Narration Scripting

Comprehensive guide to writing narration scripts optimized for video production, TTS synthesis, and audience engagement.

Overview

• Writing scene-by-scene narration for demo videos

• Timing synchronization between visuals and voice

• Pacing narration for optimal comprehension

• CTA scripting that converts viewers

• TTS-optimized script formatting

• Multi-format narration (horizontal, vertical, square)

Core Principle

Narration = Visual Support + Comprehension Timing + Emotional Arc

Narration should enhance visuals, not compete with them. Words must land precisely when viewers need context, and pacing must match cognitive load.

Timing Fundamentals

Frame to Milliseconds Conversion

Frame Rate 1 Frame 15 Frames 30 Frames 60 Frames ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 24 fps 41.67ms 625ms 1250ms 2500ms 30 fps 33.33ms 500ms 1000ms 2000ms 60 fps 16.67ms 250ms 500ms 1000ms

Common Timing Shortcuts: ├── 30fps: Frame# x 33.33 = milliseconds ├── 24fps: Frame# x 41.67 = milliseconds └── 60fps: Frame# / 60 x 1000 = milliseconds

Sync Point Types

Type Symbol Usage Precision ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Hard Sync [!] Word lands on action +/- 2 frames Soft Sync [~] Word near action +/- 10 frames Window Sync [...] Word during scene Flexible Lead Sync [>] Word before action 100-300ms early Lag Sync [<] Word after action 100-500ms late

Words Per Minute (WPM) Guidelines

Comprehension-Based Pacing

Content Type WPM Range Pause Frequency Use Case ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Technical Demo 120-140 Every 8-10 words Complex UI, code Tutorial 130-150 Every 10-12 words Step-by-step Product Feature 140-160 Every 12-15 words Marketing, benefits Quick Overview 150-170 Every 15-20 words Intro sequences High Energy 170-190 Minimal pauses TikTok, Reels Documentary 110-130 Natural pauses Storytelling

Platform-Specific WPM

Platform WPM Range Why ──────────────────────────────────────────────────── TikTok 160-180 Fast scroll, hook fast Reels 150-170 Slightly slower aesthetic YouTube Shorts 140-160 More value-focused YouTube Long 130-150 Comprehension over speed LinkedIn 120-140 Professional, clear Twitter/X 150-170 Quick engagement

Calculating Script Length

Formula: (Video Duration in seconds) x (WPM / 60) = Word Count

Examples: ├── 15s video @ 150 WPM = 37 words ├── 30s video @ 140 WPM = 70 words ├── 60s video @ 130 WPM = 130 words ├── 5m video @ 140 WPM = 700 words └── 10m video @ 135 WPM = 1350 words

Include pause time: Effective words = Total words - (pause_count x 1.5)

Script Format Standard

Basic Script Block

Scene: [Scene Name]

Duration: [start] - [end] (total seconds) Visual: [What's on screen]

Narration: [!0:00.000] "First word lands exactly here." [~0:02.500] "This phrase starts around this mark." [...0:05-0:08] "This section plays during this window." [>0:10.000] "This leads INTO the next action." [<0:12.500] "This follows the completed action."

Pauses:

• [0:04.000] 300ms breath pause
• [0:08.500] 500ms dramatic pause

Notes:

• Emphasis on "exactly" and "action"
• Tone: Confident, clear

Extended Format with TTS Markers

Scene: Product Feature Demo

Duration: 0:15.000 - 0:30.000 (15s) Visual: Screen recording of feature in action

Narration (TTS-Optimized): [!0:15.000] "Watch how simple this is." {rate:0.9} [~0:17.500] "Just click... {pause:200ms} and drag." {rate:1.0} [!0:20.000] "The AI handles the rest." {emphasis:high} [...0:22-0:26] "No configuration needed. No learning curve." [>0:27.500] "Ready to try it yourself?" {tone:inviting}

TTS Parameters:

• Voice: Professional, warm (e.g., OpenAI "nova", Gemini "Kore")
• Base rate: 1.0x
• Pitch: Neutral

Sync Points:

• 0:15.000 [HARD] Word "Watch" on button hover
• 0:17.500 [SOFT] "click" during click animation
• 0:20.000 [HARD] "AI" on result appearing

Scene-by-Scene Templates

Demo Video Template (30s)

Scene 1: Hook

Duration: 0:00 - 0:03 (3s) Visual: Problem statement or pain point visual

Narration: [!0:00.000] "Tired of {problem}?" [~0:01.500] "There's a better way."

WPM: 160 (8 words / 3s) Tone: Empathetic, intriguing

Scene 2: Solution Intro

Duration: 0:03 - 0:08 (5s) Visual: Product/tool name reveal, interface preview

Narration: [!0:03.000] "Meet {ProductName}." [~0:04.500] "The {category} that actually works." [...0:06-0:08] "Let me show you."

WPM: 140 (12 words / 5s) Tone: Confident, friendly

Scene 3: Demo Action

Duration: 0:08 - 0:20 (12s) Visual: Screen recording of key feature

Narration: [!0:08.000] "Here's how it works." [~0:09.500] "Step one: {action}." [!0:12.000] "Step two: {action}." [~0:15.000] "And just like that..." [!0:17.000] "{Result in one sentence}." [...0:18-0:20] Pause for visual impact

WPM: 130 (26 words / 12s) Tone: Clear, instructional

Scene 4: CTA

Duration: 0:20 - 0:30 (10s) Visual: CTA screen with link/QR code

Narration: [!0:20.000] "Ready to {benefit}?" [~0:22.000] "Try {ProductName} free today." [!0:25.000] "Link in bio." OR "Click below." [...0:27-0:30] {Music swell, no narration}

