JCO 2103 NEWS REPORTING
ANDWRITING
I
(PRINCIPLES,
PRINT & PHOTOJOURNALISM)
COURSE NAME:
COURSE CODE:
CREDIT UNITS:
CONTACT HOURS:
TYPE OF COURSE:
NEWS REPORTING AND WRITING I
(PRINCIPLES, PRINT & PHOTOJOURNALISM)
JCO 2103
3
45
CORE
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to journalism research, writing, and basic editing.
Whereas the focus is on print journalism, the principles and practices are
applicable to broadcast and online journalism. The course therefore prepares
students for the follow-up course in this sequence (News Reporting and Writing
II) which focuses on broadcast and online journalism. It explores the meaning of
news, news judgment, news values, and the fundamental concepts related to
news reporting and writing. Topics include news judgment and developing story
ideas, news gathering including interviewing, observation and other research
techniques and methods of ensuring accuracy, and writing basic news and
feature stories (story structure, narration techniques, and the use of quotations),
and editing. Students will learn how to cover meetings, speeches and other
events, how to arrange and conduct a variety of in-person, telephone, and email
interviews, and how to research issue and policy stories. They will learn to work
under the pressure of deadlines and be introduced to the ethics of reporting and
writing. The course also includes instruction in computer functions and
applications of importance to journalism research, reporting, and writing. The
course is highly practical and involves regular in-class exercises and fieldwork on
reporting assignments.
Course Objectives:
5. To introduce students to the conceptual principles of news reporting and
writing.
6. To introduce students to the practice and basics of news reporting and
writing.
7. To develop in students a clear and concise writing style as well as a
passion for thorough reporting.
8. To enhance the capacity of the students to report and write news
accurately and succinctly.
9. To enable students enhance the impact of their news stories through
photography.
10. To build professionalism and self-confidence in journalistic skills.
Course Outline:
Module 1: Foundations of news
1. The role of the news media in a democracy
2. The importance of trained, committed journalists to serve as the bridge
between government and citizens
3. What news is and its importance to society
4. Organization and structure of the modern newsroom
5. News values
Module 2: News reporting, writing, and editing for publication
1. The principles of news reporting and writing
2. Reporting and writing strategies
3. Writing strategies and storytelling techniques
4. Anatomy of a feature story
5. Contrasting news and feature formats and styles
6. Editing for different news and feature formats and styles
7. Digging for information and initiating newsgathering
8. Building and using background information and finding sources
9. Covering the community on a day-to-day basis
10. Legal and ethical considerations
11. Taste – defining what is appropriate
12. The morality of journalism
13. In-depth and investigative reporting
14. Computer-assisted reporting and research
Module 3: Photojournalism
1. Principles and practices of photojournalism
2. Techniques of news photography
3. Photographing features, portraits, and sports
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, the students should be able:
1. To experience the real world of journalism where they will report and write
on deadline and under organizational, editorial, and societal pressures.
2. To go beyond the basic news values and merely chronicling events as
they happen to providing context and giving perspective.
3. To demonstrate an understanding of today’s news industry and
processes.
4. To remain objective while interpreting issues and events and locating
them in wider perspectives.
5. To combine text and photos to produce stories for publication.
6. To act as their own editors.
Methods of Teaching/Delivery:
• Interactive lecture
• Brainstorming
• Group work
• Library research
• Fieldwork
Methods of Assessment:
•
Progressive assessment 100%
Readings/Reference Materials/Learning Resources:
• Fox, W. (2001). Writing the News: A Guide for Print Journalists, 3rd ed.
• Dedman, B. Power Reporting, http://www.powerreporting.com. Resources and
training in computer-assisted reporting and editing.
• Friendlander, E.J. & Lee, J. (2000). Feature Writing for Newspapers and
Magazines, 4th ed.
• Mencher, M. (2006). News Reporting and Writing, 10th ed.
• Quinn, S. (2005). Convergent Journalism: The Fundamentals of
Multimedia Reporting. New York: Peter Lang Publishing.
• Rich, C. (2007). Writing and Reporting News, 5th ed.