ALL CAPS & Punctuation
Why do we write in ALL CAPS in broadcast writing?
SO THAT IT IS EASY TO SEE OUR COPY IN THE TELEPROMPTER.
What does S-V-O stand for?
SUBJECT - VERB - OBJECT
What kind of names should you use in broadcast writing?
WE NEED TO KEEP OUR NAMES AND TITLES SIMPLE.
IF THEY ARE TOO LONG THEY WONT FIT ON THE LOWER THIRD.
How should you write numbers 1–12?
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE.
SPELL EM OUT.
What does WIFM stand for in an anchor lead?
WHATS IN IT FOR ME.
What punctuation is allowed in broadcast writing?
NOTHING BUT A PERIOD.
What voice should you use in broadcast writing?
WE HAVE TO TRY AND USE ACTIVE VOICE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
DONT BE COOKED... BE COOKING.
Simplify this name: Malik T. Blue, former Sarasota sheriff and new deputy of HCSO.
MALIK BLUE.
HCSO DEPUTY
How should you write numbers 13 and up?
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20.
What are the 4 Cs of broadcast writing?
CLEAR.
CONVERSATIONAL.
COMPELLING.
CORRECT.
What happens if you use a comma in your script?
YOU WILL EXPLODE INTO A BUNCH OF PIECES. PLUS MR. MICHAEL WILL BE DISAPOINTED.
Rewrite this in active voice: The mouse was being chased by the cat.
THE CAT IS CHASING THE MOUSE.
What does “convert officialese” mean?
IT MEANS SIMPLIFYING OVERLY WORDY TERMS USED BY PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD.
CARDIAC ARREST = HEART ATTACK
Rewrite this: $11,789,000.
ABOUT 12 MILLION DOLLARS.
What’s the purpose of an anchor tag?
TO WRAP THE STORY AND POINT THEM TOWARD YOUR WEBSITE OR MORE INFORMATION.
What’s the rule about quotation marks in broadcast writing?
DONT USE THEM.
What tense should broadcast writing always be in?
WE NEED TO USE PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE.
COOKED/CHOPPED IS BAD. COOKING IS GOOD.
Rewrite this: The car was driving at a high rate of speed.
THE CAR IS GOING FAST. // THE CAR IS DRIVING FAST.
What’s the rule for abbreviations like FBI or FAA?
F-B-I AND F-A-A.
WHAT DOES A LLPKG STAND FOR?
LOOK LIVE PACKAGE.
Rewrite this correctly: “I hate goldfish,” said Mr. Michael.
ATTRIBUTION FIRST.
DONT EVER USE SAID OR I WILL THROW THINGS AT YOUR HEAD AND THEN YOU WILL BE DEAD.
MR. MICHAEL SAYS HE HATES GOLDFISH.
Fix this sentence: I was lodging in my residence today.
I AM CHILLING AT HOME TODAY.
What’s wrong with this sentence: The perpetrator is now trapped in the residence of her legal maternal figure?
IT NEEDS TO BE CONVERTED TO:
THE PERSON IS NOW HIDING AT THEIR MOMS HOUSE.
Rewrite this: Slam Apollo’s budget for next year is $34,659,001
SLAM APOLLO IS SPENDING ABOUT 35 MILLION DOLLARS ON ITS NEW BUILDING.
What is the inverted pyramid structure?
IMPRORTANT INFO FIRST.
ANY ADDITIONAL INFO MAYBE WHY OR HOW.
AN INTERESTING FACT OR STAT / VIEWER BENEFIT.