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By writing motion picture dialogue, you've already acquired one of the most important techniques you'll need for media writing: crafting narration in a speaking tone of voice. Whether writing for voice-over narration or an on-camera spokesperson, the media writer must have the facility to write copy that is easily spoken.
Narration is the workhorse of corporate and educational media programming. Generally, narrative copy falls into one of four categories:
· On-Camera Narration
· Off-Camera Narration
· Executive Message/Subject Matter Expert commentary
· Character Narration
Narration written for a professional spokesperson is either delivered on or off-camera (synchronized with appropriate visuals). The two may also be mixed, juxtaposing blocks of on- and off-camera narration in the same script.
Executive and Subject Matter Expert commentary is used when the credibility and authority of the speaker carries significant weight.
Use character narration to create a fictional persona who speaks to the audience. Often, for instance, the history of a company can be communicated by bringing the company's long since deceased founder to life to describe early events in the chronology.
When writing media script narration, follow these guidelines:
Find an Appropriate Voice-Donald Murray, a writing coach with a newspaper background, has described "voice" in newspaper writing: "Voice, the way the story sounds, is the distinctive element... ...that gives the illusion of individual writer speaking to individual reader. It is the element of the story that carries its emotional force. The story may be detached, angry, humorous, caring, sarcastic, ironic, sad, amused. The whole range of human emotions is available to the writer using voice."
Murray encourages writers to try on a variety of voices for a given piece. This leads to the ideal voice for the material and target audience. The secret to writing distinctive, yet appropriate narrative voices results from discovering a suitable voice in your inner ear-then locking into it as you develop narrative copy.
Note that Murray attributes the aural qualities of language as the key to unlocking secrets of style. When writing narration for media, the way the story sounds is paramount. Your audience reads nothing on paper. Their viewing experience consists solely of sights and sounds unfolding in time. Successful media writers are proficient sculpting vivid narrative copy that communicates ideas with verbal and aural clarity.
Writing for the Executive or Subject Matter Expert-In this instance, the best narrative copy results from familiarity with the speaker's own, idiosyncratic way of expressing ideas. In a sense, you are a speechwriter. Knowledge of the speaker's typical tone, style and choice of language should influence your narrative style. The speaker's attitude toward the message, and his/her management style, speech patterns and rhythms all influence the writer's task.
Character Narrations-Using a character to deliver your narration offers the greatest creative license for a distinctive voice. Just make certain the material justifies use of a character narrative voice.
No matter what form your narration takes, here are general guidelines for making your copy speakable...
Observe the Elements of Style. Strunk and White's classic book, The Elements of Style, offers many suggestions directly applicable to writing narration in a speaking tone of voice. For instance:
1. Use the active voice-it is usually more direct and vigorous than passive voice.
2. Put statements in positive form-As stated in their book: "If your every sentence admits a doubt, your writing will lack authority." Murray also points out that there is a significant relationship between the words "author" and "authority."
3. Omit needless words-"Vigorous writing is concise," state Strunk and White. In addition, when writing for media, words translate into screen time. The writer owes it to audience and producer alike to be economical.
Conversational writing is informal and personal. Script media copy as a conversation directed to an audience of one. Write the way people speak. Develop an ear for the simplicity that characterizes spoken conversation. Contractions and simplified syntax lend informality to narrative copy.
Write with pictures in mind. Don't write narrative copy without insight into what people will be seeing on screen. Avoid picture/text redundancy. If the viewer can see it-why say it? Narrative copy should enhance visuals, adding perspective, insight and interpretive viewpoints.
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