This guide covers how instructors can:
- Consider how a script is different from a lecture
- Segment content into chunks for better cognition
- Begin writing a video script
- Read the script aloud and find points to edit for increased clarity
Less is more
When it comes to video, less is more (for both length and content). Aim to write a video script significantly shorter than a full-length lecture in order to reduce cognitive load and maintain student engagement. Research shows that the maximum median engagement time (average student watch time) for video is 6 minutes; student engagement drops the longer a video,
show that median student engagement time for a video about 6 minutes in length is close to 100%; in other words, students tend to watch the whole video. For videos that extend to 40 minutes, the media student engagement time dropped to less than 20%. The point is: Videos in the 6-9 minute range work best.
Following a video script keeps you on track to deliver a concise, clear video lecture. If you delivered a lecture from memory—“winging it,” in other words—it would be much more difficult to deliver the same concise lesson without going off on a tangent, or hesitating a few times, and the video length would increase.
Aim for concise, focused video scripts in the range of 6-9 minutes to promote maximum student engagement (intro videos can be shorter, demos and technical concepts can be longer). Don’t try to address multiple topics in one video script. Instead, break up a complex topic into two, or three shorter videos. Reducing the amount of content in one video does NOT reduce the amount of learning that happens.
Shorter, more concise video scripts actually maximize student learning.
Segment content
Complex topics that require more than 10 minutes need to be segmented and then sequenced into a series of shorter videos. Break down longer lectures or scripts into shorter segments, or chunks, so each video covers a single topic or learning objective. Multiple short videos will allow your students to stay engaged and focused on the key material.
The placement of videos in the Learning Management System can help facilitate this scaffolding of learning. Often, instructors and developers start the week or module with a general overview and wrap up the content at the end. The middle segments can contain a thoughtful selection of videos that support the week’s learning objectives.
Research behind the Segmenting Principle:
The Segmenting Principle states that students learn better when multimedia information is presented in bite-sized segments rather than as a continuous unit. When students have control over the pace of their learning through shorter chunked content, they perform better on memory / recall tests.
You can apply this principle by planning each video so it’s focused on one important point. Plan to chunk longer, complex concepts into a series of shorter videos.
Conversational and clear
Short and clear sentences work best in video. As you write the script, aim for less commas and conjunctions, and more periods! Short sentences allow listeners to more easily keep up with your ideas.
Think about writing a script in the same way you might have a conversation. This style helps your audience stay engaged with the lesson and feel more socially connected to you. Additionally, placing students in your lessons by using “you” and “I” personalizes the instruction and motivates learners to better understand concepts.
These days students can always find facts and information via Google searches; what you bring to this video, with years of expertise and experience, are the personal anecdotes, and insights, and wisdom that will make this topic come alive.
Accessible, consistent experience
In video format, it’s important that the words in the script match the visuals or text visible on screen. In person you can easily refer to material in your slides, rely on context, and pick up on cues from your students. Video requires you to maintain a tight connection between what you show and say in order to prevent confusion.
Any visuals you have should be called out explicitly in the script and you should include audio descriptions and descriptive language as much as possible. This is essential to ensure accessibility and ensure students are following both the visuals and lecture. It’s good practice to consider what visual images can pair with the script, as you create a script. Matching the script with specific visuals is part of the process of creating a storyboard for each video.
Tips for success
To get started, sometimes it’s easiest to “talk” out your script. Humans read words differently than we speak, so practice reading a video script aloud.
You can read aloud from notes used for an in-person lecture, and type the script as you go, using short, simple sentences as much as possible.
Google Docs offers a “Type with your Voice” feature that will transcribe speech-to-text as you “talk” out your script.
Avoid using slang. Slang is made up words that not everyone understands.
Do use natural figures of speech, such as grammatical contractions: Say: “We’ll be discussing,” as opposed to “we will be discussing.”
For technical language or jargon, include a plain-language description of the term on first use, so your audience is clear what you’re talking about when you use the term again.
Use vignettes about your personal experience using/doing/experiencing this topic! These little stories help personalize the content and foster more audience engagement with you and the subject.
Read it aloud—again. The best time to make changes to the script is when you read back over the lines you’ve written and note the phrases or word combinations that you “trip over.” Rewrite or replace those words to create a conversational script that “rolls smoothly off your tongue.”
(Note: It’s not out of the ordinary to read aloud and edit/adjust a script (or outline) multiple times until to arrive at the cleanest, clearest version of what you want to say.
Script formatting
It’s easier to read and deliver a script when it’s formatted so you don’t read full paragraphs.
Use multiple line breaks between short sections of text. Ideally each section is one or two sentences in length, so you can focus on each line of text in your delivery.
CAPITALIZE, bold or indent key words and phrases you want to clearly enunciate and emphasize.
Reserve a one-to-one training session with an Instructor Development Specialist on the Continuum College: Training Calendar.
More information about creating Panopto videos.
Updated 02/10/23