Typography, Headlines and Infographics

templates are fill-in-the-blank forms that ask preparers to insert infor-
mation such as the slug, time and script for each story. Whether the
script is formatted by hand or by computer, the slug should appear in
the upper left corner. It includes the one- or two-word name assigned
to the story, the initials or name of the reporter, and the time of the
newscast when the script will be used. The following is an example of
a slug for the first page of a story:

HOMECOMING/tws/3 p.m.
Each page of the broadcast script should be marked at the top and
bottom so that the person reading the script knows, simply by glancing
at the top or bottom of the page, whether the pages are in order, there
is more to come or this is the last page. The slug on pages after the first
page includes the page number.

HOMECOMING/tws/3 p.m./p.2
Even if each story is typed on a separate page, which is a system that
some stations prefer, the pages should be numbered so there is no con-
fusion between the newscaster and the director or technical assistants
as to what comes next. The end of each story or page in broadcast is
marked with the same signals used in a print story: (more), (end), (###)
or -30-.
Broadcast scripts also include instructions to directors and technical
assistants. Cues must be indicated to let everyone know when a sound
bite or film clip is to be inserted or when the announcer is to do a
voice-over (VO). During a voice-over, the newscaster reads from a script
while the viewer watches prerecorded videotape.
Radio scripts are simpler than television scripts, because they only
need to cue the announcer about the insertion of recorded voices or
music. These insertions are sometimes put on special tape cassettes
called carts. The first five words (incue), the last five words (outcue)
and the total running time (TRT) of the cart should be noted on
the script. Total running time refers to how long the entire tape seg-
ment lasts; that way the newscaster can tell whether the correct tape is
running when it comes on, as well as when the tape is about to end.

BROADCAST NEWS 453

Broadcast scripts provide

directions for newscasters, camera

operators, technicians and the

director.

cart

a short tape cassette that

contains insertions of voices

or music for use in a radio

broadcast

incue

the first five words of a cart

outcue

the last five words of a cart

total running time (TRT)

how long an entire tape

segment lasts