JOU5982 - Practical Journalism 2: Sports Writing

Objectives:

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

1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of sports writing/reporting and the relationship between theory and practice
2 Critically evaluate the informing and commentating function of sports writing/reporting
3 Apply written and online practical journalism skills within a sporting context
4 Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the art of layout, design and sub-editing

Content:

Students will examine key areas of Sports Writing, including previews, match reports, reviews, profiles and columns through formative and summative practical exercises in class in both semesters. The practical work wil be set within the context of sports reporting issues, including sources in the sports industry and the role of the internet in terms of both research and publication.
Students will be introduced to the practicalities of layout using industry standard software and the latter part of Semester 2 will include a six week block where the entire Level 2 cohort (Specialist Reporting and Sports Writing) will combine to lay out some of their written work (as individuals) on QuarkXpress.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Interactive workshops

Workshops: Semester 1
Contact hours: 20
Intended Group size: 25

Workshops: Semester 2
Contact hours: 20
Intended Group size: 25

Guided independent learning
Hours: 160

Additional assessment information
Portfolio 1 would normally include 3x500 words original sports stories covering a single sports event (a preview, match report and a post-match blog posting – on Moodle - covering the same event) plus a 1x500 words reflective report

Portfolio 2 would normally include 1x750 words original specialist article, 3x250 words sidebars to support the main piece, all presented in the form of a newspaper/magazine layout done in QuarkXpress over a maximum of 2xA4 pages plus a 1x500 word reflective report. The 2xA4 pages should resemble a newspaper/magazine and should be complete with original headlines, copyright-free images, captions and sub-edited text.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio i 1 x 2000 words equivalent (during and end of sem 1) 50%
002 Portfolio ii 1 x 2000 words equivalent (end of sem 2) 50%


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