In this post, I want to talk about scriptwriting. Scripts are written to be heard, not read. Therefore, the writing style should be conversational. To add a conversational tone to the script, consider using contractions (e.g., isn’t instead of is not) and pronouns to make your eLearning content more personal (e.g., you instead of learner).
If, in the script, you use word combinations that are difficult to pronounce together, the talent may have a hard time reading them, and learners may have problems understanding what they hear. One way to avoid tongue twisters is to re-read the script multiple times and make relevant changes to wording and grammar.
ELearning courses should address multiple learning styles and meet accessibility requirements.
When your learners hear the audio recording, they should be able to tell when the topic is changing. To achieve this goal, instructional designers should check their script for appropriate transitions.
Another good practice for scriptwriting dictates that pauses should be incorporated into the script to indicate where the talent should stop and to give learners a chance to absorb the information. Additionally, using 12-point font and double-spacing the script will help the talent go through it more easily. Double-spaced scripts provide enough room for narrator to make notes when necessary. If the talent will be reading from a hard copy, it is best to use a serif font such as Times New Roman. Alternatively, using a sans-serif font such as Arial is preferred when reading from a computer screen.
Another way to help your talent is to spell out all URLs as well as terms or acronyms that are difficult to pronounce. The same principle applies to dollar amounts and dates. By following these simple rules, you will save a lot of time for both your talent and yourself as the audio recording session will not be interrupted for questions and clarifications.
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