the facts necessary for the release to be understood and include  all  administrative  information,  such  as  points  of contact and release numbers. Stations will not accept or use sloppy copy. Your broadcast releases should be error-free. Since broadcast copy is designed to be read aloud, it should not appear to be cluttered. Make sure there is sufficient white space, and  always  type  your  script  double-spaced.  Double- spaced copy is not only easier to read but it also provides space  for  additional  information  the  announcer  might want to insert. UPPERCASE  VS.  LOWERCASE  STYLE Broadcast copy can be written (typed) in all capital letters or uppercase and lowercase. There are merits for each  style.  We  are  used  to  reading  in  uppercase  and lowercase,   and   the   patterns   of   words   are   easier   to distinguish. If both uppercase and lowercase are used, you can also use caps for emphasis. However, the wire services use all caps and the all-capital treatment would conform to that style. Your job is to determine the best style for your releases and use it. Sticking to one style only, within the context of a story, also is important. Be consistent! TYPING  COPY When typing broadcast copy, you should set your typewriter/printer  margin  for  an  average  of  60  spaces per line. This will give you about 10 words per line and will aid you in quickly determining how much copy you have written or need to write. Two to four lines will equal about 10 seconds of copy. Seven to eight lines will yield approximately   30   seconds,   and   14   to   16   lines   will average about 60 seconds. Since  the  size  of  the  print  influences  readability, your releases should be in 10- or 12-point type. TIMING Timing in newscasts is also very important. Many radio stations run a five-minute newscast on the hour. By the time all the spots, jingles and introductions are weeded out, there is precious little time for news. Tenor 15  seconds  in  story  length  can  make  a  difference  in whether or not your release will be aired. Your release should  be  timed,  and  the  time  required  to  read  your release should be indicated on the release. The average announcer reads at a rate of 2 1/2 words per  second.  Simple  multiplication  shows  a  10-second release   averages   25   words   and   a   60-second   story averages 150 words. Remember — we are referring to an   “average”   announcer;   naturally,   there   are   many variables.   Radio   DJs   usually   read   faster   than   radio newscasters, and radio newscasters usually read faster than television newscasters. PARAGRAPHING Do not indent sentences in broadcast copy. It is a waste   of   space   when   writing   on   only   half   a   page. Paragraphing  is  not  used  in  broadcast  writing,  since  the treatment  of  a  topic  can  usually  be  handled  in  one paragraph  anyway.  Always  set  margins  flush-left,  so your copy will appear as one block. Consequently, you should not hyphenate or divide a word at the end of a line. If the whole word does not fit, simply drop down to the next line. Likewise, do not split a sentence between pages in your broadcast story. It   makes   it   difficult   for   the   announcer   to   maintain continuity. NUMBERING PAGES If  your  broadcast  story  is  more  than  one  page, number the pages consecutively. For example, if your copy is three pages long, number the first page 1 of 3, and the last page 3 of 3. Write page numbers in the upper left-hand corner of the page. (MORE) When a story takes more than one page, center the word (MORE) under the manuscript portion at the end of each continued page. THE END Indicate the end of your broadcast copy by centering three  number  symbols  (###)  under  your  manuscript column. ADMINISTRATIVE  INFORMATION FOR  BROADCAST  RELEASES LEARNING   OBJECTIVE:   Identify   the administrative   information   required   on broadcast scripts released to the media. For  obvious  reasons,  it  is  necessary  for  you  to identify  yourself  and  your  organization  on  broadcast releases. You should also include a telephone number in case  the  civilian  broadcaster  needs  to  ask  any  questions relative  to  the  story. 13-11