Writing is a key communication tool of journalism. This module introduces students to the language, practical conventions, contexts and functions of written journalism in the multimedia environment. Through studying and critically analysing the structure, style and content of articles published on websites, in newspapers and magazines students will begin to develop an understanding of how copy is gathered, put together and directed at specific readerships.
Through lectures and through practice in workshops students will learn to identify a story from raw, diffuse or incomplete information by the application of news values, to write it in appropriate style, to add headlines and online "furniture" and to upload it to a content management system.
Writing clear, accurate and engaging text relies on understanding and applying the rules of grammar, using the right words and constructing coherent prose. This module also helps students to boost their grammar and punctuation skills, choose and use appropriate words and craft effective sentences and paragraphs. Students will discover the underlying rules and principles, consider the impact of their writing decisions and develop their own writing and editing skills.
Also, by examining and practising skills needed to develop and write pieces such as: originating ideas, researching, assessing the reliability of sources, interviewing, organising material and adhering to house style, students will aim to produce journalistic news pieces and feature articles that are suitable for publication.
This module will be delivered through weekly lectures and related lab-based workshops. The workshops will be practical supported by short talks and learning materials. These will also involve group work, presentations, discussions and written exercises. Students will be supported to produce pieces of journalism and will be expected to undertake journalistic activities in their independent study time. Students' grammar and effective writing will be enhanced by completion of an online course on grammar, punctuation, word use and syntax.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | 2 x 1hr lecture 2 x 2hr workshops | 44 88 |
Guided independent study | Finding, developing, researching and writing news and features journalism. Online grammar and writing course. | 168 |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
The assessment for this module is designed to test students' knowledge of the key conventions of written journalism, their ability to apply core journalistic skills and to identify stories and write, produce and present them to meet the demands of modern journalism. Students will be assessed formatively in class during presentations and written exercises and summatively by the production of a portfolio of news and feature articles and a group publication.
Element of Assessment
Portfolio of news stories, features, timed tests and quizzes (1500 words equivalent) 70%
Group production of a publication (1000 words equivalent) 30%
Students must pass the online grammar and effective writing course to complete the module.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
1) Demonstrate an understanding of how contemporary journalism is produced and received including the demands and disciplines of news journalism | Formative assessment of news writing and other written class exercises; summative assessment in the portfolio of written journalism and group publication |
2) Write, sub-edit and upload news reports in a basic news agency style, complete with headlines, keywords and hyperlinks and make editorial judgements under pressure of time | Formative assessment of news writing in workshops; summative assessment in written portfolio and timed class test |
3) Produce accurately written and clearly expressed pieces of journalism for a specified readership | Formative assessment in class presentation and written exercises; summative assessment in written portfolio |
4) Originate and develop feature ideas and research pieces from a standing start selecting and using an appropriate range of primary and secondary sources | Formative assessment in class presentation and written exercises; summative assessment in written portfolio |
5) Identify stories in raw, diffuse or incomplete information, or information presented in specialist or unfamiliar formats | Formative assessment of news writing in workshops; summative assessment in written portfolio and timed class test |
6) Generate effective writing, with an acknowledgement of common writing errors and the principles of correct grammar and punctuation. | Formative assessment on completion of online grammar and effective writing course; summative assessment in written portfolio and group publication |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Coursework | Portfolio | 70 |
Coursework | Group publication | 30 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Hicks, W. et al. 2008 Writing for Journalists London:Routledge