JOU4924 - Practical Journalism 1: News Writing

Objectives:

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

1 Identify and local news sources and possible news angles and stories for both print and online
2 Demonstrate an ability to interview and identify relevant information and quotes for news stories
3 Write basic news stories in an appropriate style for both print and online
4 Work effectively in a team
5 Demonstrate a proficiency in accurate and comprehensive note-taking
6 Assess their level of preparedness for employability and the working world

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, including human, paper and online, and how to use information from those sources to develop and structure news stories for print and online. 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 and for online and traditional platforms. 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 and how to use social media to develop and complement 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 80-100wpm.

News days, where students work to produce news stories to tight deadlines, will be included in this module.

The final section of this module is a 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:

News Workshops
Contact hours 60
Intended group size: 25

Shorthand
Contact hours 112
Inteded Group size: 35

Workshops/Supervision
Contact hours 20

Additional assessment information

Portfolio 1 would normally include 3 news stories
Portfolio 2 would normally include 3 news stories plus associated side-bars
Portfolio 3 would normally include group working as news production teams including evidence of generating, writing and subbing news stories for print and online, plus production of a CV in readiness for work placement and a reflective report

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 80wpm.

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.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio 1 1 x 1000 word equivalent (during/end of sem 2) 25%
002 Portfolio 2 1 x 1000 word equivalent (during/end of sem 2) 25%
003 Shorthand Speed test Pass/Fail (during/end of sem 2) 0%
004 Portflio 3 1 x 4000 word equivalent (end of sem 2) 50%


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