How to Write a Radio Serial Drama for Social Development- PDF

Prologue
Radio Serial Drama: The Theory Behind The Practice
by John Douglas Storey
Senior Researcher, Research and Evaluation Division
Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs
All drama is a form of communication. Radio serial drama created for development purposes, because it is
received entirely through the ears of listeners, is a form of oral communication. Those who design and
write radio social dramas, therefore, can benefit from an understanding of the theories that clarify oral
communication. More than two thousand years ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle proposed some
principles of persuasive oral communication that hold as true for today's radio scripts as they did for the
orators whom Aristotle addressed. Among the principles Aristotle outlined in his book Rhetoric are that
speakers should: be credible (believable), excite the emotions of the audience, and provide proof to support
their arguments.
Aristotle's principles were an early form of communication theory, that is, an explanation of how
people use and are affected by communication. Modern communication theorists have expanded on the
ideas of Aristotle and others in response to the growth of mass media over the past 100 years. Although
communication theories help explain how communication leads to changes in thinking and behavior, they
can never predict exactly how people will react to a message. Still, an understanding of these theories that
come from extensive and systematic research conducted in virtually every part of the world can help the
designers and writers of radio drama to fashion programs with the potential to bring about positive social
change. The theories can provide an understanding of how people are most likely to respond to a
communication such as a radio drama under given conditions.
During the design process, the design team of writers, program managers, researchers, and other
professionals can use theoretical explanations to guide program development (Chapter 1 discusses the role
of the design team). Theory, for example, may help determine what type of communication is needed to
encourage the audience to make specific behavioral changes. Theory may also suggest motivations for a
character's behavior or anticipate how listeners will respond to a plot twist. In this way, scripts draw insight
from tried and true explanations of communication and behavior change, while ensuring that those
insights become an integral part of a compelling story.
Levels of Communication
Communication connects people, groups, communities, and societies. It can be seen in virtually every
aspect of human society and occurs on many levels. A drama designed to promote social change generally
has a better chance of success if it includes multiple levels of communication. In developing a serial's story
lines, therefore, designers should include a main plot and sub-plots that allow for the natural inclusion of
these four main levels of communication:
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