A recap structure viewers can follow
The News recap writer mode writes in a neutral tone and follows four beats:
- What happened, in one sentence.
- Why it matters to the viewer.
- The key numbers.
- What happens next.
It is instructed to use only the facts in your brief or widely documented ones, and to say so when a story may still be developing. Paste the source text, not just a headline, when accuracy matters, and read the script before you publish.
Visuals that explain the story
News is mostly where, how many and when. Those are exactly the things ContentRoof animates from the narration:
| The story mentions | The video shows |
|---|---|
| Countries or cities | A globe that flies there, lights up countries and drops pins |
| Movement between places | A route drawn between them |
| A big number | A counter that counts up |
| A rise or a fall | A rising or falling chart |
| A sequence of dates | A timeline |
| Two sides | A two-sided layout |
| Everything else | Line drawings matched to the meaning of each sentence |
There's no stock footage of unrelated crowds or flags, and no AI-generated images that could be mistaken for real photos of the event. For news, that matters: a drawing is clearly an illustration.
An example script
# hook
A storm is heading for the coast, and two countries are preparing.
# headline: Where it's going
Forecasters expect the storm to move from the Bay of Bengal to the coast of Bangladesh and eastern India.
# headline: What happens next
Officials will update the warning tomorrow morning. This story is still developing.
The second scene names a sea and two countries, and "from … to" describes a movement, so it becomes a map with a route instead of a drawing.
Who makes news recaps
- Local news pages on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
- Newsletter writers turning the week's top story into a Short.
- Explainer channels covering what's happening and why.
- Teachers discussing current events in class.
Good practice for news videos
- Paste the source. The recap is only as accurate as what you give it.
- Attribute. Say who said it: "according to the weather service".
- Keep it neutral. Let the facts carry the story.
- Date your recap. News ages quickly; a date in the title or description helps.
- Correct quickly. If something changes, edit the script and export again. An export takes about 1 to 3 minutes for a 1-minute video.
News recaps work in 10 languages, including Urdu, Hindi and Arabic, so you can cover a story in the language your audience reads.
How it works
- Paste the storyChoose the News recap mode and paste the article, your notes or the headline with the key facts.
- Check facts and toneRead the script, fix anything that isn't in your source and add attribution where needed.
- Preview the visualsPlaces become a map, numbers count up and changes become charts. Swap any scene's drawing if you want.
- Download and publishSign in with Google for free and download vertical, 16:9 or square. The post kit writes titles, captions and hashtags.
Questions
Will the AI make up facts?
It is instructed to use only the facts in your brief or widely documented ones, and to note when a story is still developing. Always check the script against your source.
Does it use real news footage?
No. The visuals are maps, charts, counters, timelines and line drawings. Nothing can be mistaken for real footage of the event.
How quickly can I publish?
Once the script is right, an export takes about 1 to 3 minutes for a 1-minute video.
Can I make news recaps in Urdu or Arabic?
Yes. News recaps work in 10 languages, with right-to-left captions for Urdu and Arabic.
Can I add my news page's logo?
Yes. The brand kit adds your logo, brand colours, handle and a call to action.
Updated 2026-10-28