Beginning Radio and TV Newswriting

K. Tim Wulfemeyer is a Professor in the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University where he serves as the coordinator of the Journalism Degree Program. He has extensive radio-TV news experience, both on-the-air as a newscaster, sportscaster, host and reporter and behind the scenes as a producer, newswriter and videographer.

• Preface viiiLearning Objectives viiiIntroduction ixRadio-tv News Terminology xPart 1: Writing the Story 1Rewriting 1Be Original 1Short, Lean Sentences 1Short but Sweet 1Trim the Fat 2Brevity 2Make It Brief 2Tight but Not Constricting 2Helping Listeners and Viewers 3One to a Customer 3Nickel and Dime the Audience 3Tell the Story 4Talking It Out 4Read the Story 4Eyeing It Up 4Summary 5Part 2: Using Radio-tv News Style 6Leads 6Did You Hear the One About ? 6Lead On 7Emphasis Lead 7Umbrella/Blanket Lead 7Verbless Lead 8Chronological/Narrative Lead 8No Questions, Please 8Choose a Lead #1 10Choose a Lead #2 12Choose a Lead #3 13Choose a Lead #4 15Names and Titles 18What’s in a Name? 18Who Was That? 18Title Placement 19Endless Titles 20First Names First 20Eliminate the Middleman 21The Name Game 22Answers to the Name Game 23Identification 24Identification Please 24Addresses 24Home Sweet Home 24Ages 25Age Gracefully 25Attribution 25Who Says So? 25Attribution Test #1 27Answers to Attribution Test #1 28Say It with Says 29Repetition 29Repeat, Repeat, Repeat 29Quotes 29Quotable Quotes 29Close but No Cigar 30Quotations Test 31Answers to Quotations Test 32Facts or Opinions? 33To Attribute or Not To Attribute 33Attribution Test #2 34Answers to Attribution Test #2 35Aiding the Audience 36Half-Listening Listeners 36Contractions 36Contractions Can’t Hurt 36Pronouns 37Who’s He? 37You Is Us 37Verb Tense 38Now Is the Time 38Time Elements 38Timely Time 38Natural Time 39Verb Voice 39Action Please 39Rewriting Test 41Answers to Rewriting Test 42Abbreviations 43What Does T-H-A-T Stand For? 43Organized Organizations 43A R-O-S-E Is Not a ROSE 43Abbreviations Test #1 45Abbreviations Test #2 47Answers to Abbreviations Test #2 49Numbers 50By the Numbers 50Ban the Symbols 50Ordinary Ordinals 51Bits and Pieces 51Round Figures 51Telling Time 52Exceptions to Numbers Rules 52Numbers Test #1 54Numbers Test #2 56Answers to Numbers Test #2 58Approximation Test 59Answers to Approximation Test 60Punctuation 61Practical Punctuation 61Copyediting 61Correctable Errors 61Script Style 62Putting It on Paper 62Script Formats 63Radio Reader Story 63Radio Actuality Story 64Radio Reporter Voicer/Wraparound Story 65Television Reader Story 66Television Picture/Graphics Story 67Television Video Story 68Television VO/SOT Story 69Summary 70The BIG Time 71Exercises 72Komodo Dragons Story 72Komodo Dragons Story Model 73Komodo Dragons Story Analysis 73Traffic Deaths Story 74Traffic Deaths Story Model 75Traffic Deaths Story Analysis 75Cancer Money Story 76Cancer Money Story Model 77Cancer Money Story Analysis 77Sports Arena Story 78Sports Arena Story Model 79Sports Arena Story Analysis 79Supervisor Controversy Story 80Supervisor Controversy Story Model 81Supervisor Controversy Story Analysis 81USO Story 82USO Story Model 83USO Story Analysis 83Part 3: Writing Introductions 84Introducing Recorded Comments from Sources 84Actualities and Soundbites 84Introducing Reporter Packages 85Voicers, Wraparounds and Packages 85Exercises 88Introductions for Actualities and Soundbites 88Firefighters Pay Story 88Firefighters Pay Story Model 1 89Firefighters Pay Story Model 2 90Firefighters Pay Story Analysis 91Actuality Introduction Sentences 91Actuality Introduction Sentences Models 92Actuality Introduction Sentences Analysis 92Salmonella Outbreak Story 93Salmonella Outbreak Story Model 94Salmonella Outbreak Story Analysis 95Introductions for Pre-Recorded Stories from Reporters 96Traffic Deaths Story 96Traffic Deaths Story Reporter Introduction Models 97Traffic Deaths Story Reporter Introduction Analysis 98Killer Whale Story 99Killer Whale Story Reporter Introduction Models 100Killer Whale Story Reporter Introduction Analysis 101Introductions for Live Reports 102Warehouse Fire Story 102Warehouse Fire Story Reporter Introduction Models 103Warehouse Fire Story Reporter Introduction Analysis 104Squirrel Jet Story 105Squirrel Jet Story Reporter Introduction Models 106Squirrel Jet Story Reporter Introduction Analysis 107Part 4: Adding Visuals 108Writing for Television 108Turn on the TV 108Split Screen 110Exercises 111Westlake High School Story 111Westlake High School Story Model 112Westlake High School Story Analysis 112SAT Scores Story 113SAT Scores Story Model 114SAT Scores Story Analysis 115Golden Dollar Story 116Golden Dollar Story Model 117Golden Dollar Story Analysis 118Measles Shots Story 119Measles Shots Story Model 120Measles Shots Story Analysis 121Delayed Debate Story 122Delayed Debate Story Model 123Delayed Debate Story Analysis 124Parking Lot Fire Story 125Parking Lot Fire Story Model 126Parking Lot Fire Story Analysis 127Tree Clean-Up Story 128Tree Clean-Up Story Model 129Tree Clean-Up Story Analysis 130Car Auction Story 131Car Auction Story Model 132Car Auction Story Analysis 133Summary 134Congratulations 134Appendix: United Press International Pronunciation Guide 135