Writing a medical script for narration is different from writing text meant to be read only. If your medical script is destined to be read by a voiceover narrator, it has to sound like the language a person would use when talking. As a voiceover narrator, my goal is to bring your script to life and make dense medical information accessible to your audience. Whether you’re writing eLearning, explainers, or videos for healthcare professionals or the general public, here are a few key best practices to follow based on my 25 years of experience as a medical narrator to ensure your scripts intended to be read aloud are seamless.
1. Write for Voiceover with the Spoken Word in Mind
Medical writing is often chock full of technical detail, but when you’re writing for narration, conversational flow is king and clarity is queen. Long sentences and structured descriptions that work well on paper, are hard to follow when spoken aloud. Kellogg and Green found that written sentences average 20-25 words, whereas spoken sentences are about 10-15 words. So when writing medical scripts for voiceover, stick to short, concise sentences that break down the ideas into more manageable chunks.
For instance, rather than writing:
- “Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) often require dialysis to manage kidney failure, but it’s important to note that while dialysis can help, it doesn’t cure the underlying disease or prevent further complications from arising.”
You could try:
- “End-stage renal disease, or ESRD, often requires dialysis. While dialysis helps manage kidney failure, it doesn’t cure the disease or stop complications.”
We often use more words in text to better elucidate points that can be made with vocal shifts when spoken aloud. Even with dense or technical ideas, spoken English is short and sweet. Writing medical scripts for voiceover with this in mind, rely on your narrator to keep the pacing smooth and ensure key points stand out. This makes it easier for the listener to grasp.
Why it Matters
Research by Kessels shows that breaking down complex information into digestible pieces ileads to better comprehension, especially when that information is presented aloud. Simple edits like writing “let’s” instead of “let us” also make a written script sound more like speech.
2. Provide a Pronunciation Guide or Set a Default
Medical terms can be tricky to pronounce, even to healthcare professionals, and especially when they’re new, unusual or highly technical. Save time in back and forth and help your narrator. Give them a pronunciation guide for difficult terms. A little phonetic help goes a long way in ensuring the narration flows smoothly and confidently.
For instance, if your script includes a term like “pharyngolaryngeal,” spell it out phonetically, like:
“pharyngolaryngeal [fuh-RING-goh-luh-RIN-jee-uhl]”
A seasoned medical narrator will have a good vocabulary, but there are regional differences in pronunciation. Sharing your preference (or your client’s preference) saves time and effort all around.
If you’re not able to provide specific pronunciation guides for every term, it’s helpful to set a default pronunciation. Using a trusted source like Merriam-Webster ensures consistency across the script. That way, when you run into terms with multiple pronunciation options, the narrator knows which one to use. I often gain agreement before beginning a narration with my plan to default to Merriam Webster, first pronunciation, like in this example for in situ, which has 3 pronunciations
3. Be Mindful of Scientific Notation and Abbreviations
Medical scripts often use scientific terminology for measurements and common abbreviations. While understood in written text and among experienced medical voiceover narrators, notations like “mg/dL” or “p < 0.0001”, will affect your word count and estimated finish time. Abbreviations can be tricky. For instance, “mAbs” will likely be read as “mabs” (pronounced like a word) instead of “monoclonal antibodies,” unless you clarify it in the script.
Suggestion:
- Instead of leaving “mAbs” alone, write “monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).”
If your audience is healthcare professionals, abbreviations will probably be understood without issue. But for a wider audience, it’s best to spell things out at least once before switching to shorthand.
4. Structure for Pacing and Emphasis
Great voiceover narrators know where to pause and what to emphasize, no matter the content. But as a scriptwriter, you can make it easier for them by structuring your script for natural pacing. We see punctuation like road signs. Effectively using commas, periods, and dashes creates a rhythm that your narrator can follow. This helps them sift complex information, emphasizing the words that underpin your concepts, making the most sense to your listeners.
For example, consider:
- “Blood pressure readings of 180/120 mmHg are classified as hypertensive crisis, a condition that requires immediate medical intervention to prevent severe complications like stroke or heart attack.”
Your narrator would most likely emphasize “hypertensive crisis” and “immediate medical intervention.” Using commas or periods effectively, aids in hitting those key points well and using good pacing.
5. Know Your Audience
The detail in your script should reflect your audience. If the script is geared for healthcare professionals, go ahead and use technical terms liberally. This is the vocabulary these people swim in everyday. But if you’re writing for the general public or to patients, you’ll need to take a skillful hand to simplify things without diluting your content.
For example, if talking about “tachycardia,” a more approachable expression of the term might be “a fast heart rate.” These common words are more relatable and less intimidating for listeners who might not have a medical background.
Write Medical Scripts for Voiceover with your Narrator in Mind
Writing medical scripts for voiceover narration is about more than just clarity and accuracy—you need to make sure your script works well for spoken delivery. Keep your narrator in mind, but also think about how these words will land on the ears of your listeners. By focusing on short, clear sentences, providing pronunciation guides, and being mindful of abbreviations, you’ll make the narrator’s job easier and your script more effective. Ultimately, your goal is to create a script that’s informative and easy to follow, regardless of whether the audience is a patient, a healthcare professional, or a general listener.