from training.npr.org: https://training.npr.org/2021/07/30/radio-writing-to-digital-writing/
Writing & Voice

Use this radio-to-web cheat sheet to write for digital with ease
Plenty of broadcast reporters and editors think of digital stories as an afterthought.

The case against collocations, word pairs that stifle creativity
Tired of using “fearless leader,” “stony silence” or other hackneyed duos? You should be. Break the habit.

Nut graf and lead duos that point readers in the right direction
Certain pairings are better than others. We present some compatible couples.

For digital, flatten the pyramid and embrace the trapezoid
If you’re wedded to the inverted pyramid (or just don’t know any better), don’t get to the point — end on a flat note. Metaphorically.

During the pandemic, cover those we’ve left out
In times of crisis, journalists have the responsibility — even more so than usual — to seek out people who are often passed over by the media, even as stay-at-home orders make it harder to reach them.

It’s not a ‘Chinese’ virus: Let’s avoid pernicious shorthands
“Chinese virus.” “Hindu mobs.” Using geography, ethnicity and religion as modifiers is questionable at best and dangerous at worst.

The haiku of radio journalism: how to write a newscast spot
A spot must tell a complete story — no matter how complex or involved — in under a minute. It’s not easy to write, but we have guidance.

If you do holiday service journalism, do this (not that)
It’s the time of year when few local and regional news outlets (including public radio) are spared. Here’s how to do it as best as it can be done.

Friends don’t let friends use snowclones (like this one)
You’re probably using these ubiquitous journalistic shortcuts without even knowing it.

Tips from the Twitterverse on surviving two-ways
Smile, remember to breathe and be prepared to improvise when you’re a reporter on a two-way.

The journey from print to radio storytelling: A guide for navigating a new landscape
Print and audio journalism exist in the same world — but the terrain is different. Let this serve as your map.

How NPR’s David Greene learned a new ‘art form’ in radio
The “Morning Edition” host came to NPR from newspapers. His advice on audio: Forget everything you know.

You asked: How do you tell a story in 3 acts?
The three-act structure is the most basic organization a story can have.

Aerobics for your voice: 3 tips for sounding better on air
To build a strong vocal presence for audio storytelling, you should practice a daily warm-up routine that involves body, breath and voice.

6 tips for catching your writing mistakes (and protecting your credibility)
No one is available to read behind you and it’s nearly time to hit “publish.” What do you do? Call on the copy editor within.

Radio intros: 5 examples of success
A good radio hooks your audience. Here are five examples of great intros — and why they work.

Beyond the 5 W’s: What should you ask before starting a story?
Print this poster, which has the six questions you should ask before starting a story.

A good lead is everything — here’s how to write one
The lead is the introduction — the first sentences — that should pique your readers’ interest and curiosity.

How to write short
Just because there’s a lot of online real estate available doesn’t mean every story is appropriate for long-form treatment.

How audio stories begin
At this hyper-competitive moment in audio, it’s essential to grab listeners at the very beginning of a story.

Reporter two-ways: how to sound natural, even with a script
For many radio reporters — even some of the most experienced ones — the prospect of talking on-air with a host can be daunting.

Don’t ‘radiosplain’ and other ways to report on communities that aren’t your own
We can all get better at talking to communities that are not our own. It requires listening, humility and the willingness to investigate our own biases.

How Joe Richman makes ‘Radio Diaries’
Joe Richman gives tape recorders to “ordinary” people and works with them to tell stories about their own lives.

How to inject ‘documentary flair’ into your story
Infuse documentary-style radio into everyday reporting (even when you think you don’t have the time or material).

6 NPR stories that breathe life into neighborhood scenes
Transcend scene-setting clichés. Here is a sampling of ways NPR journalists have done just that.

Active sound: How to find it, record it and use it
Active sound makes an audio story sparkle. It is sound that isn’t stuck in the background. It’s up-front. It shows character and action. Here’s how to capture it.

NPR’s Korva Coleman: Newscasts without panic
The NPR anchor’s guidance works for any public radio newscaster, in big markets and small.

Writing through sound: A toolbox for getting into and out of your tape
Note: If you’d like to watch the webinar version of this material, scroll to the bottom of the page. We make dozens of small decisions while writing an audio story.

What NPR One can teach us about radio intros
The listening app holds lessons — both positive and negative — for intro writers.

How NPR’s Carrie Johnson found her radio voice
For this correspondent, learning to write for radio required a special style of script-writing.

On deadline? Follow these tips to get on the air fast
Among these tips: Have “booty call” sources: They are always available and they know what you need.

An accuracy checklist to take with you
We all make mistakes — this checklist will help you make fewer of them.

How to use sound to make a news spot pop
Robert Garcia, executive producer of NPR’s Newscast Unit, shares examples of stand-out news spots and why they work.

Campfire tales: The essentials of writing for radio
Good copy effortlessly leads the listener from one piece of tape to the next. Find out how to accomplish this feat of writing grace.

What does a radio script look like?
Not every broadcast radio script looks the same! But there are elements every script should share. And here they are.

Radio 101: The life of a story from concept to air
If you are new to radio, this post should help demystify the process. The first step may be the hardest: finding the story.

How a long audio story is different from a short one
Longer pieces are not just stretched-out short pieces.

Radio intros: 7 engagement tips to keep listeners from hitting the skip button
Intros are the most important feature of your story — here’s how to write one.

How NPR’s Sam Sanders is finding his voice
Is there a typical public radio voice — perhaps a “white” voice? Is there room for new and different ways of speaking?

‘Would you say it that way?’ Tips on writing for your voice
Why is it so hard to write how we talk? Here are some essentials tips to capture the human voice in your radio writing.

Steve Inskeep: Three songs that will change how you write for radio
Let Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle be your guides.

‘Once upon a time’ and other devices for starting your story
Every story has its own style of adventure. Here are different ways to take listeners on a journey.