University of Regina
School of Journalism
JRN 413-001
Magazine Writing and Literary Journalism
January - April 2015
Time and Place: Thursdays 6:00 – 8:45 p.m. Studio.
Instructor: Trish Elliott Office: Room 105.18
Phone 585-4449 E-mail patricia.elliott@uregina.ca
Office hours : When door is open
Course Description
This course will immerse you in the world of magazines and magazine-style writing, also known as
literary journalism. A literary and personal form of journalism, this kind of writing expands on the
inquiry and description of the here and now that you have learned in other journalism courses. The focus
of the course will be at least two drafts of an approx. 1,700 to 2,000-word magazine article. You will
also learn how to write a proposal to an editor for a magazine article, and you will participate in planning
for the next edition of the Crow magazine. The format of classes will be workshop-style, meaning
students will share their projects with the class and critique one another’s work.
Required Reading
All required reading is on the class UR Courses site. Students are also required to read the past 2 issues
of The Crow, available in the lobby and online at www.jschool.ca
Recommended Additional Reading
Great Reads: The Best Canadian Magazine Writing of Our Times/National Magazine Awards 1977-2001
The Art of Fact/A Historical Anthology of Literary Journalism/Karrane & Yagoda (Eds.)/1997
Writing Creative Nonfiction: Fiction Techniques for Crafting Great Nonfiction/ Theodore A. Rees Cheney/ 2001.
Writing for Story : Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction by a two-time Pulitzer Prize Winner / Jon Franklin. New
York : New American, 1986.
Writing Prose: Techniques and Purposes. Third Canadian Edition/ Thomas S. Kane, et. al. /2003.
Magazines: The Crow, Canadian Geographic, Toronto Life, Canadian Business, Alberta Views, Chatelaine,
Harper's, Atlantic, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, New Yorker, Utne Reader, Outside, National
Geographic, Mother Jones, Walrus, Adbusters, New York Times Magazine.
Tentative Schedule
Jan. 8
Discussion: Experiences of the past semester. Goals and expectations. What happens at writers’
workshops. Definitions of literary journalism.
Workshop: Story ideas – roundtable discussion.
For next class: Prepare a draft written story proposal. Take-home readings and assigned questions: Once
a Flight Attendant and I , Witness.
Jan. 15
Discussion: Reading assignment questions. Getting started. Researching for magazines.
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Workshop: Discussion of proposals and research plans. The query letter. Story techique and what it
means for the magazine interview.
For next class: Research action report. Take-home reading: The Ballad of Old Man Pete.
Jan. 22
Narrative style. What makes a story – a review of some concepts. Techniques: observation,
reconstruction, scene by scene construction. Dramatic tension. Complication and resolution.
Group exercise - identifying complication and resolution.
For next class: Write and circulate “Scene” piece. Take-home reading and assigned questions: The Crow
Have “Scene” draft ready for next class.
Jan. 29
Student readings and discussion: “Scene”
Discussion: Key dramatic elements.
For next class: Take home reading and assigned questions: Bird Fell to Earth. Come prepared to discuss
the progress of your research and interviews, and how you think the story will come together. Begin
working toward a first outline.
Query letter due.
Feb. 5
Discussion: The research file. Review of how to prepare a fact-checker’s pack. Laying the research
foundation for a feature story. Working research and interviews into the text. Story structure from
beginning to middle to end.
Workshop: Group exercise – naming the key elements within each student’s piece of work.
For next class: Story beginning, middle, end; topic or subject-driven, comedy or tragedy.
Scene piece due.
Feb. 12
Discussion: Character development and the role of characters. Blocking out an outline.
For next class: “Character” draft.
Feb. 19
READING WEEK – No class
Feb. 26
Discussion: Creative writing. Hearing the story’s voice. Imaginative approaches to language and
storytelling. Clear and active language.
Workshop: Reading and discussion of “Character” drafts.
Feature story outline due.
March 5
Discussion: The editorial process. Re-writing, restructuring, polishing. Fact-checking, trimming and
padding. Editor’s queries, filling holes. Working as a freelancer.
Character piece due.
March 12
Editorial conferences
March 19
All first drafts complete. Editorial conferences
March 26
Editorial conferences
April 2
Editorial conferences
April 9
FEATURE STORIES DUE. Student readings showcase and wrap party.
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Assignments
1. Query: A half-page synopsis of the theme and topic you intend to undertake. The query should not
only show you have a good grasp of the undertaking, but should also showcase your writing style.
Due: January 30 Value: 5 per cent
2. Scene piece: 500-600 word descriptive scene, using techniques of literary journalism. The scene
should be considered a single element in your longer article.
Due: February 6
Value: 15 per cent
3. Feature Story Outline: Identify the theme, major dramatic elements and block out the story structure.
Due: February 27
Value: 5 per cent
4. Character piece: 500-600 word character description using techniques of literary journalism. Again,
the portrait you draw should be considered a single element in your longer article.
Due: March 6
Value: 15 per cent
5. Feature Article: The main focus of this course is the approx. 2,000-word feature magazine article
that you write. It must include substantial research, including at least three interviews in the final draft.
It will be evaluated in the same way a magazine editor would evaluate both a proposal for an article and
the completed article. Curiosity, initiative, originality, accuracy, ability to organize, ability to write in a
clear and intriguing style, imaginative ideas, ability to work independently, ability to respond to editorial
suggestions, as well as ability to work to a deadline will all be factored into the evaluation. Relevant fact
checking information must be included with the final draft. Your piece may be selected for publication
in The Crow (J-School Magazine) at the end of semester but this will have no bearing on the grade
given the article or on the course grade. Each article will be graded according to its own merits, and each
article will be considered for publication.
Due: First draft: Anytime before March 20 Final draft: April 9
Value: 45 per cent
6. Class Participation: Your class attendance, participation in classroom activities and adherence to
deadlines will be graded.
Value: 15 per cent
Late assignments will be penalized 5 per cent per day. Assignments submitted later than
one week from the due date will not be accepted. The final assignment must be submitted
within five days of the last day of class to receive a grade.
Feedback and Advice
You will be expected to do much of the work independently but your instructor will be available during
office hours for consultation and advice as you proceed with your project. In addition, each student will
have scheduled editorial conferences with the instructor.
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