Class:
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Instructor:

 

 


Course Description:

This course's subject matter will emphasize journalistic style, with a strict adherence to deadlines.  Besides the traditional 5-W leads, inverted pyramid structure and headline writing, students will practice other written forms utilized in newspapers, such as editorials, photography, features, and columns.  The use of electronic desktop publishing as a means of producing for the journalistic media will be explored.  The students will be introduced to the Associated Press style book and learn the fundamentals of copyediting.  They will learn the importance of a free press in a democracy, and a primary focus of this course is to develop entry-level skills for students in today's modern newsroom.
Course Goals:

§         To help the student become an intelligent consumer of the mass media.

§         To give the student the opportunity to discover and explore the various jobs involved in journalism and producing a newspaper.

§         To help the student understand and accept the legal and ethical responsibilities inherent in a free press.

§         To develop in the student a responsibility for punctuality in meeting deadlines. 

§         To learn effective interviewing, researching and reporting techniques.

§         To learn news style in writing effective headlines, captions, news, feature, and sports stories, as well as editorials, opinion columns, and reviews. 

§         To introduce students to the Associated Press style book and learn the fundamentals of copyediting.

§         To explore successful group dynamics and leadership.

§         To learn layout, photography and design concepts and how they relate to communicating information.

§         To become familiar with the software and technology used in newsrooms to relay their information. 

Scope and Sequence

 The story/history of journalism

Here we will discuss and learn about the First Amendment, the responsibilities of a free press, the history of the mass media in America and its implications and responsibility to society. 

 

News writing?the basics

Here we will discuss the difference between fact and opinion.  What makes a news story?  We will also learn about news writing basics such as the inverted pyramid, leads, and the 6 news questions.  We will also begin discussing the importance of accuracy and balance.  We will discuss the importance of deadlines and the hierarchy of a newsroom. 

 

Reporting and Interviewing

We will explore the different ways of gathering information through such means as research, interviewing, and note-taking, and then distinguishing and reporting what is newsworthy. 

 

Law and Ethics

Here we learn about libel law, invasion of privacy laws, and about copyright and plagiarism.  We will discuss multiple ethical dilemmas and the importance of an editorial policy. 

 

Opinion and editorial

Here we will discuss the importance of the editorial and opinion in a public forum, and ethical considerations in the writing. 

 

Feature writing, sports and entertainment

We will take news writing a step further and discuss how the news can be featured.

 

Copyediting and headlines

Here you will be introduced to the AP Style Book as well as the concept of individual newspapers? own style guides.  We will learn to write headlines, cutlines, captions, and how to edit copy. 

 

Photography and Design

We will discuss what makes a news photo and how to communicate through design.  We will discuss several design basics and apply them as we design a news page and critique each other?s work. 

 

 
Course Prerequisites:

Because this is a writing class, students are expected to have a solid background in English, including grammar, vocabulary and spelling, and a desire to write well. 

Keyboarding skills are recommended.
Required Texts/Materials:
Students will need a desktop design program such as Microsoft Office Publisher or Adobe InDesign.