News Commentary Script Template

[CLAIM FIRST - 0:00 to 0:20 | about 60 words]
State your conclusion in one sentence, before any context.
"[WHAT I THINK HAPPENED], and here is the part most coverage is skipping."
Name the story and the date on screen so the video stays datable.

[WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED - 0:20 to 1:30 | about 272 words]
Give the plainest possible account of the facts, with no opinion in it at all.
"Here is what the report says, in its own words."
Put the original source on screen: headline, date, and outlet.

[WHY I READ IT THAT WAY - 1:30 to 4:00 | about 453 words]
"The reason this is bigger than it looks: [MECHANISM OR PRECEDENT]."
Walk the inference in visible steps, one sentence each.
"Step one: [FACT]. Step two: [INFERENCE]. Step three: [WHAT FOLLOWS]."

[THE STRONGEST OBJECTION - 4:00 to 6:00 | about 362 words]
"Here is the best argument against me: [STRONGEST OPPOSING CASE]."
Take it seriously for two sentences before you answer it.
"If that is right, then [WHAT WOULD HAVE TO BE TRUE]."

[WHERE I COULD BE WRONG - 6:00 to 7:30 | about 272 words]
Name the specific thing that would change your mind.
"If [SPECIFIC EVENT] happens, I am wrong about this, and I will say so on this channel."
"Here is what I do not know yet: [OPEN QUESTION]."

[WHAT TO WATCH NEXT - 7:30 to 9:00 | about 272 words]
"Three things to watch over the next [PERIOD]: [SIGNAL ONE], [SIGNAL TWO], [SIGNAL THREE]."
Keep them checkable, so the viewer can hold you to them.

[CLOSE - 9:00 to 10:00 | about 181 words]
Restate the claim in one sentence, then hand the floor over.
"Tell me in the comments where the inference breaks for you. I read those."