@mytechtoday/augment-extensions 0.4.0 → 0.7.0

package/augment-extensions/writing-standards/screenplay/rules/news-broadcasts.md

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+# News Broadcasts
+
+## Overview
+
+News broadcast scripts require factual accuracy, clear communication, precise timing, and adherence to journalistic ethics. Scripts must be written for teleprompter delivery while maintaining conversational tone and credibility.
+
+## Core Principles
+
+### SPJ Code of Ethics
+**Seek Truth and Report It**:
+- Verify information before publication
+- Identify sources clearly
+- Provide context
+- Avoid stereotyping
+- Support the open exchange of views
+
+**Minimize Harm**:
+- Balance public's need to know with potential harm
+- Show compassion for those affected by news
+- Recognize that private people have greater right to privacy
+- Be cautious about identifying juveniles
+
+**Act Independently**:
+- Avoid conflicts of interest
+- Refuse gifts and favors
+- Deny favored treatment to advertisers/donors
+- Resist internal and external pressure
+
+**Be Accountable and Transparent**:
+- Explain ethical choices to audiences
+- Respond quickly to questions
+- Acknowledge mistakes and correct them
+- Expose unethical conduct in journalism
+
+## Script Format
+
+### Anchor Script
+**Format**:
+```
+ANCHOR: JOHN SMITH
+STORY: CITY COUNCIL VOTE
+RUNTIME: 0:45
+DATE: 01/31/2026
+
+(JOHN - ON CAM)
+
+Good evening. The city council voted today
+to approve the new downtown development project.
+
+(TAKE PKG)
+
+[Package runs]
+
+(JOHN - ON CAM)
+
+The project is expected to break ground
+next spring.
+```
+
+### Timing Marks
+**Notation**:
+- **(0:00)** - Start time
+- **(0:15)** - 15-second mark
+- **(0:30)** - 30-second mark
+- **(TOTAL: 1:45)** - Total runtime
+
+### Teleprompter Formatting
+**Guidelines**:
+- ALL CAPS for anchor names
+- Mixed case for script text
+- Double-space between paragraphs
+- Clear pronunciation guides
+- Timing marks in margins
+- Camera cues in parentheses
+
+## Story Structure
+
+### Hard News Story
+**Structure** (30-90 seconds):
+1. **Lead** (5-10 seconds): Most important information
+2. **Body** (15-60 seconds): Supporting details, context
+3. **Close** (5-10 seconds): Future implications, wrap-up
+
+**Example**:
+```
+LEAD:
+A major fire destroyed a downtown warehouse
+early this morning, displacing 50 workers.
+
+BODY:
+Firefighters responded to the blaze at
+3 AM. No injuries were reported, but the
+building is a total loss. The cause remains
+under investigation.
+
+CLOSE:
+The company says it will relocate operations
+to a temporary facility while rebuilding.
+```
+
+### Feature Story
+**Structure** (1:30-3:00):
+1. **Hook** (10-15 seconds): Engaging opening
+2. **Nut Graf** (10-15 seconds): Why it matters
+3. **Development** (45-120 seconds): Details, interviews
+4. **Kicker** (10-15 seconds): Memorable ending
+
+## Writing Style
+
+### Conversational Tone
+**Guidelines**:
+- Write for the ear, not the eye
+- Use contractions
+- Active voice
+- Short sentences
+- Simple words
+- Conversational rhythm
+
+**Bad**:
+```
+The municipal government's legislative body
+convened to deliberate upon the proposed
+infrastructure improvements.
+```
+
+**Good**:
+```
+The city council met today to discuss
+plans for new roads and bridges.
+```
+
+### Clarity and Precision
+**Rules**:
+- One idea per sentence
+- Subject-verb-object order
+- Avoid jargon
+- Define technical terms
+- Use specific numbers
+- Attribute information
+
+### Present Tense
+**Usage**:
+- Use present tense when possible
+- Creates immediacy
+- Sounds more current
+- Engages viewers
+
+**Example**:
+```
+BAD: The mayor said yesterday...
+GOOD: The mayor says...
+```
+
+## Segment Types
+
+### Anchor Read (VO)
+**Format**:
+```
+(ANCHOR - ON CAM)
+
+ANCHOR
+A new study shows coffee may have
+health benefits.
+
+(TAKE VO - COFFEE SHOP B-ROLL)
+
+Researchers found that moderate coffee
+consumption is linked to lower risk
+of heart disease.
+
+(BACK TO ANCHOR)
+
+The study appears in today's Journal
+of Medicine.
+```
+
+### Package (PKG)
+**Structure**:
+- Reporter introduction (anchor)
+- Package video with reporter narration
+- Interviews/soundbites
+- Reporter stand-up
+- Reporter tag/sign-off
+- Anchor tag
+
+**Timing**: 1:15 - 2:30 typical
+
+### Live Shot
+**Format**:
+```
+(ANCHOR - ON CAM)
+
+ANCHOR
+For more on this story, we go live to
+reporter Sarah Johnson at City Hall.
+Sarah?
+
+(TAKE LIVE - SARAH AT CITY HALL)
+
+SARAH
+(live)
+John, city officials just wrapped up
+their meeting...
+
+[Live report]
+
+...Reporting live from City Hall,
+Sarah Johnson, Channel 5 News.
