Writing the audio story

Journalism/New Media II

MCOM 258

Summer 2009

Two types of sound for radio

• Actuality– Quote used on air– Contain actual voices of newsmakers– Also called sound bite or sot (sound on tape)– Brings story alive– Lends credibility– Sometimes inputs opinion– Adds a new element– Use what’s interesting

Natural Sound

• Natural sound is the sound that is going on while you are reporting your story– Cars whizzing by– Fire fighters coiling up the hose– Birds singing– Computer key boards clicking– Always look for natural sound opportunities

Writing the wrap

• A wrap is the audio equivalent of a short print story with a quote

• A radio wrap starts with the anchor introduction of the story– Then 2-3 lines of the reporter speaking– A 10-15 second sound bite (actuality)– Then one or two more lines concluding the

story– They are usually no more than a minute long

When using actualities

• Most often run 10-15 seconds

• Make sure it’s audible

• Make sure it’s factual

• Only include your question if it’s absolutely needed to understand the source’s answer– when in doubt, don’t include your question

Write to the bite

• Introduce who is speaking before the actuality airs– Give title, name, and relevance of person

about to speak– Brief paraphrase of what’s to come– Ex: Chief Executive Officer Brad Smith says

he’s not sure why the company lost all its money.

The body of the story

• Body of story supports lead

• Use only the important details

• When your lead doesn’t cover the 5 w’s, your story should

• Ask yourself what should logically come next?

• Related ideas go together

Use transitions

• Think about the way you speak– You wouldn’t say:

• “I’m going to go sledding tonight. I’m going to wear my hat and gloves. I like that big hill on campus. It’s scary sometimes.”

– You’re more likely to say:• “I’m going to go sledding tonight and I’m going to wear my

hat and gloves. I like that big hill on campus but it’s scary sometimes.”

Parroting

• Avoid parroting what the speaker is about to say– Ex: Varsity swimmer Betsy White says she is

going to swim as hard as she can.• “I’m going to swim as hard as I can.”

Better: Varsity swimmer Betsy White says she’s going to give it her all.

• “I’m going to swim as hard as I can.”

Nat sound or “nats”

• Natural sound helps bring listener into story

• It can provide a transition when you’re introducing a different element

• Adds to the listening experience

Introducing your story

• Traditional radio uses what’s called a “lead-in” to introduce a reporter story.– Ex. A three alarm fire destroyed a

Reisterstown school today. Reporter Joe Smith has details.

• Since you will be posting your stories to your Web site and blog, you will write a summary blurb and post a photo.– The summary blurb should let your audience

know that they will be listening to your story

What’s going on beyond traditional radio

• This American Life

• Podcasts like Grammar Girl and Coffee Break Spanish

• Radio lab

• Transom.org