Journalists and production assistants in radio, television and media production companies apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. Under the direction of an editor or producer, they source and prepare scripts for on-air programs or resources such as corporate videos and e-learning resources. Scripts could be read directly on air by presenters, recorded as voiceover commentaries or repurposed for online news and current affairs services.

People are usually working on productions where the target audience and program style have already been defined.

Even though a producer or director typically supervises program preparation, journalists and production assistants are expected to work autonomously on assignments.

Skills associated with undertaking background research are covered in:

CUFRES401A Conduct research.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Clarify writing requirements

1. In consultation with relevant personnel, identify relevant sources for current affairs stories or narration

2. Ensure that scripts can be prepared within production deadlines

3. Identify narrative, auditory and visual elements that may be appropriate for each type of script

4. Identify potential target audience to ensure that scripts meet their expectations

5. Focus on perspective of target audience when deciding on format of script

6. Identify scheduling and program issues that affect writing assignments

Prepare to write scripts

7. Verify and review source material and select information or angles that meet target audience requirements

8. Summarise information to meet production requirements

9. Identify material that could result in a breach of laws and regulations and resolve issues in consultation with relevant personnel

10. Develop a structure for current affairs or narration that creates an auditory and visual narrative for target audiences

11. Ensure that preparation is completed so that production deadlines can be met

Write current affairs and narration

12. Incorporate accepted elements of language to ensure that scripts are easy to present on air or online

13. Apply conventions of writing broadcast and online copy to scripts

14. Write in a way that minimises the need for editing

15. Refine and redraft scripts until they meet creative, technical and production requirements

16. Read scripts aloud to test ease of on-air presentation and mark up copy for presenters as required

17. Submit copy to relevant personnel for consideration and review

18. Document and implement required changes to copy in an efficient manner and within production deadlines

Obtain sign-off on scripts

19. Present final scripts to relevant personnel for validation

20. Discuss and agree upon final changes with relevant personnel

21. Make necessary final adjustments, confirming scripts meet requirements and are ready on time for production

Required skills

communication, literacy and teamwork skills sufficient to:

clarify production requirements

interpret and summarise information and research findings

work as member of a production team, both independently and under direction

respond positively to constructive feedback on draft scripts

use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation when writing current affairs and narration

use information networks

check the accuracy of source material and information

apply appropriate listening, questioning and non-verbal communication cues

organisational and self-management skills sufficient to:

prepare written materials within tight timeframes

prioritise work tasks

seek expert advice as required

aural and visual narrative skills to determine imagery appropriate to current affairs or narration

learning skills sufficient to improve performance and product through self-reflection and redrafting after feedback

Required knowledge

roles and responsibilities of production team members

principles and conventions of writing for broadcast and online

news and current affairs research and sourcing techniques

media laws sufficient to identify and seek expert advice on issues that could lead to legal action

copyright clearance procedures and privacy protection procedures

OHS standards as they relate to working for periods of time on computers

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

current affairs and narration written for broadcast or online that meet target audience and production requirements

ability to source and use information relevant to content and purpose of scripts

collaborative approach to work

ability to write scripts within production deadlines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to production situations that require the preparation of current affairs and narration

access to audio and video playback equipment or internet website to enable evaluation of material written by the candidate

access to current information about, and persons able to advise on, laws and regulations that apply to broadcasting and online newscasting

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

portfolios of evidence that demonstrate the processes used in obtaining information for scripts

evaluation of written material and summarising techniques to determine whether production requirements have been met and appropriate procedures followed

written or oral questioning to test sourcing of information and knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBCRT402A Collaborate in a creative process

CUFPPM301A Plan and prepare programs

CUFPPM401A Produce programs and program segments

CUFRES401A Conduct research.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant personnel may include:

broadcasters

clients

directors

performers

producers

program managers

script editors

scriptwriters

website designers and developers

other technical/specialist staff.

Relevant sources may include:

actual events

blog sites

existing dramatic material

internet current affairs sites

media releases

newspapers

online news services

television news and current affairs.

Productions may include:

information and education resources or programs available on a range of platforms:

CD

DVD

internet

mobile telephones

online:

internet news service

community current affairs site

television and radio programs:

news

current affairs

documentary and informational style programs

live coverage of events.

Auditory and visual elements may include:

adding script to pictures

music

sound effects

tone of voice

using typefaces, colour and graphics in online

voices - speaking and choral

writing effective captions online

writing in pictures.

Target audiences may include:

personnel in corporations or businesses

radio listeners of any age or cultural background

readers and audiences with specific interests, e.g.:

music

films

theatre

sport

travel

history

students

teachers and trainers

television viewers of any age or cultural background

users of internet news services.

Format may include:

copy

headlines

level of language used to present information

mix of content in terms of:

story angles

emotional appeal of content

objective or subjective presentation of information

opinions aired by presenters, guests and interviewees

music

talk

personalities

narration

packaging of information, i.e. in manageable 'chunks'

tone of presentation

voice reports.

Techniques for summarising information may include:

assessing what is essential and what to leave out

clarifying differences between facts, comment and opinion

presenting arguments fairly and clearly

telling story coherently.

Production requirements may include:

attributions

audience

budget

confidentiality

content

contractual

copyright

cultural protocols

deadlines

direct quotes

duration

ethical standards

intellectual property

interviews

location

organisational policy

privacy issues

purpose

schedule

style.

Laws and regulations may include:

broadcasting codes of practice

contempt of court

copyright

defamation

obscenity

privacy legislation

racial vilification.

Elements of language may include:

avoidance of clichés or jargon

characterisation

conversational tone

grammar

plain English

punctuation

readable style

spacing

spelling

wide and appropriate vocabulary.

Conventions of writing broadcast and online copy may include those for:

auditory and visual media, e.g.:

conversational style

use first and second person

contracted verb forms, e.g. didn't, you've

active voice

repetition and summary of key message

active visual writing

short sentences

avoid duplication between intro cue and script

online media, e.g.:

link appropriate typefaces, colour and graphics to online story

write for different formats and positions on website

use heads and subheads

use captions for online stories

visual media, e.g.:

use script to complement vision and aid storytelling

avoid repeating in words what viewers see

pace, including silence to allow pictures to tell the story.

Unit sector

Communication - writing

This unit contains employability skills.