Still, the writing must exhibit the same characteristics as all media writing: accuracy, completeness, efficiency and precision. But the rules for writing for broadcast are different, and so are some of the considerations you must make as a writer.

In this section you will learn that efficiency is one of the characteristics of writing that receives most attention in writing for broadcasting.

The major points of the lecture are:

• 
  Timeliness and efficiency are two of the core values of broadcast writing.
  
  
• Broadcast copy is written for the ear and not the eye.
  
  
• The main form of writing news for broadcast is dramatic unity.

More lecture notes, etc.

Readings

Read Chapter 7 of Writing for the Mass Media. Make sure you understand all of the concepts and practices discussed there. And look here for more readings about writing for broadcast.


Reading room

Broadcast writing examples. Analyzing and imitating the writing that you find here is a good way of learning how to write in this form. Notice the short sentences and absence of detail in these examples. Also notice any weaknesses you find in these examples, and try to answer the questions that go along with them.

Edward R. Murrow. One of the first great broadcast journalists was Edward R. Murrow. Find out more about him.

Radio plays. Radio drama was a popular form of entertainment in the first half of the 20th century. What’s this got to do with writing for broadcast?