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Television Production & Broadcast Journalism
care, and what makes this story unusual or different. In the previous “Shoe
Drive” example, using feet and shoes as the main images in the story could
be an interesting approach to the story for both the reporter and the viewer.
The language used to write the story should allow the audience to under-
stand and care about the story, as well.
One angle that is frequently used is to tell a story through a character. The
reporter chooses a person who is part of the event or affected by the topic of the
story and uses that person as the “face” of the story. Taking this angle personal-
izes events, issues, and conflicts, and allows viewers to identify with the char-
acter. For example, a story about minimum wage jobs could focus on statistics
(such as income, living expenses, and number of people with minimum wage
jobs). However, when the topic is examined through a day in the life of a single
mother with a minimum wage job, statistics become personal and the story has
a face and significance with the viewing public. The character can tell the story
from fi rsthand experience, which the reporter cannot do.
Newswriting Fundamentals
Chapter 8, Scriptwriting addressed the type of writing necessary for var-
ious kinds of non-news programs. Newswriting is different from the writ-
ing style used for other program types. However, one concept that applies
to all types of scriptwriting is the kind of language used. In scriptwriting,
informal language is used to write the way people speak. This also applies
to writing stories for news programs and is called “writing for the ear.”
Reporters should have command of language, sentence structure,
grammar, and vocabulary, and should actively search for the precise right
words to use in a story. The language used in a news story needs to be
simple and direct, so the meaning is understood the fi rst time it is heard.
Sentences should be short and should not contain long clauses. Remember,
not all television viewers can rewind the program and re-play something
they did not understand the fi rst time. While some viewers may use their
DVR to rewind and replay something they want to hear again, viewers
should not need to listen twice to understand the information.
For newswriting, use simple sentences written in active voice, rather than
passive voice. Also, use simple subject-verb-object sentence construction.
• Active: “The stunt car hit the ramp, fl ew through the air, and landed
in the pile of hay bales. The driver climbed out and waved to the
crowd.” “The mayor called a city council meeting.”
• Passive: “After going up the ramp, through the air, and landing in
hay bales, the driver climbed out and waved to the crowd.” “A city
council meeting has been called by the mayor.”
Try to avoid using forms of the verb “to be” coupled with a past participle,
such as “has been called.” These phrases typically make a sentence passive.
Use present tense as much as possible. The very nature of news does
not always lend itself to telling a story in present tense, but using the pres-
ent tense engages the interest of the audience.
• “The police are investigating last night’s accident on Route 13, which
resulted in one fatality.”
• “Governor Jones says that…”
• “The Health Department urges consumers to …”