jour102broadcastwriting

7/29/2019 JOUR102BroadcastWriting

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BROADCAST WRITINGJOUR 102Wenger


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Key characteristics of broadcast writing

1. Write for the ear

-People get just one chance to hear

what you say-Read what youve written out loud


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1. Write for the ear

-People get just one chance to hear

what you say-Read what youve written out loud


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2. Be conversational

-Make the language as simple as

possible-Avoid jargon and content that is inside

baseball


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3. Write in future/present tense

-Broadcast is all about immediacy

-Tell people whats happening now orwhat is about to happen


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4. Write in short, declarative sentences

-One idea per sentence

-Be as concise as possible, eliminateunnecessary words

-Perfect the art of editing yourself


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5. Write in active voice

-What is it?

-The subject of the sentence performs orcauses the action expressed by the verb


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A word about attribution

In broadcast writing, attribution often

comes first

According to the provosts office, classes will becanceled

The mayor thinks the changes will help the

economy.


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Lets listen
http://www.npr.org/


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Lets write


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One option

The presidential candidates are

stepping up preparations for their first

debate on Wednesday. Present tense

Active voice

Short (13 words vs. 30)

Conversational

Written for the ear


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Lets write


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One option

The Taliban is taking responsibility for

a bomb that killed fourteen people and

injured dozens in Afghanistan. Present tense

Active voice

Short (17 words vs. 48)

Conversational

Written for the ear


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Broadcast Writing Recap

The best broadcast writers exercise

selection, not compression

Over the next two weeks, well be workingon how to select the most important

details from the information you gather

and present it in broadcast style

jour102broadcastwriting

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