Course: MAC 405 Advanced Newspaper and Magazine Production (3 credits. Compulsory)
Course Duration: Three Hours per week for 15 weeks (45 hours) as taught in 2011/2012
session
Lecturer: Adisa R. M.
M.Sc Mass Communication (Lagos)
B.Sc Mass Communication (Kano)
PGDE (NTI Kaduna)
Advanced Digital Appreciation Program-Tertiary (ADAPT) Training (NCC)
Member: NIPR, ACCE
Department of Mass Communication
Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
E-mail:
adisarasaqm@yahoo.com,
adisa.rm@unilorin.edu.ng
Office Location: Department of Mass Communication 1st Floor Room 3
Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Consultation Hours: 10.00 am -12 noon (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Course Contents
Newspaper and magazine production. Visits to Print Media houses and observation of processes
of newspaper and magazine production. Actual production newspapers and magazines.
Course Description
This course is designed to give the students exposure to the advanced stages of newspaper and
magazine designed, layout, typography and production.
Course Justification
Attraction to buying newspaper and magazine in modern age has gone beyond content but also
how the content was packaged and produced. Therefore, the needs to know the rudiments of
production of print media are essential for all print sequence students.
Course Objectives
The main objective of the course is to generally enrich the students’ knowledge of, as well as
expose them to, the intricacies of production and publishing. So, on completion of this course,
the students will:
1. understand major designs and make-up of newspaper and magazine;
2. be able to carry out the processes of newspaper and magazine production;
3. know the basic and advanced techniques of newspaper and magazine production with
relevance to campus journalism;
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4. be able to appreciate the importance of the positions of special pages in print media;
5. understand the importance of magazine cover; and
6. know how to produce newspaper and magazine.
Course Requirements
The course is required for all students at 400 level in the Department of mass communication.
Students should also have at least 75% class attendance before such students could be eligible to
write the semester examination. Students are also required to participate fully in the practical
sessions as directed by the course lecturer. Assignments must be submitted as at when due and
study questions be treated appropriately.
Methods of Grading
S/N Types of Grading
1.
Test
2.
Assignment/Project/Production
3.
Participation in online discussion forum
4.
Final Examination
Total
Score (%)
10
25
5
60
100
Course Delivery Strategies
The main method of course delivery is face-to-face lectures, practical, visit to print media
organizations in Ilorin, discussions, small group exercises and joining and participating in online
group discussion.
Lecture Content
Week 1-2: Organization of a newspaper and magazine outfit
Objective
The main objectives of the weeks are to distinguish between newspaper and magazine outfits.
Also, Students will be equipped with the knowledge of the functions and duties of various
personnel in these organizations.
Description
First Hour week 1
Departments in a newspaper outfit
Departments in a magazine outfit
Second and Third Hours week 1
Organizational structure of a newspaper outfit
Organizational structure of a magazine outfit
First and second Hours week 2
Functions and duties of the personnel in both newspaper and magazine outfits.
Third Hour week 2
Structure of media ownership
Types of media ownership
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Study Questions:
1. List the major departments in a newspaper organization.
2. Explain the functions of newspaper editorial department.
3. What are the duties of advertising department?
4. In the modern age of online journalism, will say circulation department is still relevant?
5. How does organizational structure predict pattern of authority and responsibility in print
media?
6. Describe the pattern of newspaper and magazine ownership in Nigeria.
Reading List
1. Anaeto S. G., Anaeto M. S. and Tejumiaye J. A. (2009). Ibadan: Stirling-Horden
Publishers, pp. 52-61. ISBN: 978-032-589-1.
2. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Publications, p. 23. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
Week 3: Techniques of Newspaper and Magazine production preparation
Objective
The main objectives of this week are to explain to students the general steps involved in
producing newspaper and magazine.
Description
First Hour
News and information gathering
News and feature writing
Second Hour
Editing
Typesetting and composition
Third Hour
Design
Lithography
Printing and packaging
Study Questions
1. List the newsgathering methods.
2. Where can news and information be gathered for newspaper and magazine?
3. What are the basic principles governing the use of news and information in print media?
4. Explain the methods of typesetting for newspaper and magazine.
5. Describe briefly printing and packaging of print media.
Reading List
1. Anaeto4 S. G., Anaeto M. S. and Tejumiaye J. A. (2009). Ibadan: Stirling-Horden
Publishers, pp. 88-113. ISBN: 978-032-589-1.
2. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Publications, pp. 33-34. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
Week 4: Print Production Tools
Objective
The objectives of this week are to explain the tools and instruments that editor and production
editors use in their day to day activities.