WPM: 120 (15 words / 7.5s active narration) Tone: Inviting, urgent but not pushy

Tutorial Template (60s)

See: references/script-templates.md

Promo Template (15s)

See: references/script-templates.md

CTA Scripting Patterns

CTA Formula Framework

Pattern Script Template Use Case ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Direct Ask "Try {product} free today." Conversion-focused Benefit-First "Start {benefit}ing now." Value-focused Scarcity "Join {number} others before {time}." Urgency Social Proof "{Number} developers already use this." Trust-building Next Step "Here's what to do next..." Educational Question CTA "Ready to {transformation}?" Engagement

CTA Timing Rules

Video Length CTA Start CTA Duration Approach ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── <15s Last 3s 2-3s Direct, single CTA 15-30s Last 5s 3-5s Benefit + action 30-60s Last 8-10s 6-8s Setup + CTA + reinforce 60-120s Last 12-15s 8-12s Recap + CTA + social proof

2min Last 20-30s 15-20s Summary + CTA + next content

Platform-Specific CTAs

Platform CTA Script Pattern Notes ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── TikTok "Follow for more {topic}." Simple, immediate "Link in bio." Reels "Save this for later." Encourages saves "Share with someone who needs this." YouTube Shorts "Subscribe for more {topic}." Channel growth "Full tutorial linked above." YouTube Long "Like and subscribe." Engagement boost "Watch this next: [card]" Session time LinkedIn "What's your experience with this?" Comment engagement "DM me for the template." Lead generation

TTS Optimization

Script Formatting for TTS

DO:

• Use contractions: "It's" not "It is" (more natural)
• Write phonetically for tricky words: "GIF" → "gif" or "jif"
• Include punctuation for pauses: commas, periods, ellipses
• Mark emphasis with asterisks or {emphasis:word}
• Specify pronunciation: "Read" {rhymes with "red"}

DON'T:

• Use ALL CAPS (TTS reads as acronym)
• Include URLs verbatim (spell out or skip)
• Use special characters: &, @, # (except as words)
• Write numbers as digits for large numbers: "1,234,567"

TTS Markup Examples

Plain text: "Click the button and wait for results."

TTS-optimized: "Click the button... {pause:300ms} and wait for results."

With emphasis: "Click the button... {pause:300ms} and wait for results."

With rate control: "{rate:0.9}Watch carefully.{rate:1.1} This happens fast."

SSML format (advanced): <speak> Click the <emphasis level="moderate">button</emphasis> <break time="300ms"/> and wait for <prosody rate="slow">results</prosody>. </speak>

Voice Selection Guidelines

Content Type Recommended Voices Characteristics ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Technical Demo OpenAI: "onyx", Gemini: "Charon" Clear, authoritative Tutorial OpenAI: "nova", Gemini: "Kore" Warm, patient Marketing OpenAI: "alloy", Gemini: "Puck" Energetic, engaging Corporate OpenAI: "echo", Gemini: "Fenrir" Professional, calm Storytelling OpenAI: "fable", Gemini: "Aoede" Expressive, melodic

Sync Point Workflow

Pre-Production Sync Planning

1. Create rough edit with temporary VO or no audio
2. Mark key visual moments (timestamps)
3. Write narration to hit those marks
4. Calculate total word count vs. duration
5. Adjust pacing or cut visuals to match

Visual Moments to Mark: ├── Actions (clicks, transitions, animations) ├── Reveals (new screens, results, data) ├── Emphasis (key features, benefits) ├── Transitions (scene changes) └── CTA appearance

Post-Production Sync Adjustment

Problem Solution ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Narration too long Cut words, not speed up TTS Narration too short Add pauses, elaboration Hard sync misaligned Adjust video timing or rewrite phrase Multiple sync misses Re-evaluate structure TTS sounds rushed Lower WPM, add breath pauses TTS sounds slow Trim pauses, tighten phrases

Quick Reference: Narration Checklist

Pre-Write: [ ] Video duration confirmed [ ] Target WPM selected [ ] Key sync points identified [ ] CTA placement decided [ ] Voice/tone defined

During Write: [ ] Each scene has timing markers [ ] Pauses marked for breath/emphasis [ ] Technical terms phonetically noted [ ] Contractions used naturally [ ] Emphasis words identified

Post-Write: [ ] Word count within target [ ] All sync points achievable [ ] TTS test recorded [ ] Timing validated against video [ ] CTA clear and actionable

Related Skills

• video-pacing : Rhythm and timing patterns for video editing

• audio-language-models : TTS providers and voice synthesis

• demo-producer : Full demo video production workflow

• hook-formulas : Attention-grabbing opening patterns

• copywriting-patterns : Persuasive writing techniques

References

• Script Templates - Full templates for demo, tutorial, promo videos

• Timing Markers - Detailed sync point specification

• Pacing Guidelines - WPM targets and comprehension research

Capability Details

script-writing

Keywords: narration, script, voiceover, VO, dialogue, copy Solves:

• How do I write narration for a demo video?

• Script templates for video production

• Writing voice-over copy

timing-sync

Keywords: timing, sync, synchronization, markers, cue points Solves:

• How do I sync narration to video?

• Timing markers for TTS

• Frame-accurate voice alignment

pacing

Keywords: WPM, words per minute, pacing, speed, comprehension Solves:

• How fast should narration be?

• Calculating script length for video duration

• Platform-specific pacing

cta-scripting

Keywords: CTA, call to action, conversion, engagement Solves:

• How do I write a video CTA?

• CTA patterns for different platforms

• Closing scripts that convert

tts-optimization

Keywords: TTS, text-to-speech, voice synthesis, SSML Solves:

• How do I format scripts for TTS?

• Making AI voices sound natural

• TTS markup and emphasis