Deck 11: Preparing Broadcast Copy

Question 1

Writing is the essential ingredient in radio and television news broadcasting. No matter how dramatic the sounds or visuals, it is the writing quality-interesting leads and crisp copy-that attracts and holds listening and viewing audiences.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Radio-TV copy is written for the ear, not the eye, giving it far fewer limitations than for print copy.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Broadcast copy is governed by the clock, which means that time is often the key determining factor in how a story will be written.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What are some of the rules for what and how to cut from a story in order to bring it to
desired length?

Question 5

In broadcast copywriting, write as you speak: write conversationally and explain complex events in understandable language.

Question 6

Good broadcast copy should have rhythm and cadence, an ordered flow of sounds that makes it interesting.

Question 7

For radio, you are painting a word picture; for television, you are creating a fusion of words and visuals.

Question 8

Broadcast news copy, by its nature, is more formal than newspaper copy, but not so formal as to lose less educated members of the audience.

Question 9

What is the "Rule of 20"?

Question 10

Not every broadcast sentence should be the same length. Variation in sentence length gives copy rhythm and a pleasing flow.

Question 11

In broadcast writing, keep sentences brief, energetic and simple, with only one thought or idea to each sentence.

Question 12

Avoid the use of sentence fragments. They confuse listeners.

Question 13

What are some words to avoid in broadcast copywriting?

Question 14

Choose the most important element of a story and make that your lead. In writing, think about how you would share the information with a friend.

Question 15

There are three basic types of broadcast leads. Name them and briefly describe each.

Question 16

What is a soft lead and why is it used in broadcast news copy?

Question 17

Whenever possible, broadcast leads should begin with names: names make news; go with "who."

Question 18

Don't begin broadcast copy with numbers, figures or facts crucial to the story.

Question 19

Clarity is important in broadcast copywriting. Clarity for those who read the copy over the air, and for those who listen or watch the reports.

Question 20

What is a pronouncer and how is it used?

Question 21

As in print writing, use strong subject-verb-object sentences with action verbs. Use the active voice, starting the sentence with the person or thing that did the action.

Question 22

Personal pronouns should be used sparingly in radio-TV writing, and when used should be close to whatever they refer.

Question 23

Broadcast writing differs from print writing in that verb tenses can be mixed, because radio-TV copy often describes events that are taking place now, have taken place, or will take place.

Question 24

Broadcast writing uses long descriptive clauses, participial phrases or modifying phrases and clauses at the beginning of sentences, for these make for good "soft" leads.

Question 25

Simplicity in broadcast writing means avoiding the use of big, formal words. If others use them, simplify them. If they are necessary, then carry them inside quotation marks so that the announcer can change inflection for emphasis.

Question 26

What are transitions, and why are they used?

Question 27

The best rule for abbreviations is

Question 28

Times have changed: it's now acceptable to use dialects in broadcasting and, with the advent of "shock jocks" in radio, profanity and obscenities are permitted to be used on the air if the language was used while recording a news event.

Question 29

In writing broadcast copy, eliminate the comma except for places where the announcer should pause.

Question 30

Quotations should be used frequently in broadcast copy so that listeners will know what news sources had to say. Quotes can easily be identified when listening because a good announcer will change voice inflection when reaching phrases enclosed by quotation marks.

Question 31

Unlike print writing, begin sentences with attribution to enhance credibility, especially where the statement may be controversial.

Question 32

How do you make statistics, figures and numbers understandable in broadcast copy?

Question 33

One of the things that makes a news producer's job easier is that copy doesn't have to be rewritten if there are no new developments in a story. You're dealing with a different audience between the noon newscast and the drive-home audience, as well as different demographics between the early and late TV newscasts.

Question 34

Freshening news copy, even if there are no new developments, subtly tells listeners and viewers that your news operation is staying on top of stories and implies that when there are new developments, listeners will hear it first from your station.

Question 35

While working journalists often find many stories to be routine, you can't let your writing become routine. Each story should be composed with an interesting blend of writing techniques: lead with what is most important, tell as many of the details as possible, and give the significance of the news story.

Question 36

Being able to scoop the newspaper is one of the joys of working in broadcasting, so when a news flash or bulletin comes across the wire service, get it on the air immediately!

Question 37

Some news producers suggest building a newscast of "peaks and valleys" of information, since audiences cannot be hammered with one bad or fact-filled story after another throughout most of the newscast.

Question 38

News programs should have an ebb and flow, with some hard news stories mixed with lighter feature material, some of which may be suggested or provided by public relations professionals.

Question 39

Avoid editorializing in news copy. Just write and report the news and leave the interpretations to the listeners or to commentators.

Question 40

Which is "better"? Print, broadcast or online news? Why?