+
+(BACK TO ANCHOR)
+```
+
+### Interview/Q&A
+**Format**:
+```
+ANCHOR
+Joining us now is Dr. Jane Smith.
+Doctor, what can you tell us about
+this new treatment?
+
+DR. SMITH
+Well, the research shows...
+
+[Interview continues]
+```
+
+## B-Roll and Visual Notes
+
+### B-Roll Notation
+**Format**:
+```
+(VO - B-ROLL: FACTORY WORKERS)
+
+The plant employs 500 people and has
+been operating for 30 years.
+
+(B-ROLL: ASSEMBLY LINE)
+
+Production runs 24 hours a day, seven
+days a week.
+```
+
+### Visual Cues
+**Types**:
+- **(GRAPHIC: UNEMPLOYMENT RATE)** - Full-screen graphic
+- **(SUPER: DR. JANE SMITH / CARDIOLOGIST)** - Lower third
+- **(MAP: STORM PATH)** - Weather map
+- **(SPLIT SCREEN)** - Multiple images
+- **(CHROMAKEY)** - Green screen background
+
+## Timing and Pacing
+
+### Segment Timing
+**Standard Lengths**:
+- Anchor read: 15-30 seconds
+- VO (voice-over): 30-45 seconds
+- VO/SOT (with soundbite): 45-60 seconds
+- Package: 1:15-2:30
+- Live shot: 1:00-2:00
+
+### Reading Speed
+**Guidelines**:
+- 150-180 words per minute
+- Slower for complex information
+- Faster for breaking news
+- Pause for emphasis
+- Vary rhythm
+
+### Calculating Runtime
+**Formula**:
+- Count words in script
+- Divide by 160 (average WPM)
+- Add time for pauses, soundbites
+- Round up for safety
+
+## Soundbites (SOT)
+
+### Selection Criteria
+**Good Soundbite**:
+- Emotional or compelling
+- Adds information
+- Authentic voice
+- 8-15 seconds ideal
+- Clear audio
+
+**Avoid**:
+- Repeats anchor information
+- Too long (over 20 seconds)
+- Poor audio quality
+- Confusing or unclear
+- Requires extensive setup
+
+### Integration
+**Format**:
+```
+(ANCHOR VO)
+
+Witnesses describe a chaotic scene.
+
+(SOT: JOHN DOE / WITNESS - :08)
+
+"I've never seen anything like it.
+People were running everywhere."
+
+(ANCHOR VO)
+
+Police arrived within minutes.
+```
+
+## Breaking News
+
+### Breaking News Format
+**Structure**:
+```
+(BREAKING NEWS GRAPHIC)
+
+ANCHOR
+(urgent tone)
+We're following breaking news out of
+downtown. Reports of a major accident
+on the interstate.
+
+(TAKE LIVE - CHOPPER 5)
+
+Our Sky 5 helicopter is over the scene
+now. You can see...
+
+[Continue with available information]
+
+We'll bring you more details as they
+become available.
+```
+
+### Updates
+**Guidelines**:
+- Lead with new information
+- Recap briefly
+- Avoid speculation
+- Attribute sources
+- Update regularly
+
+## Ethical Considerations
+
+### Attribution
+**Always Attribute**:
+- Sources of information
+- Quotes and statements
+- Statistics and data
+- Opinions and analysis
+- Controversial claims
+
+**Format**:
+```
+According to police...
+The mayor says...
+A new study shows...
+Witnesses report...
+```
+
+### Accuracy
+**Verification**:
+- Confirm facts with multiple sources
+- Verify spelling of names
+- Check numbers and statistics
+- Confirm locations and times
+- Review before broadcast
+
+### Balance
+**Fair Reporting**:
+- Present multiple perspectives
+- Avoid bias in language
+- Give right of response
+- Provide context
+- Separate fact from opinion
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### DO
+✅ Write for the ear
+✅ Use active voice
+✅ Keep sentences short
+✅ Verify all facts
+✅ Attribute information
+✅ Time scripts accurately
+✅ Use present tense
+✅ Include pronunciation guides
+✅ Provide context
+✅ Follow ethical guidelines
+
+### DON'T
+❌ Use jargon or complex language
+❌ Write long, complex sentences
+❌ Bury the lead
+❌ Speculate or assume
+❌ Show bias
+❌ Plagiarize
+❌ Sensationalize
+❌ Invade privacy unnecessarily
+❌ Use unverified information
+❌ Ignore corrections
+
+## Pronunciation Guides
+
+### Format
+**Notation**:
+```
+The city of Poughkeepsie (puh-KIP-see)
+announced today...
+
+President Nguyen (WIN) will visit...
+
+The Eyjafjallajökull (AY-uh-fyat-luh-YOH-kuutl)
+volcano erupted...
+```
+
+### Guidelines
+- Phonetic spelling in parentheses
+- Capital letters for emphasis
+- Hyphens between syllables
+- Place immediately after word
+
+## Examples
+
+**News Script Example**:
+```
+ANCHOR: SARAH JONES
+STORY: SCHOOL FUNDING
+RUNTIME: 1:30
+DATE: 01/31/2026
+
+(SARAH - ON CAM)
+
+The school board approved a new budget
+tonight, but not without controversy.
+
+(TAKE PKG)
+
+[Package: 1:15]
+
+(SARAH - ON CAM)
+
+The budget takes effect July first.
+```
+