JOUR 1100 - Writing News for Publication

Credit Hours: 3.00

Objectives:

1. Conduct comprehensive research (including online research) necessary for writing news stories that focus on community, campus news, and local events.
2. Interview individuals providing information for news stories.
3. Take reporter’s notes.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to produce news stories suitable for publication.

Objectives:

1. Using a computer, produce news stories (for a total of approximately 4,000-plus words during the semester).
2. Use correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and sentence structure.
3. Correctly and accurately quote sources, including authoritative sources.
4. Write news stories that are accurate and unbiased.
5. Create summary leads which could include anecdotal leads, scenic leads, and leads with flair.
6. Practice writing attention-getting leads to draw in readers.
7. Organize stories in an inverted pyramid format, as well as adhere to other techniques recognized by professional journalist.
8. Format stories in a manner that is conducive to The Associated Press Stylebook.
9. Develop a story that is timely, factual, and reader-friendly for an audience.
10. Using a computer, write and submit an assigned article in a format designed to contribute to contemporary layout and design practices.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to edit and ‘coach’ other writers through copy editing.

Objectives:

1. Recognize the editor’s significant role in maintaining a quality publication.
2. Given written news stories of other students, edit and provide feedback for improvement.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. Introduction to Journalism
2. Writing Exercise/Warm-up
3. The Role of Journalism
4. Serving Your Country/Letters from Home
5. Storytelling/Inverted Pyramid
6. Lab Work/”What’s your Story?”
7. Interviewing
8. Student Interview #1
9. Student Interview Presentations
10. Student Interview #2
11. Discuss “Prominent Person” Story
12. How to Write an Attention-Grabbing Lead
13. Group Work
14. Student Profile Due
15. Research/Finding Sources
16. Library Tour
17. Copy Editing
18. Prominent Person Story Due
19. Lab work/Finding Web Sources
20. Covering Meetings
21. Briefing for Guest Speaker
22. Guest Speaker Interview
23. Copy Editing
24. Guest Speaker Story Due
25. Beat Reporting
26. Editorial Writing
27. Fact vs. Opinion
28. Student Meetings
29. Movie Screening
30. Town Meeting Story
31. Writing for Other Media
32. Copy Editing
33. Briefing for Teleconference
34. Movie Review Due
35. Teleconference Interview
36. Copy Editing
37. Teleconference Story Due
38. Copy Editing
39. Beat Story Due
40. Guest Speaker
41. Design and Layout (for Print and Web)