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

142 Chapter Nine: Interactivity and Enter-Educate Drama
5. Give answers in the same words the listeners are likely to use.
Generally, listeners will answer with a few brief words, not with
complete, correctly structured sentences. The host, therefore, should give
similarly brief answers. When Binod answered the question about the age
of puberty, he said, “thirteen or fourteen,” using exactly the same words
that listeners would be likely to use. He did not use a formal answer,
such as, “The age at which puberty begins for a girl is usually thirteen or
fourteen.”
6. Give the correct answer immediately after the pause. Listeners want to
and need to hear the correct answer as soon as possible, so the answer
must be given immediately following the pause. Words of
encouragement, like “that’s right”or “yes,” can be added after the answer.
Avoid using the words, “Yes, you are right,” because this inadvertently
might reinforce a listener’s wrong answer. It is safer to say, “Yes, that’s
right,” immediately after giving the correct answer.
7. Avoid “yes” or “no” questions. Listeners have a fifty percent chance of
being correct, no matter what they reply, when the question requires only
a simple “yes” or “no” answer. Moreover, the point of interactive
questioning is to have listeners repeat the important pieces of
information which they should be learning. In line 50 of the script
above, for example, it might seem more natural for Binod to ask, “Tell
me, can you recall the analogy she used” That question, however, could
invite a simple response of “yes” or “no” from the listener. The question
is framed, therefore, in a different way: “Tell me—if you recall it—what
was that analogy”
Types of Post-Program Interactivity
There also are a variety of ways to invite listeners to respond or react to a
drama after the conclusion of the day’s broadcast.
1. Letters. Listeners can be invited to write to the organizers of a radio
program, either submitting questions, telling their own experiences, or
sharing their ideas on the topic under discussion (e.g., family planning).
Some radio dramas allow a few minutes at the end of each broadcast for
a “Listeners’ Forum,” during which letters from listeners are read and
their questions answered by an expert. Alternatively, every tenth program
in a series might be devoted entirely to a Listeners’ Forum. Early
programs should air a few specially constructed prototype letters to give
listeners an idea of the kinds of questions and suggestions that would be
welcome. The address to which listeners should send their letters should
be announced at the end of each program.
Some radio projects even prepare special post cards or aerograms
bearing the project logo to mail as a “thank you” to each listener who
sends in a letter or question. This lets listeners know that their
contributions are important, even if not all letters can be read on the air.