Radio scripts are not transcripts of spontaneous speech.
They are highly crafted texts. Therefore I would not expect to find elements of
spontaneous speech in them.
There will be a presenter- used to introduce the main topic
of the ‘article’ or slot. And may also introduce a second guest speaker.
The simplest structure to me seems to be a presenter acting
as a questioner – these should be short open questions and a speaker giving
detailed full answers. Most of the content will be incorporated in these
answers.
· Probably two
contrasting speakers - variety
· Syntax
probably dominated by simple declarative / interrogative sentences but not
exclusively
· Lexis will
be simple and inclusive – define technical terms used
· Probably
present a thesis and counter argument
· Will be
conceptual – visual references will be minimal but concisely explained
· Will be
generally formal / tabloid /journalese register
· Will be
informative / entertaining / could be persuasive
· Expect be
general adult, student, specific audience
AUDIENCE – Listening – general audience
PURPOSE – to inform – to persuade – to entertain
REGISTER – will depend on task but essentially if one speaker use neutral/formal register, if a number of speakers use a variety of registers
SOME KEY FEATURES
• Use of sound effects
• Different voices – male female – young old – neutral /regional accent / - use spoken language phonetic techniques [rhyme, alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, repetition]
• Tone of voice
• Shorter simple sentences
• Use of contrast – different points of vie
A Brief Example
Presenter: Today we continue our series on women in politics. And here in the studio today we have Caroline Spelman a Conservative minister to tell us about her experiences. PURPOSE – to inform – to persuade – to entertain
REGISTER – will depend on task but essentially if one speaker use neutral/formal register, if a number of speakers use a variety of registers
SOME KEY FEATURES
• Use of sound effects
• Different voices – male female – young old – neutral /regional accent / - use spoken language phonetic techniques [rhyme, alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, repetition]
• Tone of voice
• Shorter simple sentences
• Use of contrast – different points of vie
Hello Caroline. So how did it feel the first day you took your seat in the Commons?
Caroline Spelman: Hello Judy well it was an incredible first day really. As I walked to my office Margaret Thatcher popped in to wish me well. She had been an inspiration to me when I first became interested in politics.
Presenter: So what was so inspiring about Margaret Thatcher?
Caroline Spelman:
The above brief extract of a script is completely made up and bares no relation to any article in Cupcakes.
