Courses > Writing for radio

Our radio writing course is made up of eight lessons that cover the following topics. Click on a link below to find out more about a lesson. Each lesson is accompanied by exercise work and you will be invited to work on your own ideas as well during the course.

• Lesson 1: Where the Differences Begin
• Lesson 2: Getting Ideas for Radio Stories
• Lesson 3: Presenting Your Work to Radio Editors
• Lesson 4: Building Up Suspense
• Lesson 5: The Radio Documentary
• Lesson 6: Excerpts from Radio Play
• Lesson 7: The Writing Bank
• Lesson 8: Making a Start

Lesson 1: Where the Differences Begin

This lesson covers:

• Some basic truths about Radio Writing
• Analysis of a broadcast short story
• How to construct a script
• Exercise work

Lesson 2: Getting Ideas for Radio Stories

This lesson covers:

• The Radio medium
• Useful hints
• Exercise work

Lesson 3: Presenting Your Work to Radio Editors

This lesson covers:

• Tips for beginners
• How to keep your mind geared to writing
• Writing the synopsis
• The spin-off
• Sell a shorter version to the newspapers
• Exercise work

Lesson 4: Building Up Suspense

This lesson covers:

• From the idea to the story
• from the story to the play
• Word economy
• Common faults - how to avoid them
• When a short story intended for broadcasting grows out of hand - what to do
• Examples from a broadcast story
• Exercise work

Lesson 5: The Radio Documentary

This lesson covers:

• How to adapt your own work and ideas for radio
• Copyright
• How to write a scene order
• Timing your script
• Sample of how to begin your play

Lesson 6: Excerpts from Radio Play

This lesson covers:

• The use of words
• Convincing dialogue
• Starting a play

Lesson 7: The Writing Bank

This lesson covers:

• How to introduce new characters
• Use of telephone
• Suspense
• Conflict
• Atmosphere

Lesson 8: Making a Start

This lesson covers:

• What to write about
• Music
• Business
• Write a Play for the Bureau