NZQA registered unit standard
27625 version 1
Page 1 of 4
Title
Write features suitable for publication in community newspapers or
on the internet
Level
4
Purpose
Credits
7
This unit standard is intended for people studying journalism in
an off-job situation.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate
knowledge of different types of feature writing applicable to
journalism; and plan, develop and write features suitable for
community newspapers or the internet.
Classification
Journalism > Journalism Skills
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Unit 27619, Demonstrate understanding of news writing, and
write news stories suitable for community newspapers, internet
and radio.
Explanatory notes
1
This unit standard has been designed for learning and assessment off-job where
scenarios may be used to gather evidence. This standard should not be used as part
of a professional journalism course or qualification.
2
Industry text
– Tully, Jim (ed), Intro: A Beginner's Guide to Professional News Journalism
(Wellington: New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation, 4th edition, 2008).
3
Definitions
– features refer to general features, profiles, reviews;
– news journalism style refers to the standard required for news media outlets to
consider publishing the material. It will recognise standards described in the
industry text and may include but is not limited to newsworthiness; platforms;
reliability, validity and usefulness; news values; introductions (impact,
succinctness); structure (appropriate for story type and platform; arranged
logically); grammar; spelling; punctuation; word selection (jargon and clichés
avoided); attribution (mix of direct and indirect quotes including paraphrasing);
understanding (issues in context, key questions answered); balance; fairness;
media style; language used in news media publications;
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27625 version 1
Page 2 of 4
– simulated scenario refers to the training establishment modelling real-life
newsroom and publishing practices.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of different types of feature writing applicable to journalism.
Range
general feature, profile, review.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Different types of feature writing are identified, discussed and recorded in
accordance with news journalism style.
Range
intro and supporting angles; structure; clear, concise and coherent
writing; active voice and vigorous verbs; accurate and consistent
spelling, grammar and punctuation; fairness, accuracy and
balance.
Outcome 2
Plan and develop features suitable for community newspapers or the internet.
Range
evidence is required for two features;
includes one general feature, plus one of – profile, review.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Subjects or topics for features are identified and examined for suitability.
Range
evidence must be in accordance with the industry text;
topicality, relevance, proximity, scope, target audience, editorial
requirements.
2.2
Subjects or topics are selected and researched using relevant sources of
information.
2.3
Information is gathered and organised for the development of plans for the
features.
Range
2.4
may include but is not limited to – clippings, reports, texts,
commentaries, internet postings, public records;
evidence is required for a minimum of two items of information for
each feature.
Plans for the features are developed and approved in accordance with training
establishment practices.
Range
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
sources of information, resources, strategy, process, deadlines,
who, what, where, why, when, how.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
2.5
27625 version 1
Page 3 of 4
Interviews are prepared and conducted in accordance with the guidelines in the
industry text.
Range
includes at least one interview with the central subject.
2.6
Other relevant details are gathered to provide background support, balance and
interest to the feature.
2.7
Ideas for illustration(s) of features are identified, and instructions for the
preparation of illustrative material are written in accordance with training
establishment practices.
2.8
Graphics that may be included are chosen to enhance the features.
Outcome 3
Write features suitable for community newspapers or the internet.
Range
evidence is required for two features, which includes one general feature of at
least 800 words;
plus one of the following, of at least 350 words – profile, column, review.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Features are written in accordance with news journalism style.
Range
3.2
intro and supporting angles; clear, concise and coherent writing;
short, plain sentences; active voice and vigorous verbs; accurate
and consistent spelling, grammar and punctuation; fairness,
accuracy and balance.
Features are corrected in accordance with news journalism style and filed to
meet training establishment practices.
Planned review date
31 December 2016
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
19 January 2012
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0002
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27625 version 1
Page 4 of 4
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Competenz info@competenz.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the
content of this unit standard.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016