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Description
First Hour
Dummy sheet
Printer’s ruler
Exercise on the use of dummy sheet and printer’s ruler
Second and third Hours
Traditional editing symbol
Application of editing symbols
Study Questions
1. Describe dummy sheet.
2. Describe how printer’s ruler is used.
3. List the traditional editing symbols.
4. Apply the traditional editing symbols to the editing of a story.
5. How important are the traditional editing symbols in the age of desktop publishing?
Reading List
1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Publications, pp. 38-43. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
Week 5: Print Media Production Framework
Objective
The main objectives of this week are to explain to students the major newspaper and magazine
production frame work.
Description
First Hour
Newspaper formats
Second Hour
Basic characteristics of tabloid
Basic characteristics of broadsheet
Third Hour
Vertical and horizontal make-up
Advantages and disadvantages of vertical make-up
Advantages and disadvantages of horizontal make-up
Study Questions
1. Explain the two major newspaper formats.
2. List newspapers in Nigeria that have tabloid and broadsheet formats.
3. Describe, with graphical examples, vertical make-up of newspaper.
4. Distinguish between tabloid and broadsheet newspaper.
5. What are the advantages of vertical and horizontal make-up on newspaper look?
Reading List
Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Publications, pp. 107-111. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
Week 6: Newspaper structure
Objective
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The objectives of this week are to explain to students the various parts and structure of
newspaper.
Description
First Hour
Importance of the front page, back page and inside pages.
Elements in the front, back, and inside pages of a standard newspaper.
Second and Third Hours
Analysis of the major parts of a newspaper
Study Questions
1. Describe the front and back pages of two standard newspapers publish in Nigeria.
2. List the major parts of newspaper.
3. State the importance of each of the pages.
4. Compare the back and inside pages of newspaper.
5. State the elements in each of the pages of newspaper.
Reading List
Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Poblications, pp 103-104. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
Week 7: Graphics of Magazine
Objective
The objectives of the week are to describe and point out the major structure of magazine as well
as the factors determining the patterns.
Description
First Hour
Optimum structure regarding editorial and advertisements ratio.
Factors determining structural patterns such as page size, printing and binding.
Second Hour
Types of magazine structure such as: all editorial content, all advertising content.
Preferences for each structure
Third Hour
Process of designing a magazine
Paper quality
Paper size
The grid
Type
Study Questions
1. Select a national newspaper and magazine then make a comparism of the news and
advertising ratio.
2. What are the factors determining structural patterns such as page size, printing and
binding?
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3. Describe the structure determining structural patterns such as page size, printing and
binding.
4. Discuss the types of magazine structure such as: all editorial content, all advertising
content.
5. Discuss the process of designing magazine.
Reading List
1. McKay4 J. (2001) The Magazines Handbook. London: Routledge. pp.158- 169. ISBN 0203-13132-0
Week 8: Magazine Cover
Objective
The main objective of this week topic is to introduce students to the rudiments of magazine cover
and also its importance as the most vital element in creating a total image for the magazine.
Description
First Hour
Elements of a cover format: magazine title, logo design
Illustration and colour combination
Second Hour
Guidelines for making magazine cover
Basic objectives of a cover
Third Hour
Identification of cover subjects
Designing cover using various elements
Study Questions
1. Analyze the various elements of a cover format.
2. Explain the general guidelines for making good magazine cover.
3. Identify cover subjects which are most likely to attract the readers’ immediate attention.
4. Select two magazines published in Nigeria and make a comparism of the two.
5. What are the steps required in selecting magazine cover subjects?
Reading List
1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Publications, pp 103-104. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
2. McKay4 J. (2001) The Magazines Handbook. London: Routledge.pp.158- 169. ISBN 0203-13132-0
Week 9: Problems in newspaper and magazine production/Test (CA)
Objective
The main objectives of this week are to appreciate the problems in newspaper and magazine
publishing. Also, at end of the first and second hours of lecture, students will be examined to find
out their understanding of all the topics we have discussed from weeks 1to 8.
Description
First Hour
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Problems of funding, low readership, circulation, management, socio-political and economic.
Second Hour
Solutions to the problems
Solutions proposal from students
Third Hour
Test
Study Questions
1. Identify the various problems of printing.
2. Describe the problems of management and funding.
3. What are the possible solutions to the problems?
4. What are the major causes of low readership in Nigeria?
5. What is circulation?
Reading List:
1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Publications, pp 181-182. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
Week 10: Printing Technology of Newspaper and Magazine
Objective
Students will be acquainted with the knowledge of the various types of printing technology
which are used for industrial process of reproducing copies of texts and images.
Description
First Hour
History of printing
Art of printing
Second Hour
Functions of printing
Methods of printing
Third Hour
Kinds of printing Machines
Study Questions
1. Trace the history of printing from Johann Gutenberg invention in 1440 to modern time.
2. Describe printing as the mechanical reproduction of texts and images.
3. What are the functions and dysfunctions of printing?
4. List methods of printing.
5. How are letterpress and offset printing carried out?
Reading List:
1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Publications, pp 120-133. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
2. Anaeto4 S. G., Anaeto M. S. and Tejumiaye J. A. (2009). Ibadan: Stirling-Horden
Publishers, pp. 110-113. ISBN: 978-032-589-1.
