Scope of Work

Scriptwriters in the educational sector of writing are mostly focused on writing scripts for educational videos, podcasts or films which serve as learning aids. Some may find full-time work in this sector whereas others might do this work as part of another job in writing.

What you Need to Learn

• Script writing skills – understanding how to write educational scripts, technical styles

• General writing skills - grammar, punctuation, sentence structure

• Creative aids - tools and techniques to enhance natural creativity, dealing with writer's block, vocabulary enrichment, idea diaries

• Planning work - working out structure, beginning, middle and end, scenes, word count

• Organisation skills - when & how to work, time management, goal setting, working to deadlines, planning rehearsals

• Research - understanding your subject material, fact checking, spell checking

• Communication - liaising with educators, publishers, editors, interviewing people to gather information, liaising with producers, directors, cameramen

• Technical skills - understanding IT, computers and software, publishing platforms, printing

Starting a Career

People who end up writing educational scripts generally start out doing other things first. Some may have begun as teachers, but others come from different fields where they have accrued transferable knowledge.

There are some who work their way up towards writing educational scripts. They may start by volunteering to write signs or instruction leaflets for local schools or clubs. This could lead to part time employment, perhaps writing signage or safety proceedings for a local business. Or maybe they produce their own educational videos and post them online. They are then able to secure better positions like script writing for a local radio station on educational podcasts. 

Progressing A Career

To make the most of a career in educational script writing it is necessary to have a lot of skills. This means you’ll have to keep adding to your skill set so you can take any available work which comes your way.

  The best ways to keep improving include:

• Watching educational films and analysing the scripts

• Joining writing clubs

• Investing in software to assist with writing

• Networking with other writers

• Taking writing courses

• Taking IT courses

The best courses are those that test you on what you have learned, and give you an opportunity to submit written work for assessment by experienced tutors. There are an increasing number of online courses available which can help to fill gaps in knowledge.