How to Write a Video Script With AI (Prompts and Examples)
Updated
Tell the AI the goal of the video, who it is for, how long it should be and the format you want. Ask for a two-column script with what is seen and what is said, read it aloud against a timer, and check every fact before you record.
Rather not write it yourself? Use the “Step-by-Step Tutorial Video with Script and B-roll” template: fill in a form and copy the prompt.
Three decisions to make before you prompt
A weak script is rarely the AI's fault; it is usually a vague request. Decide three things first, because everything else depends on them.
- Goal: what the viewer should know, feel or do by the end. One thing only.
- Audience: who is watching, what they already know and where they will watch (a social app, your website, a meeting).
- Length and format: a short vertical clip, a screen-recorded tutorial, a presentation, a talking-head explainer. Each needs a different pace.
If you can't state the goal, write it as one sentence: 'I want anyone who watches this to know...'. If you can't finish it, the script will come out muddled however well the AI writes.
The basic structure behind most scripts
Formats differ, but most scripts share the same skeleton: an opening that says what the video is about, a body split into small blocks and a close that says what to do next. Ask the AI to keep that structure visible so you can edit it.
Act as a video scriptwriter. Write a script for a [length] video about [topic]. Audience: [description]. Goal: the viewer will [specific outcome]. Tone: [friendly / professional / instructional]. Format: a table with three columns: scene, visual (what is on screen) and voiceover (what is said, written as it would be spoken). Structure: opening, body in [3] blocks and a close with [call to action]. Limits: short sentences, no jargon, and no invented facts or quotes. If you need a fact I haven't given you, leave a [bracketed placeholder] instead of making one up.
Scripts for step-by-step tutorials
A tutorial has an extra demand: the steps must be correct and in the order the viewer will follow them. AI can help you order them and word each explanation, but the steps themselves should come from you, from what you have actually tried.
Turn these steps into the script for a [length] tutorial video. Topic: how to [do something specific]. Steps I have tested myself: 1. [step] 2. [step] 3. [step] Audience: people who [experience level]. Format: a table with the step, what is on screen (which click or window) and what is said. At the start, add what the viewer needs to have ready; at the end, add a short recap list of the steps. Don't add steps I haven't written. If you think one is missing, flag it as a suggestion at the end.
Record the tutorial following the script, with the app or process open. If a step doesn't work the way the script says, fix the script, not the video.
Write for the ear, not the page
A line that reads well can sound stiff when spoken. Once you have a draft, ask the AI to adapt it to how people talk, then read it aloud with a timer. Wherever you stumble, rewrite.
Rewrite this script so it sounds natural when spoken aloud. Rules: sentences under 20 words, one clear verb per sentence, no parentheses or hard-to-say figures, and spell out abbreviations. Keep the meaning and the order. Mark [pause] where a speaker would breathe or the picture should change. [paste your script here]
Check what the AI wrote before you record
AI can state things confidently that aren't true: figures, names, dates, software features or quotes. If your video informs or teaches, this check is not optional.
- Verify every fact, date, name and claim against sources you have looked at yourself. If you can't confirm it, cut it.
- Don't put quotes or statements in anyone's mouth unless you can show where they come from.
- If the script mentions a tool or service, open its current documentation: features and pricing change.
- If you plan to use AI-generated images, voices or presenters, label them where the platform or the law requires it, and don't imitate real people without their permission.
- Avoid third-party text and music you don't have clear rights to.
Common mistakes
- Asking for 'a script about X' without saying audience, length or goal.
- Trying to say everything: one video, one idea.
- Not describing what is on screen, and ending up with narration and no pictures.
- Using the first draft without reading it aloud.
- Treating the AI's facts as verified.
PromptNow templates for video scripts
PromptNow's step-by-step tutorial video template asks for your topic, your audience level and your steps in a form and generates a complete prompt for the script. It suits you when you want the order of the steps to be yours.
For short vertical clips, the short-form video script template does the same with topic, length and tone. In both cases you get a prompt to paste into your AI assistant; the result is yours to review and adjust.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put in the prompt to get a good video script?
The goal of the video, the audience, the length, the format you want (such as two columns), the tone and any facts only you know. Also ask it not to invent information and to question you if something is missing.
How do I know how long a script will run?
Read it aloud at your normal pace with a timer. It is more reliable than counting words, because people speak at different speeds and pauses and visuals add time.
Can I use an AI-written script as it is?
It is better not to. Read it aloud, adapt it to the way you speak and verify the facts. AI can write incorrect figures or claims with great confidence.
Does the same prompt work for a short clip and a long tutorial?
The base does, but length, pace and structure change. A short clip needs an immediate hook; a tutorial needs clear steps in order. Say which one you want in the prompt.