JOU4922 - Practical Journalism 1: News Writing

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Identify and locate news sources and possible news angles and stories
2. Demonstrate an ability to interview and identify relevant information and quotes for news stories
3. Write basic news stories in an appropriate style
4. Work effectively in a team

Content:

This module provides the basic building blocks of news writing. Students will learn how news stories are sourced, how to assess and evaluate different types of sources and how to use information from those sources to develop and structure news stories. Students will study the difference between hard and soft news and the writing styles relevant to both. They will take part in practical exercises to help them develop their own writing skills in these two key areas. Students will understand how to work with submitted material, including reports and press releases as well as how to find and generate their own news stories. They will learn and put into practice basic journalistic interviewing techniques.

The final section of this module will include a six-week news production project which will take place in the Level 1 professional placement period. During this project, students will use the skills developed over the course of the year to take part in a number of simulated newsroom exercises and generate stories for a personal news portfolio.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures and seminars in the first semester and workshops in semester 2 and will include formative and summative assessments.

6 week news production project at end of year

Lectures
Contact hours 10
Number of groups 1

Seminars
Contact hours 10

Workshops
Contact hours 20

Supervision
Contact hours 12
Individual/group

Assessment:

001 Portfolio 1 1x1000 words equiv. (End of Sem 1) 25%
002 Portfolio 2 1x1000 words equiv. (Mid or End Sem 2) 25%
003 Portfolio 3 1x3000 words equiv. (End Sem 2) 50%


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