Community Media/FARM RADIO/Scriptwriting

Farm Radio International



Introduction
A very warm welcome to the Farm Radio Scriptwriting Competition Course!

Together, we will learn how to create inspiring radio pieces about smallholder farmer innovation and write them down in script format.

In the written materials for this course you will come across a number of terms related to radio programs. In order to ensure that everyone starts with a common understanding of key terms, we have taken a stab at defining them:

Key definitions

This scriptwrinting course focuses on “smallholder farmer innovation.” It is important that we all agree on what we mean by “innovation” and how broadcasters can help promote it.

Understanding farmer innovation

How can radio broadcasters help?

Are you ready to check your understanding of farmer innovation? You can take the following quiz as many times as you want. The system will only remember your best score.

Farmer innovation quiz

Before moving on to the first module, check here whether you have completed all the required activities.

Your activity checklist

Module 1


In the next two weeks, you need to find a good story for your radio piece and script. Let’s first get inspired by an example of a good radio piece on farmer innovation.

Example of a farmer innovation story

As you probably noticed, a good story is key to good radio programs. This is part of what we call the 'story-based' approach to farm radio programming. It is easy to achieve if you follow these steps:

[[media:Nugget 8 Steps of story-based approach wiki.swf|The 8 steps to the story-based approach (movie)]]

Do you wonder where you will find your farmer innovation story? Talk to farmers and do some research. Maybe searching the internet can help too …

Tips on finding farmer innovators

Time to get started on your own radio piece and script! First you need to develop a focus statement. Read more:

Focus and focus statement

What is a focus statement?

Focus statements: compare your answers with our suggestions

Now reread the farmer innovation story in the beginning of this module and answer some questions in the following quiz about focus and focus statements. Note: This quiz was created in Moodle with automatic feedback. Here, we immediately provide the feedback to each proposed answer.

Focus statement quiz

Have you found a good story idea and focus statement? We have a team of people ready to give you feedback very quickly, so you know you are on the right track. Use the guide below to develop your story idea and focus statement.

Guide to identifying your story idea and focus statement

Before moving on to the next module, check here whether you have completed all the required activities.

Your activity checklist

Module 2


Choose the format of the radio piece and script you are preparing for the competition. Why not explore formats you are not familiar with?

Some format options

The farmer innovation story we shared with you earlier is a good example of an in-field interview format. Here are some examples of radio formats that are also useful for telling a story. They might inspire you to try a different format for your radio piece and script.

An example of a mini drama

An example of a narrative

An example of a two-host conversation

No matter what format you choose you will be talking to farmers and asking them questions. Let’s do some team work to improve our interview skills. Now read what you need to do:

Helping Azibo improve his interviewing skills

The following resources will help you be better prepared to interview one or more farmers in your area.

Interviewing – You steer, they paddle

The basics of interviewing

Now is the right time to get out there and record interviews with innovative farmer(s). Make sure you ask the right questions. That’s a big step forward in the development of your radio piece and script!

The following checklist will tell you whether you’re on track with the development of your script:

Your script for the competition - checklist part I

Before moving on, check here whether you have completed all the required activities.

Your activity check list

Module 3


Now it’s time to put your radio piece together. This week is all about working on your script competition entry. It is a chance for you to work with the information you have gathered and the material you have recorded. Your task is to use these materials to develop a story on smallholder farmer innovation that listeners will find appealing.

Below are some resources that might assist you in developing your radio piece and script. You might also find it useful to revisit [[media:Nugget 8 Steps of story-based approach wiki.swf|The 8 steps to the story-based approach]].

Voice training for radio

Writing for radio

Rehearsing for an effective radio piece

Examples of how to use sound in a radio piece or program (audio clip)

Using clips

We also encourage you to look at the following checklist to help you evaluate your progress in developing your script for the competition. This is a good time in the course to identify problems you are having.

Your script for the competition - checklist part II

Before moving on to the next module, check here whether you have completed all the required activities.

Your activity cheklist

Module 4


You should have made a lot of progress on your own script by now. Time to have a closer look at how we write. Because we are writing for radio, we need to write as we speak, in simple sentences. Watch this:

[[media:Nugget Writing for the ear wiki.swf|Writing for the ear (movie)]]

[[media:Movie Keep it simple wiki.swf|Keep it simple! (movie)]]

How is your introduction? Does it capture listeners’ attention? This is very important because the introduction is when you can grab people’s attention… or lose them! The following tips will help you write an effective introduction.

Writing introductions for radio programs

Read your own script aloud. Did you write like you speak? If not, you need to rework the script until you are happy with it. It is normal to re-write a script several times before it can be used. The harder you work on this, the better your script!

This quiz will help you practice your “writing for radio” skills:

Writing for the ear quiz

The following checklist will tell you whether you’re on track with the development of your script:

Your script for the competition - checklist part III

Before moving on, check here whether you have completed all the required activities.

Your activity checklist

Conclusion


You have completed the Farm Radio Scriptwriting Competition Course. Well done!

We hope this has been a truly useful and rewarding learning experience for you. We wish you all good luck!