Journalism 260: Writing for Mass Media

Purpose

Writing is a difficult skill. This class is attempts to make it less difficult through refinement of techniques of research and writing. These include the lessons of grammar and style, as well as specific methods of journalistic writing. Following the completion of this course, students should be able to write an article that could be published in a local newspaper. To accomplish this, we teach the following tenets of journalistic composition: leads, AP style, research, effective interviewing, accuracy and fairness.

Student Learning Outcomes

By completing this course students will be able to:

to identify what is news
to be able to write news on deadline
to understand the basic structure of a news story
to be able to use proper grammar and spelling
to be able to report, interview and gather information
to write clearly, concisely and accurately
to fairly represent all people who live in our diverse society
to understand the basics of ethics, libel, fairness, and objectivity

Course Materials

1. Required Texts
a. Reaching Audiences: A Guide to Media Writing (3rd edition)
b. The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law or http://www.apstylebook.com ($20-a-year subscription)
c. When Words Collide (6th edition)
d. The Elements of Style, Strunk & White
e. The Orion Stylebook
f. Writing for the Mass Media Lab Manual — “Lab Manual”

Please bring your stylebooks to every lab session. You are also responsible for online readings contained in the syllabus or those I provide as handouts. You should complete all the reading assignments before the scheduled class.

2. Recommended Texts
Webster’s New World College Dictionary
The Elements of Style, 4th edition, William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White Online version of 3rd edition
Roget’s A-Z Thesaurus (or shift +F7 when using MS Word)

3. Newspaper Subscription
I expect you to read at least one daily newspaper each day, as well as The Orion and alternative publications such as Chico News & Review and Synthesis. Daily newspapers are available in the school’s library and on-line. Try to read different newspapers, such as The New York Times and Washington Post, as well as the Chico Enterprise-Record.

We will be examining the differences between print and online versions of newspapers, so do not limit your reading to either the print or online version. You will be tested periodically on current events in the news, and we will discuss current events in class. You also will be required periodically to bring in examples of good, or poor, writing.

4. Course Web Site
Please refer to the course Web site for the day-to-day schedule. It is updated frequently and often contains helpful, if not critical, information and resources that will help you in this class. You are responsible for checking the Web site before each class and completing assigned online readings.

You must have an active e-mail address that you check regularly.

5. Computer Supplies
It is best to save a copy of all your work, even if you finish and turn it in. This way, should the finished product be misplaced, you will have a copy.

In order to save your in-class writing assignments you will need to purchase a USB flash drive mini storage device, which plugs into a port on the computer. Cost is in the $20-$50 range. I recommend at least a 128MB drive. Ask me if you have questions about what this is or how to use it.

Requirements

Attendance: To pass this course, students must show up on time and prepared. There will be no make-up assignments for unexcused absences and repeated tardiness will be detrimental toward one's grade.

Assignments: There are required activities both within and outside of classtime in this course. Prior to coming to class, students are required to complete the assigned readings and material and be prepared to intelligently discuss the material once arriving at lab.

Much of this class is devoted to in-class writing assignments, which will be editing and graded for accuracy, clarity and AP style.

Quizzes: Students will be required to take quizzes that examine one's knowledge of AP style and proper grammar. Likewise, quizzes that address outside reading will be administered.

Computers and printers: Please be considerate with use of computers and printers. Do not browse the web for material unrelated to the course in lab. Please print materials before or at the end of lab to limit student distraction.

Typing: There is no formal speed requirement, but I recommended that students be able to type 20 words per minute. All assignments for this class MUST BE TYPED. Many of the lab assignments and each of the major exams will be timed and have strict deadlines. If you are unfamiliar with Macintosh computers or if your typing is poor, I strongly recommend that you visit the lab during open hours and practice. Typing skill tutorials are available at most bookstores.

Honesty and plagiarism

Journalism is about the discovery and reporting of facts. Therefore, our department is very strict about falsifying information in stories, articles or other coursework. Plagiarism of any kind will immediately result in an "F" grade in 260. Some examples of plagiarism:

1. Making up quotes or interviews.

2. Interviewing a person on email and claiming it was done personally.

3. Copying information from another source and representing the information as original. When information -- for example, statistics, ideas, theories -- are borrowed from another source, give credit.

4. Borrowing story notes or information from another student.

5. Submitting a story written by another individual.

For more information, visit this Georgetown University plagiarism guide.

Dropping the class

You may drop classes via the Portal without restriction until Sept. 1. After that date you must document (i.e. provide written evidence) a "serious and compelling reason" to drop and obtain the signature of the course instructor and the department chair on a Change of Program (COP) form. After the fourth week of classes, the signature of the college dean is also required. After the fifth week, you will be required to pay the Records Office a $10 fee to process a COP form. For details, see the University Catalog .

Disabilities

If you have a disability and require special accomodations, please see me after class to discuss possible arrangements.

WRITING FOR MASS MEDIA