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Module Specifications

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

Module Title News Editing
Module Code CM141
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 editing news. The rationale for and theory of news editing will be examined and applied in various journalistic contexts. Attention will focus on a number of common duties carried out by sub-editors. Students will participate in the following learning activities:Lectures in which learners will be introduced to a range of core editing concepts and duties;Presentations/seminars in which groups of learners will outline their approach to the editing of an assigned news story and, subsequently, file a report on same;Workshops in which learners will carry out various editing tasks to deadline in a simulated subsdesk environment.

Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the organisational structure and practices of a subs desk.
2. Distinguish readability and legibility.
3. Demonstrate an ability to edit and/or rewrite journalistic copy fairly and quickly.
4. Write headlines, straplines, subheads, crossheads, standfirsts, pullquotes and captions for a diverse range of media.
5. Show a thorough knowledge of the technical aspects of typography, its architecture and furniture.
6. Process a wide range of articles which are complete, interesting and, where possible, fair to all parties mentioned therein.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture10A structured incremental approach is taken to the subject matter.
Assignment20A variety of editing exercises are completed in order to build learner confidence and develop essential skills.
Lecturer supervised learning20Students are assisted in writing headlines for over 100 stories of various types.
Examination2A computerised in-class-test of news editing theory and skills.
Independent learning time198This consists of the time spent reading essential books and preparing assessment material.
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. Editing desk structure; sub-editing functions ; news v features; use of graphics; visualization; readability v legibility; Gunning’s fog index; copy checking; libel; privilege; sub judice. •Copy editing for print, online and broadcast; writing v editing as a career; duties of down-table sub-editor; formats; style; accuracy; clarification. Writing headlines; direct v oblique approaches; fitting headlines; turn heads and lines. •Headline guidelines; court cases, crime and accident stories; sport and business stories. •Headlines: running stories; special/free-style; features; headline count and shape. •Headline size; pattern and typography; choosing and mixing display faces; headline accessories. Subheads: when to use; how to space; where to position. •Subheads: style; frequency. Text breakers and visual signals: initial caps; story starts; paragraph variation; borders; minor illustrations; type ornaments. •Captions: their role and how to write them. •In-class-test..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Group presentationThe group will describe how it edited an assigned piece of work, present the finished article and furnish a report on the process.20%Every Week
Computerised test/examStudents' knowledge of the theory which informs the editing process and their ability to edit will be tested.80%Sem 2 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
  • Adobe: 2009, Adobe InDesign CS4 Classroom in a Book, Peachpit, Pearson Education, Berkeley, CA,
  • Ellis, Barbara G.: 2001, The Copy-editing and Headline Handbook, Perseus Publishing, Cambridge, MA,
  • Hicks, Wynford & Holmes, Tim: 2002, Subediting for Journalists, Routledge, London,
  • Hodgson, Frank: 2001, New Subediting, Focal Press, Oxford,
  • McGuinness, Donal & Murphy, Yvonne: 2010, Journalists and the Law, Round Hall, Dublin,
Other Resources
None
Array
Programme or List of Programmes
JRBA in Journalism
Timetable this semester: Timetable for CM141
Date of Last Revision19-SEP-05
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