Communication Studies and Language Communication Studies

Radio Script Writing For Broadcast Media Training

SAQA US 117564 | NQF 5 | Credits 8 | Duration 5 Days
From $1,242 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the skills to write effective radio scripts for broadcast media, covering structure, style, and technical requirements. Participants will learn to craft scripts that engage listeners and meet industry standards.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply principles of radio scriptwriting to create clear and engaging content.
  • Analyze target audiences and tailor scripts for specific listener demographics.
  • Evaluate existing radio scripts for effectiveness and adherence to broadcast standards.
  • Design scripts incorporating sound effects, music, and pacing for audio storytelling.
  • Implement technical formatting and timing requirements for radio broadcast scripts.
  • Demonstrate ability to write scripts for various radio formats (news, interviews, ads).

Target Audience

Aspiring radio scriptwriters, broadcast journalists, content creators, and communication professionals seeking to enhance their scriptwriting skills for radio.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of Radio Script Writing

Objectives:
• Understand the role and responsibilities of a radio scriptwriter.
• Identify the key elements of a radio script, including format and structure.
• Differentiate between various types of radio content (news, talk, drama, commercials).
• Apply basic principles of writing for the ear (conversational tone, clarity, brevity).

Topics:
• Introduction to radio broadcasting and scriptwriting.
• Overview of radio script formats (e.g., two-column, narrative).
• Key script components: cues, timing, sound effects, music.
• Writing for the ear vs. writing for the eye.
• Analyzing sample scripts from South African radio stations.
• Basic grammar and style for radio writing.
• Practical exercise: rewriting a print article as a radio script.

Day 2: Crafting Compelling Content

Objectives:
• Write engaging openings and closings for radio segments.
• Structure a radio story with a clear narrative arc.
• Use language effectively to create imagery and emotion.
• Incorporate sound elements and music to enhance storytelling.

Topics:
• The art of the hook: writing strong leads.
• Narrative structure: beginning, middle, end.
• Descriptive language and sensory details.
• Using sound effects and music notation in scripts.
• Writing for different genres: news bulletins, interviews, features.
• Practical exercise: writing a short feature script with sound cues.

Day 3: Writing for Commercials and Promotions

Objectives:
• Understand the purpose and structure of radio commercials.
• Write persuasive copy that aligns with brand voice and target audience.
• Apply techniques such as repetition, call-to-action, and emotional appeal.
• Create promotional scripts for station events or campaigns.

Topics:
• Anatomy of a radio commercial: problem, solution, call-to-action.
• Writing for different ad lengths (15, 30, 60 seconds).
• Using voice, music, and sound effects effectively.
• Adapting copy for different demographics.
• Promo scripts: teasers, station IDs, and contests.
• Practical exercise: writing a 30-second commercial for a fictional product.

Day 4: Script Editing, Timing, and Compliance

Objectives:
• Edit scripts for clarity, conciseness, and accuracy.
• Time scripts accurately to fit broadcast slots.
• Apply South African broadcasting regulations (e.g., ICASA codes).
• Collaborate with producers and presenters to refine scripts.

Topics:
• Self-editing techniques: cutting words without losing meaning.
• Timing scripts: reading pace, pauses, and pacing.
• Understanding broadcast standards and compliance.
• Handling sensitive topics: language, stereotypes, and ethics.
• Working with production teams: feedback and revisions.
• Practical exercise: editing and timing a sample script.

Day 5: Advanced Applications and Portfolio Building

Objectives:
• Write scripts for complex formats like radio drama and live reads.
• Adapt scripts for digital platforms (podcasts, social media).
• Compile a portfolio of scripts demonstrating versatility.
• Receive peer and trainer feedback for improvement.

Topics:
• Writing for radio drama: dialogue, character, and scene transitions.
• Live reads and ad-libbing: scripts for presenters.
• Adapting scripts for podcasting and online audio.
• Building a scriptwriting portfolio.
• Final project: writing a complete radio segment (e.g., 5-minute magazine piece).
• Peer review and trainer feedback session.
• Course wrap-up and certification guidance.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
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Mon 07 Dec 2026 Fri 11 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 11 Jan 2027 Fri 15 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
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Mon 27 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 492 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Durban, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,916 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Abu Dhabi, UAE Winter 2026 $5,238 Register
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Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,078 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 14 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Oct 2026 Fri 09 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Oct 2026 Fri 30 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Dec 2026 Fri 18 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 18 Jan 2027 Fri 22 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Feb 2027 Fri 26 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Fri 09 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Jul 2027 Fri 30 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Fri 17 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 04 Oct 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Fri 29 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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