HOW TO MAKE A RADIO SCRIPT? - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

To write a radio script, you must take into account the objective of your program, the target audience, the presenter or presenters, the guests and the time you have to make the program.

Generally a program is structured in the introduction / welcome, development and final / goodbye. The introduction usually begins with the music of the show and commenting on what will be discussed in that show. Some presenters include a personal reflection or make references to previous chapters.

The development is made up of the different sections of the program; for example, the social gathering, interviews, questions and answers from listeners, biographies… The end of request usually thanks the listeners for staying until the end and remembers how long the next program is.

What do you have to take into account when writing a script?

The radio script is the written material that indicates the verbal and non-verbal action that the presenter and his collaborators will show in a radio program. It is used to have everything planned, avoid the occurrence of unforeseen events and be able to schedule announcements and the completion of the program.

The writing of a radio script is different than any other type of printed writing since it will be transmitted by auditory and not visual means.

The listeners have to be able to understand the transmitted message in one go, since in traditional radio it is not possible to reverse the sound.

This is why a script must be able to grab a listener's attention and retain it for as long as possible. Writing original stories is also different than writing news, as they allow the author to express himself in a more personal and creative way.

Like any other form of audiovisual medium, there are many areas and ways of doing radio. As a result, there is no single format for a script created for this medium.

The script will depend on the purpose or need with which it is created; a show, a story or a musical presentation. Regardless of the features, there are some rules to consider.

Important points for creating radio scripts

-The script organizes the information that has been collected to make the radio program.

-The script is the frame of reference to tell the story, news or events of the program.

-Helps the audience to process information in a more clear and understandable way.

-It must be written in short and simple sentences, with everyday language. It should not contain distracting concepts.

-An error often made when writing scripts is not writing it in a way that can be read naturally. A script should sound natural when read aloud. It is a mistake to write too formally. Always write with the thought of speaking naturally.

-When writing a radio script, try to keep it as simple as possible. Don't add unnecessary words or phrases that don't add anything to what you want to say. If the grammar is concise, clear, it will allow you to improvise, since the sentences will be more predictable. Also, with simple grammatical structures the radio presenter will sound natural.

-Whether you are commenting on a story or playing a joke on a collaborator of the program, the listeners are not seeing anything. This must be taken into account to describe what is necessary or add something that would not be necessary with the help of sight.

Script for a story

The process of creating a radio drama is the most complex that can be broadcast. Once the investigation and recording are complete, then the audio recording proceeds.

Transcription

This means that all recordings must be listened to and transcribed. These notes should be accompanied by the name of the character who is saying them and the time each one takes.

In this process, the portions that do not want to be used for one reason or another must also be discarded.

Selection of cuts

When the registration has been made, the tracks that want to be used begin to be selected. These, also known as cuts or extracts, should not exceed 30 seconds.

The time available on radio is very short and listeners have short attention spans, which makes long tracks heavy.

The clues should not only reflect what the characters are saying, but how they do it. These must fit together in order to unfold the story and make it more attractive.

Writing and developing the script

As the writing of the script begins, the idea of ​​how the story is going to sound once it is finished should also become clearer.

At this stage you must also select all the additional clips and the setting that you want to accompany the main story.

Also here the insights of experienced editors who can shed light on how it should be done are useful. The script is built based on the order in which the clues are thought to be used to be able to write around them

The most common way to start is with an anchor introduction, or the phrases that the announcer will use to introduce the created story.

This has the function of quickly putting the whole panorama in context without necessarily having to reveal much. It should also be able to introduce the producer or editor in charge of production.

As the narrative develops it is important that it have a beginning, a body and an end. There are several ways to keep the interest of a listener alive, such as changing the scene, throwing a question, strange sounds or the arrival of a new character.

Narrative elements such as suspense, omens, and scene movements that blend with the plot also come into play here.

The ending must also be carefully planned as it cannot be about a selected track or sound.

The presenter or editor is the one who must provide the last sentences, no matter how small they may be.

Musical show script

A radio music script should have far fewer premeditated passages and should focus more on notes and points that can guide the presenter through it.

Music shows on the radio are created to convey the feeling of improvisation as opposed to news or dramas, so the notes should allow for a more informal tone and more flowing conversations.

News script

Radio journalists must have the ability to select the best and most reliable audio tracks in order to write clear, computerized scripts that introduce the material that has been collected.

The script is the one that gives meaning to the collected sounds. It forms the framework under which all stories are to be developed and allows listeners to understand the significance of the points made by the people who have been interviewed.

Here are some tips on how to write a radio news script:

-The script should be kept simple and with short sentences. You should avoid using technicalities or complex phrases that can be confusing or distracting.

-It is an introductory solution to the audio tracks that have been included. This should tell the listener what he is about to hear without having to repeat the words that will be heard next.

-It must be kept close to the facts, without including personal comments or descriptive words. The journalist's emotions must be kept isolated.

-The function of the script in its entirety is to weave all the stories that are announced during the show without leaving any suggestion that one is more important than the other. This feature is the sole responsibility of the listener.

-Any data that is mentioned throughout the script must have been previously contrasted with other sources. If it is an interview, the data provided by the character must also be reviewed in search of flaws or inconsistencies.

-The introduction of the entire program should begin by pointing out the main point to be addressed. This must be complemented by the context that is created throughout the body. The end for its part must be framed within a fact and not on a vague line.

References

1. Macadam, Alison. NPR Training. What does a radio script look like? March 9, 2015. Recovered from training.npr.org.
2. Gilson, Dave. The Media Education Center. Writing a Radio Script. Recovered from wiki.williams.edu.
3. Nimic Productions. Tips for Writing an Effective Radio Script. Recovered from nimic.com.au.
4. BBC Writers Room. Writing Radio Drama. Recovered from bbc.co.uk.
5. Brewer, David. Tips for writing radio news scripts. December 5, 2011. Recovered from mediahelpingmedia.org.