JOU4204 - Writing for Magazines

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Identify appropriate sources and relevant angles for timely features for both print magazines and online platforms.
Demonstrate the ability to interview, identify relevant information and select quotes for magazine features.
Produce the appropriate writing style, content and structure for basic magazine articles.
Demonstrate a proficiency in accurate and comprehensive note-taking.
Contribute positively and effectively to teamwork and prepare for employability in the magazine industry.

Content:

This module provides the basic building blocks of magazine writing. Students will learn how magazine articles are sourced, how to assess and evaluate different types of sources and how to use information to write articles for print and online. They will learn basic journalistic interviewing techniques. A key component of the module will be around the use of social media to source, research and promote work and its place in developing and complimenting reporting.
As part of this module, students will embark on intensive training in fast note taking using the journalism industry standard shorthand – Teeline – and be required to work towards a speed of 80-100 wpm.
Production days, where students work to produce articles to tight deadlines, will be included in this module. The final section of this module is a production project when students will use the skills developed over the course of the year to take part in a number of simulated media exercises and generate stories for a personal portfolio of work.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module is taught via a series of interactive workshops which use innovative and creative teaching methods in order to foster student engagement and develop practical skills. The focus is on student-centred practice, using a broad range of simulated and live news exercises which allow the cohort to use their practical skills in safe environment where they benefit from tutor feedback and mentoring on an on-going basis.

Writing workshops
Contact hours: 100
Intended Group size: 25

Shorthand
Hours: 112
Intended group size: 35

Guided independent study
Hours: 188

Further Details Relating to Assessment
Portfolio 1 will typically cover 6 key competencies and will be compiled during semesters 1 and 2.
Portfolio 2 would normally include some group working as news/feature production teams, and some individual work, including evidence of generating and writing stories for print, broadcast, online and social media, plus an employability task, such as applying for and being interviewed for a mock job relevant to the student’s area of interest within magazine journalism.
Students are required to submit for all forms of assessment to pass this module.
The teaching of Teeline Shorthand is informed by professional expectations in industry that all trainee journalists learn shorthand. Students must show serious engagement with this element of the module. This will be measured by attendance at sessions, the requirement to submit four transcribed practice passages via Moodle during the course of Semester 1 and the need to make a serious attempt at examination at a speed of at least 60wpm. Students do not make a serious attempt at assessment will not pass the module and, therefore, will not progress to the next level.
Students will be assessed via NCTJ shorthand examinations.
Shorthand is one of the core examinations in the NCTJ Diploma and students MUST obtain shorthand at a speed of at least 80wpm in order to be eligible for the NCTJ Diploma.

Other relevant matters
The highest attained level of Shorthand is to be recorded on the student’s transcript and each stage is progressional from the last.

Assessment:

001 Portolio 1 1500 word equiv (Pass/Fail) during/end of sem 2 0%
002 Shorthand - attended but no wpm attained (pass/Fail (during sem 2 0%
003 Shorthand Speed Test - 50wpm attained (Pass/Fail) during/end of sem 2 0%
004 Shorthand Speed Test - 60wpm attained (Pass/Fail) during/end semester 2 0%
005 Shorthand Speed Test - 60wpm attained (Pass/Fail) during/end semester 2 0%
006 Shorthand Speed Test - 70wpm attained (Pass/Fail) during/end semester 2 0%
007 Shorthand Speed Test - 80wpm attained (Pass/Fail) during/end semester 2 0%
008 Shorthand Speed Test - 90wpm attained (Pass/Fail) during/end semester 2 0%
009 Shorthand Speed Test - 100wpm attained (Pass/Fail) during/end semester 2 0%
010 Reflective Report 1 x 500 words (during/end of semester 2) 10%
011 Portfolio 2 equivalent to 3.500 words (during/end of sem 2) 90%


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