JOU5962 - Practical Journalistic Styles

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of a range of journalistic writing styles
Identify genres for a range of purposes and audiences, including print and online
Write in a range of styles

Content:

This module examines the range of different journalistic writing styles, such as opinion writing, column writing, reviews, backgrounders and colour pieces and considers how these are used in print and online.
Students will analyse how different styles, and sometimes multiple styles, are employed for different circumstances and, through practical exercises, understand how to develop and apply those styles. They will also look in detail at how language is employed by the news media to convey messages, set the tone of coverage and the broader agenda on key stories.
This practical module is taught via workshops and is designed to enhance the skills of students who are interested in following a pathway which focuses on developing writing skills, for both print and online.

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.

Workshops – Semester 1
Contact hours: 20
Intended group size: 30
Workshops – Semester 2
Contact hours: 20
Intended group size: 30
Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Additional Assessment Information
Portfolio 1 will normally include 1 x 600-word opinion column, 1 x 200-word class exercise and 2 x 400-word reviews suitable for print or online publication plus 400-word reflective report which considers the relative strengths and weaknesses of the work and the target audience/means of publication.

Portfolio 2 will normally include a package of material, including 1 x 800-word news backgrounder, 3 x 300 word interview pieces suitable for print or online publication, 1 x 200-word class exercise suitable for print or online publication, plus 500-word reflective report.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio (1) 1 x 2000 word equiv. (end of sem 1) 50%
002 Portfolio (2) 1 x 2000 word equiv. (end of sem 2) 50%


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