FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING NEWS FOR RADIO II:Complex numbers

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Radio News, Reporting and Production MCM515

LESSON 29

FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING NEWS FOR RADIO II

14. Figures

Write figures in words.

30,00,000

30 Lacs/ thirty lacs

5400

5 thousand 4 hundred

Rs. 4000

4 thousand rupees

$ 6 billion

6 billion dollars

Rs. 90.50

90 rupees fifty paisas

Complex numbers

Avoid using complex numbers but give round figures.

84850------------------------------------ Almost 85 thousand

9.8 million-------------------------------Nearly 10 million

59 years, 7 months & 80 days -------almost 60 years

15. Avoid portraying gender difference

Policemen----police officers.

Firemen----fire fighters.

An average teacher complains he is not getting paid according to his duties.

But

Teachers complain they are not getting paid according to their duties.

Developing a News Story

WHAT formula

W....What has happened? (The lead)

H.....How did it happen? (The background or context of the story)

A.....Amplify the introduction. (Describe main points in the order of importance)

T.....Tie up loose ends.(Additional background material)

First line

The intro of the news item must be Short, Catchy and Crispy. Don't tell the whole story in the first line.

Last line

The last line should conclude the story and point to next development if any. For instance, Foreign

Secretaries of SAARC countries met in Islamabad. They will again meet in New Delhi.

The last line of a news item is as important as the lead. It must be positive and strong.

Weak Ending

The culprits will be dealt with iron hands- the Prime Minister said.

Strong Ending

The Prime Minister said the culprits will be dealt with iron hands.

Weak Ending

The union leader threatens to go on strike unless the authorities surrender to them

Radio News, Reporting and Production MCM515

Strong Ending

The union leader threatens to go on strike unless the authorities surrender to their demands.

SUMMARY

· Avoid written expression.

· Avoid literary expression.

· Avoid every expression that is particular with newspaper.

· Avoid long word where short one works.

· If it does without a word you have used, cut it out.

· Avoid jargon where colloquial equivalent is available.

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