- CUFWRT403A - Write narration and current affairs material
CUFWRT403A
Write narration and current affairs material
Application
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. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
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
|
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 |
Evidence Required
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. |
Range Statement
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. |
Sectors
Unit sector |
Competency Field
Communication - writing |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.