Journalism 306 Editorials
WIU Department of English and Journalism • Fall 2014
Time: MWF 11-11:50 a.m.
Room: Simpkins 309
Instructor: Lisa Kernek
L-Kernek@wiu.edu
Office: Simpkins 226-i
Mobile: (309) 569-1270
Office hours
Monday: Noon-1:30 p.m. (except on Oct. 6 because of an out-of-town appointment)
Wednesday: Noon-1:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Required textbook:
 Writing Opinion for Impact, 2nd edition (Conrad C. Fink)
Recommended reading:
 Associated Press Stylebook, recent edition
 “N.Y. Times” online subscription
 “Western Courier” (free MWF)
Course overview
This course will introduce you to different styles of journalistic opinion writing. This style of
writing is the opposite of “just-the-facts, ma’am,” neutral newswriting. Your goal will be to write
persuasively and passionately. You will learn how to do research to back up your argument and
write authoritatively.
You will have three major writing assignments: a newspaper editorial, a column and a review.
Instructions for these assignments will be provided in handouts. You will also have shorter
writing exercises. Each week you will be assigned readings from your textbook and
supplementary articles that I will provide. Your participation grade will be based in part on your
contributions to discussions of readings.
Expectations for writing assignments
I will evaluate writing for accuracy, fairness, completeness, use of AP Style and grammar. Stories
will be graded according to how ready they are for publishing: A = publishable; B = good but
needs editing; C = needs major rewriting; D = inaccurate and/or incomplete; F = failure to meet
basic journalistic standards, or to turn in a story.
You are expected to submit original work produced only for this class.
Course requirements
Your course grade will consist of:
Weekly exercises
300 points
Editorial
100 points
Column
100 points
Review
Attendance and participation
Midterm exam
Final exam
Total
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
900 points
Course grading scale
Based on percentage of total points
A
AB+
B
B–
C+
93 to 100 percent
90 to 92.9
87 to 89.9
83 to 86.9
80 to 82.9
77 to 79.9
C
C–
D+
D
D–
F
73 to 76.9
70 to 72.9
67 to 69.9
63 to 66.9
60 to 62.9
0 to 59.9
POLICIES
Plagiarism/fabrication
You are expected to do your own, original works of nonfiction. WIU’s academic integrity policy
defines plagiarism as “intentionally or knowingly presenting the work of another as one's own”
(http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php). In other words, if you quote from someone else’s
work, give credit where it’s due. Plagiarizing another’s work without giving credit, and/or
fabricating quotes, names, events or other material, will result in an F for the course.
Deadlines
Hard copies of stories are due at the start of class on the day they are due. A story handed in late
or e-mailed after class on the day it is due will lose a half-letter grade. A story will lose one letter
grade for every weekday it is late. Deadlines are very important in journalism!
Attendance
This class requires some in-class assignments. Regular, prompt attendance is important.
I grant three automatically excused absences—no questions asked, no documentation needed.
Beginning with the fourth absence, points will be deducted from the participation grade (worth
100 points total) and any missed work may not be made up. I make exceptions for circumstances
beyond students’ control, so please contact me in the event of an emergency.
Homework or quizzes missed because of the first three excused absences should be made up
within a week of the absences. Make-up work turned in more than a week after the missed class
will not be accepted. Exams cannot be rescheduled without special permission in advance from
me.
Classroom Conduct
 Computer monitors must be turned off during class lectures and discussions. Students may
not use the computers during lectures and discussions.
 Students may not work on homework for this class or other classes during class lectures.
 Mobile devices, including phones, tablets and laptops, should be set to silent and stored OUT
OF SIGHT during class so they won’t disturb other students. Students using mobile devices
during class will be asked to leave.
Accommodations for disabilities
Please notify me if you need academic accommodations or require special assistance in the event
of an emergency.
READING AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE*
Week
1
Date
August
M 25
W 25
Lesson plan
Chapter
Introduction
The Responsibilities of Opinion Writers
1
F 29
2
3
September
M1
Labor Day; no class
W3
Identifying Issues for Comment
F5
Exercise 1 due
M8
Reporting and Researching Your Opinions
W 10
Discussion of supplemental reading (to be
provided)
2
3
F 12
4
M 15
Writing Newspaper Editorials
4
M 22
Writing Magazine Editorials
5
W 24
Class exercises on editorials
W 17
F 19
5
F 26
6
M 29
Commentary That Hits Hard
6
October
W1
Amusing, Entertaining or Making’Em Cry
Due: Editorial assignment
7
M6
Specialty Columns and Comment
10
W8
Class exercises on columns
F3
7
F 10 holiday
8
Fall break; no class
M 13
The Fun and Business of Sports
W 15
Midterm
8
F 17
9
M 20
W 22
F24
Discussion of reading
handout
10
11
M 27
Due: Column
W 29
Discussion: reading
F 31
(Last day to drop a course is Sunday, Nov. 2)
November
M3
You and Arts Commentary
W5
F7
12
M 10
W 12
F 14
13
M 17
W 19
Due: Review
F 21
14
Holiday week
M 24 to F 28
December
M1
Thanksgiving break
W3
F5
15
16
M8
W 10
Final exam review
F 12
Last day of classes
Finals week
Final Exam 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17
handout
9