types of stories and story formats

B R O A D C A S T S C R I P T S 1 0 1

T Y P I C A L N E W S S T O R I E S

T Y P E S O F S T O R I E S

R A D I O N E W S T E L E V I S I O N N E W S

� Readers

� Soundbites

� Wraps/Packages

� Readers

� VO

� VOSOT

� Packages (PKG)

R A D I O S T O R I E S

• Radio newscasts are short (1-5 minutes), so pacing is everything

• Readers: Words for the anchor to read (10-15 seconds)

• Soundbites: Words for the anchor to read, plus a short soundbite (20-25 seconds)

• Wraps/packages: Anchor toss to a reporter piece (mix of track and soundbites). In most newsrooms, these are no longer than 30 seconds. You will have more time for your stories in this class, but keep this in mind.

R A D I O S T O R Y F O R M AT

Name

Slug

Date

Length

• This information will go on every script! In that order! Notice the exclamation marks!

R A D I O S T O R Y F O R M AT - R E A D E R S

DALE BLASINGAME

PROPERTY TAX VOTE

01.26.16

15 SECONDS

YOU MAY PAY MORE TAXES NEXT YEAR. THE SAN MARCOS CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE TONIGHT ON A PLAN TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO PAY FOR NEW BRIDGES. THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER WOULD PAY AN EXTRA 25-DOLLARS A YEAR IF THE PLAN IS APPROVED.

R A D I O S T O R Y F O R M AT - S O U N D B I T E S

DALE BLASINGAME

PROPERTY TAX VOTE

01.26.16

25 SECONDS

YOU MAY PAY MORE TAXES NEXT YEAR. THE SAN MARCOS CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE TONIGHT ON A PLAN TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO BUILD NEW OVERPASSES. MAYOR DANIEL GUTIERREZ SAYS IT’S THE CITY’S LAST RESORT.

BITE: “No one wants to raise taxes. Ever. But it’s what has to happen to get new overpasses and bridges in San Marcos.

(RUNS=5, OUTQ=IN SAN MARCOS.)

THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER WOULD PAY AN EXTRA 25-DOLLARS A YEAR IF THE PLAN IS APPROVED.

R A D I O S T O R Y F O R M AT – PA C K A G E S

DALE BLASINGAME

PROPERTY TAX VOTE

01.26.16

45 SECONDS

YOU MAY PAY MORE TAXES NEXT YEAR. K-T-S-W’S DALE BLASINGAME TALKED TO THE MAYOR -- WHO SAYS IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO GET RID OF TRAFFIC NIGHTMARES IN SAN MARCOS.

(RUNS=35, OUTQ=KTSW NEWS.)

T V S T O R I E S

• Readers

• Anchor is on cam the entire time

• Often have a box graphic or some other side of graphic element

• Typically short(er) stories or additional information after reporter pieces (15-20 seconds)

T V S T O R I E S

• VO

• Typically 20-25 seconds

• Can start with the anchor on cam or can be completely covered

• Sometimes referred to as “pacers”

T V S T O R I E S

• VO

• Typically 20-25 seconds

• Can start with the anchor on cam or can be completely covered

• Sometimes referred to as “pacers”

T V S T O R I E S

• VO

• Typically 20-25 seconds

• Can start with the anchor on cam or can be completely covered

• Sometimes referred to as “pacers”

T V S T O R I E S

• VOSOT

• Typically 40-50 seconds

• Feature some VO, then a soundbite, then more VO

• Pick quality soundbites!

T V S T O R I E S

• VOSOT

• Typically 40-50 seconds

• Feature some VO, then a soundbite, then more VO

• Pick quality soundbites!

T V S T O R I E S

• VOSOT

• Typically 40-50 seconds

• Feature some VO, then a soundbite, then more VO

• Pick quality soundbites!

T V S T O R I E S

• Package (PKG)

• Anchor introduction

• Often features a reporter live shot

• Actual story

• Reporter tag (if live)

• Anchor may have additional info at end of story

T V S T O R I E S

• Package (PKG)

• Anchor introduction

• Often features a reporter live shot

• Actual story

• Reporter tag (if live)

• Anchor may have additional info at end of story

T V S T O R Y F O R M AT

• TV scripts have two columns

• You still need Name and Slug information on every script

• You will still write in all capital letters