The video script analyzer scores your script for hook strength, pacing, retention markers, CTA quality, word economy, and structural clarity — the factors that separate scripts with 50% audience retention from those that lose viewers in the first 30 seconds.
Script Score
Score Breakdown
Score Radar
Script Timeline
Engagement markers detected throughout your script
Improvement Tips
How We Score Video Scripts
A video script is a blueprint for attention. Research by YouTube and independent creators consistently shows that average viewer retention drops fastest in the first 30 seconds and again around the 2-minute mark. Scripting strategically around these drop-off points is the difference between 40% and 65% audience retention on the same topic.
The 6 Scoring Dimensions
- Hook Strength (25% weight) — The first 30 words / ~12 seconds. Does the opening contain a question, bold claim, specific promise, or pattern interrupt? Weak hooks start with "Hey guys, welcome back to..." Strong hooks start mid-thought or with a provocative question.
- Pacing (20% weight) — Sentence length variety, scene transition markers ([CUT TO], [B-ROLL], [MUSIC]), and paragraph breaks. Monotone sentence length kills engagement. Good scripts alternate short punchy sentences with longer explanatory ones.
- Retention Markers (20% weight) — Engagement re-hooks throughout the script. Phrases like "here's what you don't know", "stay with me", "but wait", "here's the key part" signal that important content is coming and reset viewer attention.
- CTA Quality (15% weight) — Explicit call-to-action for subscribe, like, comment, or follow. Placement matters — mid-video CTAs often outperform end-card CTAs because fewer viewers reach the end.
- Word Economy (10% weight) — Filler words dilute message clarity. "Um", "like", "basically", "you know", "kind of", "sort of" weaken scripts. This dimension scores filler word density.
- Structure (10% weight) — Does the script have a recognizable intro/body/conclusion structure? Clear transitions between topics? Scene direction markers for production clarity?
Step 1: Write Your Hook Last
The biggest scripting mistake is writing the hook first. Write the body of your video first — figure out what you're teaching or explaining — then write a hook that promises the most interesting part. "In the next 8 minutes, I'm going to show you the same 3-step system I used to go from 0 to 10,000 subscribers" is a better hook than anything written cold before you know what's in the video.
Step 2: Add Pattern Interrupts Every 45-60 Seconds
Pattern interrupts are moments that reset viewer attention: a new camera angle, a sound effect, a text overlay, a change in your vocal energy, or a new story. In your script, mark these as [CUT TO], [B-ROLL], [GRAPHIC], or [DEMO]. The tool looks for these markers and scores pacing accordingly. A 5-minute video with zero scene breaks will have predictably lower retention than one with 8-10 direction changes.
FAQ
Is this video script analyzer free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. Paste your script and get instant analysis. All processing runs locally in your browser — your script content is never sent to any server or stored.
How many words per minute should I plan for?
The standard speaking rate for video scripts is 130-150 words per minute for clear, engaging speech. Faster (160-180 WPM) works for energetic TikTok or Reels content. Slower (100-120 WPM) is better for educational or technical content. This tool uses 150 WPM as the default estimate, which you can see reflected in the duration calculation.
What makes a strong video hook?
The first 5-15 seconds determine whether viewers keep watching. A strong hook contains at least one of: a bold claim or controversial statement, a direct question to the viewer, a pattern interrupt (something unexpected), a promise of specific value, or immediate visual or verbal action. Hooks that start with 'I' or 'Today I will show you' are among the weakest — viewers don't know you yet.
How often should I add retention markers?
YouTube and TikTok data shows viewers drop off most at the 20-30 second mark and again at the 2-minute mark. Add a pattern interrupt or re-engagement hook every 30-60 seconds for short videos, and every 60-90 seconds for long-form content. Phrases like 'here's the key part', 'what most people miss', or 'stay with me' reset attention.
What are filler words and why do they hurt scripts?
Filler words — 'um', 'uh', 'like', 'you know', 'basically', 'actually', 'sort of', 'kind of' — appear in spoken speech but slow down scripted video content. A tight video script with filler words removed feels more confident and professional, and reduces editing work. This tool counts filler word density and penalizes scripts with high filler rates.
Does this work for TikTok and Instagram Reels scripts?
Yes. Select 'Short/Reel < 60s' as the video length. The scoring adjusts for short-form content: hook strength gets higher weight (first 2 seconds are critical), word economy is more important, and the tool flags if your script is too long for the format. Short-form scripts should ideally be 100-180 words for a 60-second video.