
Example:
✔️ “It was meant to be a celebration — but it turned into chaos.”
Avoid jargon or too much detail up front.
Writing to Video
Broadcast journalists need to write concise, engaging stories that can be read aloud on television or radio.
Multi-Platform Reporting: Broadcast journalists often report on stories for both television and radio, meaning they need to be comfortable with using different mediums.
Features of Broadcast Journalism
Video Editing: Broadcast journalists who work in television need to be able to edit video footage and combine it with interviews, music, and other elements for their stories.
Technical Skills: Broadcast journalists need to be comfortable with using audio and video equipment, as well as editing software.
Writing to Video
Always write to the pictures.
Let visuals do the talking.
Tip: Don’t describe what viewers can already see. Add context, not duplication.
Example: (Video: Flooded streets)
✔️ “This is what residents woke up to this morning after heavy rain battered the city overnight.”
Use of Natural Sound & SOTs
NAT Sound adds realism.
SOTs (Sound On Tape) add authenticity.
Write around SOTs, don’t repeat them.
Example:
SOT: “We barely had time to grab our kids and run.”
Narration: “Families fled with just the clothes on their backs.”
Language Matters
Use active voice.
Use present tense for immediacy.
Be precise, avoid adjectives unless impactful.
Example:
✔️ “Police arrest the suspect after a tense standoff.”
✖️ “The suspect was eventually apprehended by police.”
Clarity Over Complexity
No acronyms, jargon, or complex stats.
Use simple comparisons.
Example:
✖️ “The cyclone reached wind speeds of 160 km/h. ”
✔️ “That’s as fast as a speeding train.”
Script & Timing
3 words = 1 second on screen.
Write for time, not length.
90-second story = 270 words.
Tip: Read your script aloud while timing it.
Final Thoughts
TV writing = Show + Tell, not just Tell.
Be conversational.
Write for visuals.
Always check facts and timing.
“If it sounds like writing, rewrite it.” – Elmore Leonard