News production Unit: Good Writing Tips

The principles of good writing 

Have something to say
If you want to be a good writer you need to read books, poetry and newspapers

Churchill 'we shall fight on the beaches' speech
He mobilised the English language and sent it into battle
His speech has a punch and directness because its not written in classical forms
Repetition of "we shall fight"
Force yourself to write with one syllable only
Understand the medium- television, radio and print are all written differently
Words and sound effects combine in raidio to paint a picture

Canadian Inuit by Mike Donkin
Use of sound effects, language makes us picture whats happening
31st March 1999 BBC Radio 4 today

I you're clear in your mind the burden each sentence must carry you will be writing well

D-Day talk by Alan Little, BBC Radio 4 Boxing Day 2004
Archive sound footage with patriotic Scottish bagpipes music

Write, re-write and write again and each time simplify the language in which you're expressing it.

Word Play
Rule of three
Avoid repetition
Alliteration
Smilies and metaphors
Personification (avoid cliche)
Exaggeration
Relatable comparisons

THE 'PAGE F TEST'
Precise
Use language correctly!- SPAG (Spelling and grammar)
Make sure you use clarity in your story

Accurate
We have to make sure our facts are reliable and impartial in the way we've put them together
Get them to name check themselves
Ensure the information you have is up to date
Be aware of what you're quoting

Germane
Is it relevant?- Make sure everything you're doing builds your case
In order to do this you need to know your story
Clarify thoughts of your story
Know the aim

Equitable
Balance and objectivity
Its our job to present everything its the audience job to interpret it
Careful of how you treat people in them of sensitivity and awareness
Facts need to build your case

Flow
Think of the structure carefully and WALK THE VIEWER through your story
The writing- Using scripting to naturally linker corner turn from one point to the next

Sound is important to very story
Write it in the correct order
Write the LEA-IN first.

Write in the correct order

Leads and tags
Facts and figures
Good Graphics
Identify key questions
Have a lead i  first

How to write a good lead/tag

ATTENTION grabbing
Concise and not overload with facts
Have an active voice
Should be fresh
All creative writing
Conversational-should feel like normal conversation

Don't weight down, remember to keep them striking and well written
SHOCKING headline figure

Find an active voice-SVO method
Subject
Verb
Object

What a persons doing, what they do and the target of their actions
Conversation is really important
Slang and overly familiar language

Deliver what you've written
When finished go back and watch through and where you can make it better
Sometimes its  word or two, sometimes a phrase. Its about making it as good as it can be
To write the stuff you often need to go an a location recce to see the place not just for safety but to see what els you could visualise for the piece.

For live news and studio content it will usually be the producer responsible of seeing much of the writing.
You might be surprised to learn that the cool refreshing glass of fizzy drink you're enjoying could contain up to 14 teaspoons of sugar.

Headlines and Coming ups
Top story-heavy and important news
Subsequent order of importance


Headline and top script need to work together
When finished script read it out loud. Whats written down may not sound good when you hear it conversationally because if you're stumbling over the words the chances are the presenter will too.
The script should be more of a tease. Make sure they don't conflict with each other or compete with each other.

Make it easy to read

Headlines & coming ups

Scripting OOV/SOT
Any script will ind good quotes prepared for the edit. Driving someone really clearly to drive the viewers into hearing what they need to know
Additionally make sure the presenter is aware of when to stop reading the VO and allow the SOT to take over.you're finishing a piece you can't just end. Usually its the text to support it

Always leave extra shots

Scripting for a package
If possible work out key elements of your film on paper before filming.
Work out the shot list and any scripted elements such as the PTC.
Scripting will allow you to be sure you know what you need to shoot.
Infinite number of ways to tell a story

Keep it current

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