Why You Need a Script (Even If You Hate Scripts)
I know what you're thinking.
"Scripts feel unnatural. I just want to talk like myself."
I get it. Really, I do.
But here's what happens when you wing it:
- You ramble for 20 minutes when 7 would do
- You forget important points and remember them afterward
- You say "um" and "you know" 47 times
- You go on tangents that confuse students
- You have to do take after take after take
A good script doesn't make you sound robotic. It makes you sound prepared.
Let me show you how.
The Scripting Spectrum
You don't have to write every word. There's a spectrum of scripting approaches.
Full Script
Write every word you'll say. Read from a teleprompter or memorize.
Best for: Beginners, complex topics, lessons where precision matters.
Watch out for: Sounding stiff if you don't practice reading naturally.
Detailed Outline
Write bullet points for each section. Know what you'll cover, but speak freely.
Best for: Confident speakers, conversational topics, when authenticity matters.
Watch out for: Going off on tangents, missing key points.
Hybrid Approach
Script your opening and closing word-for-word. Outline the middle.
Best for: Most course creators. Combines structure with naturalness.
Watch out for: The middle section still needs enough detail to keep you on track.
The 5-Part Lesson Script Structure
Whatever scripting approach you choose, use this structure.
Part 1: The Hook (30–60 seconds)
Grab attention immediately. Don't waste time on "Hey everyone, welcome back..."
Effective hooks:
- Ask a question: "Have you ever felt stuck staring at a blank screen?"
- Make a bold claim: "Most advice about X is completely wrong."
- Promise a result: "By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to..."
- Share a relatable struggle: "I used to spend hours on this. Then I found..."
Example: "Why do 90% of landing pages fail to convert? Because they break one simple rule. I'm going to show you what that rule is—and how to never break it again."
Part 2: Context (1–2 minutes)
Give students just enough background to understand what follows.
This is where many creators over-explain. Keep it tight.
What to include:
- Why this topic matters now
- How it connects to what they've learned
- Any prerequisites or setup needed
What to cut:
- History lessons they don't need
- Definitions they already know
- Anything that doesn't serve THIS lesson
Part 3: Core Teaching (3–6 minutes)
This is the meat. The actual skill or concept.
Structure options:
Step-by-step: "First... then... finally..." Problem/solution: "The problem is X. The solution is Y." Myth-busting: "You've heard X, but actually Y." Framework: "There are three parts to this: A, B, and C."
Key principles:
- One main idea per lesson
- Use concrete examples
- Show, don't just tell
- Anticipate confusion points
Part 4: Example or Demo (1–3 minutes)
Show the concept in action.
Options:
- Live demonstration
- Case study walkthrough
- Before/after comparison
- Screen recording
"Let me show you exactly what I mean..."
Part 5: Action Step (30–60 seconds)
Never end without telling students what to do next.
Strong closings:
- "Before moving on, I want you to..."
- "Pause this video and take 5 minutes to..."
- "In your workbook, complete exercise 3..."
- "In the next lesson, we'll build on this by..."
Weak closings:
- "Okay, so that's about it..."
- "Let me know if you have questions..."
- "See you in the next one!"
Writing Scripts That Sound Natural
Here's where most scripts fail. They read like essays.
Spoken language is different from written language. Honor that.
Write Like You Talk
Read your script out loud as you write it. If it sounds weird, rewrite it.
Written style: "It is essential that you complete this step before proceeding to the subsequent module."
Spoken style: "Do this step first. Then move on to the next module."
Use Contractions
"You're" not "you are." "Don't" not "do not." "It's" not "it is."
Scripts without contractions sound robotic.
Keep Sentences Short
Long sentences are hard to read aloud. They also lose students.
Max sentence length: 15–20 words. Shorter is usually better.
Use "You" Constantly
Make it personal. The student should feel like you're talking to them.
"You're going to love this technique." "Here's what you need to understand." "Try this yourself before continuing."
Add Breathing Room
Include natural pauses in your script. Use line breaks.
This helps you read naturally and gives students time to process.
The Scripting Workflow
Here's my recommended process for creating scripts efficiently.
Step 1: Outline First (10 minutes)
Write the main points you need to cover. Don't worry about words yet.
- Hook idea:
- Context needed:
- Point 1:
- Point 2:
- Point 3:
- Example:
- Action step:
Step 2: Talk It Through (5 minutes)
Without writing, talk through the lesson as if a friend asked you about it.
Record this on your phone if it helps.
Notice what comes naturally. Notice what feels clunky.
Step 3: Write the Script (15–20 minutes)
Now write. Use your outline and your verbal run-through.
Don't edit as you write. Just get it down.
Step 4: Read Aloud and Edit (10 minutes)
Read the entire script aloud. Mark anything that trips you up.
Simplify sentences. Cut unnecessary words. Add transitions.
Step 5: Practice Once More (5 minutes)
Read through one more time. Make final adjustments.
Total time: About 45–50 minutes per lesson script.
Scripting Hacks That Save Time
The Modular Script Approach
Create reusable templates for common elements:
Standard intro: "Welcome back. In the last lesson, you learned [X]. Today, we're building on that with [Y]."
Standard outro: "That's [topic]. Before you move on, [action step]. See you in the next lesson."
Fill in the blanks. Save mental energy.
Batch Your Scripting
Don't script and record the same day.
Day 1: Script 3–5 lessons Day 2: Review and refine scripts Day 3: Record
Your brain works differently when writing vs. performing.
Use AI as a First Draft Tool
AI writing tools can create rough drafts that you edit.
Prompt example: "Write a 500-word script for a course lesson about [topic]. Make it conversational, use short sentences, and include a hook, teaching section, example, and action step."
You'll still need to edit heavily. But it beats starting from blank.
Common Scripting Mistakes
The Slow Start
Don't waste the first minute on greetings and recaps. Get to the point.
The Data Dump
Don't cover 10 points in one lesson. Students can't absorb it. Pick 1–3.
The Missing Transition
Moving between sections without signaling confuses students.
Use transition phrases: "Now that we've covered X, let's look at Y."
The Filler Language
Cut these:
- "So basically..."
- "You know what I mean?"
- "Like I said..."
- "To be honest..."
- "Obviously..."
They add nothing.
The Premature End
Don't just stop. Wrap up intentionally. Tell them what to do. Set up the next lesson.
Script Templates to Get You Started
Template 1: The How-To Lesson
HOOK: "Struggling with [common problem]? Here's the fix."
CONTEXT: "Before we dive in, make sure you've [prerequisite]."
STEP 1: "[First step]—here's exactly how..."
STEP 2: "[Second step]—now we..."
STEP 3: "[Third step]—finally..."
EXAMPLE: "Let me show you this in action..."
CLOSE: "Now it's your turn. [Specific action] before moving on."
Template 2: The Concept Lesson
HOOK: "Why does [confusing thing] happen? It comes down to one principle."
CONTEXT: "You've probably experienced [relatable situation]..."
THE CONCEPT: "[Core idea] works like this..."
WHY IT MATTERS: "This affects you because..."
HOW TO APPLY: "In practice, this means..."
EXAMPLE: "Here's a real situation where this played out..."
CLOSE: "Remember [key takeaway]. Apply this to [specific action]."
Your One Small Win Today
Take one lesson you've been planning.
Write a bullet-point outline using the 5-part structure:
- Hook
- Context
- Core teaching
- Example
- Action step
Just the outline. Don't write the full script yet.
Tomorrow, expand it.
Next Step: Want to keep students even more engaged? Learn about Gamification for Creators—simple ways to add motivation mechanics to your course.