Glossary
YouTube scriptwriting glossary
Short, plain definitions with a worked example from a real-sounding script, and links to the terms each one depends on.
What are talking points on YouTube? · Hookquill
Talking points is a script mode where you write bullet points to speak around instead of scripting every word. Learn how and when to use it.
What are YouTube chapters? · Hookquill
YouTube chapters are timestamped sections in your video description that split the progress bar and let viewers jump to specific parts of your script.
What is a call to action on YouTube? · Hookquill
A call to action on YouTube is the one thing a creator asks a viewer to do. It works best when placed after the video delivers real value.
What is a click promise on YouTube? · Hookquill
A click promise is the expectation your title and thumbnail set together. Your first thirty seconds must confirm it or viewers leave.
What is a cold open on YouTube? · Hookquill
A cold open on YouTube starts your video mid-scene or mid-action before any introduction. It hooks viewers by dropping them straight into the story.
What is a faceless channel on YouTube? · Hookquill
A faceless channel is a YouTube channel where the creator never appears on camera. The script and voiceover carry everything the viewer needs to stay.
What is a hook on YouTube? · Hookquill
A hook is the opening seconds of a YouTube video. It confirms the click, opens a question the viewer needs answered, and promises a payoff.
What is a pattern interrupt on YouTube? · Hookquill
A pattern interrupt is a deliberate change in pace, energy, or visuals that resets viewer attention. Learn how to write them into your scripts.
What is a re-hook on YouTube? · Hookquill
A re-hook is one or two sentences placed at a section boundary that gives the viewer a new, specific reason to keep watching your video.
What is a script outline on YouTube? · Hookquill
A script outline is the list of sections in a YouTube video, with their purpose and share of runtime, written before drafting begins.
What is a teleprompter on YouTube? · Hookquill
A teleprompter on YouTube is a screen that scrolls your script in front of the camera lens so you can read while looking directly at viewers.
What is A-roll on YouTube? · Hookquill
A-roll is the main footage carrying your story, usually you talking to camera. It holds attention while B-roll fills gaps. Here is how to write it.
What is an open loop on YouTube? · Hookquill
An open loop on YouTube is a question raised early in a script and answered later on purpose to keep viewers watching until the end.
What is audience retention on YouTube? · Hookquill
Audience retention measures how much of your video viewers watch. It appears as a curve in YouTube Studio, showing where people leave.
What is average view duration on YouTube? · Hookquill
Average view duration is the average length of time viewers watch your video. Learn how script structure affects it and how to keep people watching.
What is B-roll on YouTube? · Hookquill
B-roll is supplementary footage shown over the main audio in a video. It keeps viewers watching by adding visual context to what you are saying.
What is click-through rate on YouTube? · Hookquill
Click-through rate on YouTube measures how often people who see your thumbnail actually click it. Here is how your script affects that number.
What is pacing on YouTube? · Hookquill
Pacing on YouTube is how fast information and tension move through a video. It is controlled by sentence length, section length, and re-hooks.
What is payoff on YouTube? · Hookquill
A payoff on YouTube is the moment a script delivers on a promise made earlier. It resolves an open loop and gives the viewer what they stayed for.
What is voiceover on YouTube? · Hookquill
Voiceover on YouTube is narration recorded separately from the video footage. Learn how to write and record it so viewers keep watching.