Guide

How to write a teleprompter script (with a template)

Scripts written to be read silently trip you up when you say them out loud. These rules turn any draft into something you can deliver smoothly from a teleprompter, plus a copy-ready template for a short talking-head video.

By the Tuzu Teleprompter teamUpdated 2 November 20266 min read

Seven rules for spoken scripts

One idea per sentence. If a sentence has two commas and an "and", it's probably two sentences.
Keep sentences under about 20 words. You need to say each one on a single breath.
Write how you talk. Use contractions (it's, you'll, don't) and the words you'd use in conversation.
Address one viewer. "You", not "you all" or "viewers".
Say numbers the way you'd say them. "About forty percent", not "39.7%". Spell out anything you'd pronounce differently from how it's written.
Signpost. "Three things." "Here's the catch." "Last one." Listeners can't scroll back; tell them where they are.
Read it aloud before you finalise. Every stumble is a rewrite.

Formatting for the prompter

Blank line between paragraphs: it shows up as a gap, which is a natural pause. In the Tuzu online teleprompter each paragraph becomes its own block.
CAPS for the single word to stress in a sentence. Don't overdo it.
Stage directions in brackets, on their own line: [SMILE], [CUT TO DEMO], [SLIDE 3].
Phonetic spelling for tricky names: Nguyen (WIN).
No bullet symbols or tables. They don't read well at size. Use short lines instead.

Template: 60–90 second talking-head video

Roughly 150–220 words. Replace the brackets, then check the length in the speech time calculator.

[HOOK — one line that names the problem or promise] Most people [common mistake]. Here's how to [result] in [time]. [CREDIBILITY — optional, one line] I'm [name], and I [relevant experience]. [POINT 1] First, [action]. That means [simple explanation]. [POINT 2] Second, [action]. For example, [concrete example]. [POINT 3] And the one people skip: [action]. It matters because [reason]. [RECAP] So: [point 1], [point 2], [point 3]. [CALL TO ACTION — one clear ask] If this helped, [subscribe / try it / reply with your question].

Paste your finished script straight into the online teleprompter; it keeps blank lines and line breaks.

Using AI to draft a script

AI assistants are useful for a first draft or for tightening an existing one. The Tuzu app has a ChatGPT-based assistant built in. To get a draft you can actually say:

Give it the format and length: "a 60-second script, about 150 words, for a selfie video".
Ask for spoken style: "short sentences, contractions, no headings or bullet points".
Give it the facts. Don't rely on the model for numbers, names or claims, and verify anything it adds.
Then apply the seven rules above. AI drafts tend to be wordy and formal; cut by a third.

Frequently asked questions

How many words should a teleprompter script be?

Multiply the target length in minutes by your speaking rate. At 150 words per minute, a 1-minute video is about 150 words and a 5-minute video about 750. The calculator does this for any length.

Should I write a full script or bullet points?

A full script when wording matters: ads, hooks, explanations, anything with legal or factual precision. Bullet notes for conversational formats like calls, Q&As and podcasts, where reacting matters more than exact wording.

What font size should a teleprompter script be?

Big enough to read without leaning in from your recording position, which is usually 40–56 px on a laptop at arm's length and 70–90 px on a tablet under glass. Keep lines to five to eight words.

Draft and record in one app

Tuzu for iPhone and iPad includes an AI script assistant and records with your script over the camera.

See what the app does