Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title News Writing
Module Code CM114
School School of Communications
Online Module Resources

Module TeacherPaul McNamara
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the concepts and skills involved in basic news writing. Students will develop knowledge, know-how and competence in generating common news stories. The approach taken addresses the needs of students as: 1] consumers and producers of news who are informed by basic news theory; 2] novice news workers expected to be familiar with elementary investigative methods.Students will participate in the learning activities listed below:Lectures in which learners will be introduced to news theory and practice;Presentations/seminars in which learners will debate in a simulated current affairs-style radio programme the merits or otherwise of books on the reading list;Workshops in which learners will write basic news stories to deadline in a simulated newsroom environment.

Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the need for different media styles.
2. Identify characteristics of news from journalistic and sociological perspectives.
3. Outline a coherent approach to news story construction.
4. Categorize main story-telling approaches, such as spot/action and statement/opinion narratives.
5. Demonstrate basic competencies in writing technique.
6. Treat sources in a fair and balanced way.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture10A structured incremental approach is taken to subject matter.
Seminars10Critical discussion of key topics based on essential reading of books, e-books and interactive e-books.
Lecturer supervised learning20Students receive substantial assistance in writing five basic news stories to deadline in workshops.
Examination2A computerised in-class-test of basic news writing for news media and the theory which informs it.
Independent learning time208The reading of essential books, e-books and interactive e-books, preparatory study for in-class-tests, seminars, workshops and the production of out-of-class assessments.
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Introduction.
Module descriptor; reading list; assessment regime. Space and time constraints; deadlines; news v features; media consumption; news production; style..

Defining News.
Defining news; journalists v sociologists; muck-raking v gatekeeping; determinants; social responsibility..

Language.
Language; print v broadcast; tabloid v broadsheet; common error patterns; vocabulary; abstraction obstructs.• Redundant phrases; needless repetition; variation; agreement; syntax; clarity. • Sentence structure; incorporating the spoken word; third person summary; direct quotes; fair play..

Basics of Reporting.
Basics of reporting; accuracy; attribution and positioning; identification; spot v statement/opinion stories..

Balance and Fairness.
Balance and fairness; objectivity; opinions in news; verification; common problems; hoax.

Approaching a Story.
Approaching a story; pre-writing phase; understanding before writing; planning phase; uses and limits of the inverted pyramid; story-telling and delayed intro approaches..

Intros.
Intros; five Ws and H; telegram and key word techniques; problem intros..

Building the Body.
Building the body; action v statement/opinion story structures; positioning denials; quotes in context; transitions; lists; background – essential, non-essential and for interest..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Group presentationA simulated live radio debate of the merits, or otherwise, of one or more of the titles on the reading list.20%Every Week
Computerised test/examThis computerised in-class-test will examine students' knowledge of the theory which informs basic news writing.80%Sem 1 End
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List
  • Adams, Sally, Gilbert, Harriett, Hicks, Wynford: 2008, Writing for Journalists, Routledge, London,
  • Bellos, Alex: 2010, Alex's Adventures in Numberland, Bloomsbury, London,
  • Bull, Andy: 2007, Essential Guide to Careers in Journalism, Sage, London,
  • Fleming, Carole, Hemmingway, Emma, Moore, Gillian, Welford, Dave: 2005, Introduction to Journalism, Sage, London,
  • Harcup, Tony: 2009, Journalism Principles and Practice, Sage, London,
  • Hargreaves, Ian: 2005, Journalism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Hicks, Wynford: 2003, English for Journalists, Routledge, London,
  • King, Graham: 2009, Collins Improve Your Writing Skills, Collins, London,
  • Leverton, Marc: 2010, How to Work as a Freelance Journalist, How To Books, Oxford,
  • Mencher, Melvin: 2010, News Reporting and Writing, McGraw-Hill, New York,
  • Schudson, Michael: 2011, Sociology of News, W.W. Norton, New York,
  • Schwartz, Jerry: 2002, Associated Press Reporting Handbook, McGraw-Hill, New York,
  • Sheridan Burns, Lynette: 2003, Understanding Journalism, Sage, London,
  • Smith, Jon: 2007, Essential Reporting, Sage, London,
  • Synge, Dan: 2010, The Survival Guide to Journalism, McGraw-Hill, New York,
  • Truss, Lynne: 2003, Eats, Shoots & Leaves, Profile Books, London,
  • Watson, Don: 2003, Gobbledygook, Atlantic Books, London,
  • Willis, Jim: 2010, The Mind of a Journalist, Sage, London,
Other Resources
None
Array
Programme or List of Programmes
JRBA in Journalism
Timetable this semester: Timetable for CM114
Date of Last Revision01-SEP-04
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