Keep it short.
Keep the message associated with each visual no longer than one to two
minutes of aural delivery. For more detailed explanations, use side
bar links to supporting documents and tangential Web materials.
Keep it simple.
Use simple, conversational language when possible. Avoid long, complex
sentences. If longer than 20 words, break the message into several sentences.
Understand your audience.
Write to the comprehension level of the listeners. Define terms the
listener may not understand. If listeners have widely varying skill
levels, consider writing multiple narration scripts for beginner, intermediate,
and advanced audiences.
Write for the ear.
Read aloud the written script. Adapt it as needed for aural delivery.
Re-write tongue twisters and phrasing that is difficult to say aloud.
Use the verbal message to compliment the visuals.
Allow your visuals to communicate their message. Write the verbal message
to compliment and expand upon the visuals.
Use the active voice.
Clearly specify the subject of the sentence and use verbs that describe
action rather than "to be" verbs, those in which the subject
of the sentence is not the one doing the action.
Use punctuation to note pacing.
Include commas, dashes, and periods to indicate pauses in the aural
delivery of the script. These help vary pacing, indicate empahsis of
words or phrases, and indicate breaks or breaths for the narrator.
Make it legible.
Prepare the script in a format that is easy for the narrator to read.
Avoid hyphenated words, abbreviations, and acronyms. Print the script
using a font and spacing that is easy to read. |
