Chabot College
January, 1994
Replaced Fall 2010
Course Outline for Mass Communications 3
JOURNALISM: MAGAZINE AND NEWSPAPER FEATURE WRITING
Catalog Description:
3 - Journalism: Magazine and Newspaper Feature Writing
3 units
Feature writing, free lance journalism and how to get published in newspapers and magazines.
3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]P
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. write interesting features for newspapers and magazines;
2. demonstrate mastery of journalistic writing skills necessary for publication;
3. recognize story ideas and opportunities for selected writing markets;
4. write professional and appropriate query letters to sell pieces to designated market opportunities.
Course Content:
1. Analysis of current writers' market by geographic area and subject matter
2. Development of research and interviewing skills
3. Writing standard feature articles totalling 6,000 words, including profiles, service features, news
features, lifestyle features, timeless features, and critical reviews
4. Completion of a major feature article suitable for publication
5. Writing an accompanying query letter for marketing the course's major feature article requirement
6. Review of basic U.S. libel and privacy laws, and journalistic ethics
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture and discussion
Guest speakers
Evaluation of student work and professional pieces by peer discussion
Development of writing skills with diagnostic testing and appropriate practice in word use,
grammar, etc.
5. Using the Macintosh lab for deadline writing, rewriting, and copy formatting
6. Individual conferences
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Correction and editing of major writing assignments
Verbal discussion, class participation
Quizzes and exams, including final exam
Evaluating students' ability to meet deadlines
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Newswriting, Gerald Stone, Harper Collins
Interviews That Work, Shirley Biagi, Wadsworth Pub.
Feature Writing for Newspapers and Magazines, John Lee and Edward Jay Friedlander,
Harper Collins Pub.
Special Student Materials:
Macintosh floppy disk (provided)
gmc a:\wpfiles\coursoutmc3
Rev. 1/10/94