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

102 Chapter Seven: Writing for the Ear
Topics in This Chapter
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The golden rule of writing for radio
Guidelines for the use of dialogue
Creating word pictures:
Similes and metaphors
Analogies
Proverbs and sayings
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Guidelines for the use of sound effects
Guidelines for using music in radio drama
The Golden Rule of Radio
The golden rule of writing for radio is to write everything for the listener’s
ear. Unless the listener can understand the setting, the characters, the action,
and the message of a drama simply by listening to it, the drama will not
succeed. Adherence to this golden rule requires that the writer strive for
clarity and simplicity in every aspect of the serial. Simplicity, however, should
not be misunderstood. It is the illusion of simplicity for which the radio
writer strives. In fact, writing a successful radio drama calls for close attention
to many details—simultaneously—in order for the audience to understand
what they are hearing.
Since radio drama is delivered by sound alone, particular attention must
be paid to dialogue, sound effects, and music. In a well written radio drama,
all three of these elements work together harmoniously. None should
predominate; they all should fit together to create a complete picture in the
imaginations of the listeners.
Guidelines for the Use of Dialogue
Enter-Educate radio dramas rely on words to keep the audience informed
of the:
• Action taking place, together with the dramatic conflict that arises
from the action;
• Place and time in which the action is occurring;
• People involved in the action and how they either cause it or
react to it;
• Emotion being evoked; and
• Message.