How to Write an AP Style News Script

Professional television and radio stations rely on the Associated Press Style Guide when preparing news scripts. AP style is gospel for broadcast journalists, editors and producers alike. If you want to write an AP style news script, you have to familiarize yourself with the AP's stringent code of rules. Break one of them and your news script will not seem professional.

Instructions

1. Read the latest version of "The Associated Press Broadcast News Handbook." If you plan to go into broadcast news, you can buy a copy; otherwise, if this is an exercise for class or an experiment, check it out of the library. This reference guide has been referred to as a "journalist's bible" and explains all of the specifics of writing for broadcast news.

2. Find a story idea that is local, relevant, timely and important. If it doesn't meet this criteria, it is not considered a good news story by AP standards. Political topics are usually good AP news script ideas.

3. Work on your story, making sure you interview at least 3 people who are reliable sources of information. AP news scripts are intended to be objective--presenting "just the facts, ma'am" rather than the journalist's opinion. Opinions of other people should be included as broadcast interviews.

4. Follow AP style as you write your script. You must capitalize all words to be read aloud by the broadcaster and italicize in small caps taped interviews. Adhere to AP grammar rules such as using only one space after a period and spelling out numbers under 10. Refer to the AP book for a full explanation of the rules.

Resources

• Order the AP's Broadcast News Handbook.