3. Okoye4 I. (2004). Magazinology. Lagos: Mbeyi and Associates, pp. 93-98.
Week 11-12: Layout and Designs
Objective
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The objectives of this week are to explain the process of arranging headlines, body type, photos,
and other elements on a newspaper and magazine pages.
Description
First Hour week 11
Meaning of make-up/layout
Factors that influence modern make up
Second Hour week 11
Principle of good make up
Third Hour week 11
General rules of newspaper and magazine make-up
First Hour week 12
Types of make-up
Make-up and layout process
Second Hour week 12
Making-up the front page
Third Hour week 12
Back page make-up
Inside pages make-up
Study Questions
1. What is make-up?
2. State the factors that influence the modern make-up.
3. Describe the basic principles of good make-up.
4. What are the rules that must be observed in page make-up?
5. List the types of make-up.
6. Compare and contrast focus and modular make-up.
7. Which type of make-up will be most ideal for the planning of editorial pages?
8. Evaluate the process of make-up in relation to the low circulation rate.
9. Do a carefully and detailed analysis of the front page of a standard newspaper in Nigeria.
10. What are the regular elements in the back page of the Punch newspaper?
11. Describe the steps in planning the inside pages of national newspaper.
Reading List:
1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Poblications, pp 103-118. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
2. Anaeto S. G., Anaeto M. S. and Tejumiaye J. A. (2009). Ibadan: Stirling-Horden
Publishers, pp. 104-108. ISBN: 978-032-589-1.
3. Osho 4 S. A. (2007) Graphic Arts and Designs in Mass Communication. Abeokuta: Essoh Consult Publications, pp 124- 135. ISBN: 978-978-48540-2-6.
Week 13-14: Newspaper and Magazine Production (Practical)
Objective
The main objectives of this weeks are for students to put to use, in practical, all the procedures
and processes of newspaper and magazine production that have been discussed from weeks 1-12.
Description
First, Second and Third Hours of week 13 (production)
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Grouping of students to editorial and production teams
Editing of news stories
Identification and marking for selection of newsworthy stories
First, Second and Third Hours of week 14 (production)
Preparing dummy for newspaper pages
Positioning the name plate, folio, motto and emblem, promo.
Sketch out all news stories, features, headlines, pictures, advertisements etc in the dummy.
Position the back page elements in the dummy
Position the inside pages elements in the dummy
Begin the art work, filming, plating and printing.
Reading List:
1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Poblications, pp 103-118. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
2. Anaeto S. G., Anaeto M. S. and Tejumiaye J. A. (2009). Ibadan: Stirling-Horden
Publishers, pp. 104-108. ISBN: 978-032-589-1.
3. Okoye4 I. (2004). Magazinology. Lagos: Mbeyi and Associates, pp. 93-98.
4. Osho 4 S. A. (2007) Graphic Arts and Designs in Mass Communication. Abeokuta: Essoh Consult Publications, pp 124- 135. ISBN: 978-978-48540-2-6.
Week 15: Revision
Objective
This week which is the last week of lecture and contact in the semester, students will have the
opportunity of seeking for clarifications on any area or issue regarding newspaper and magazine
production. Also, they will be expected to submit the dummy works they carried out in weeks 13
and 14.
Revision Questions
1. Explain the functions of newspaper editorial department.
2. What are the duties of advertising department?
3. In the modern age of online journalism, will say circulation department is still relevant?
4. How does organizational structure predict pattern of authority and responsibility in print
media?
5. Explain the methods of typesetting for newspaper and magazine.
6. Describe briefly printing and packaging of print media.
7. Apply the traditional editing symbols to the editing of a story.
8. How important are the traditional editing symbols in the age of desktop publishing?
9. What are the advantages of vertical and horizontal make-up on newspaper look?
10. Compare the back and inside pages of newspaper.
6. Select two magazines published in Nigeria and make a comparism of the two.
11. What are the steps required in selecting magazine cover subjects?
12. What are the major causes of low readership in Nigeria?
13. Trace the history of printing from Johann Gutenberg invention in 1440 to modern time.
14. Do a carefully and detailed analysis of the front page of a standard newspaper in Nigeria.
15. What are the regular elements in the back page of the Punch newspaper?
Reading List
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1. Adisa4 R. M. (2005) Fundamentals of Newspaper and Magazine Editing and Production.
Osogbo: Positive Impact Poblications, pp 103-118. ISBN: 978-32581-4-3.
2. Anaeto S. G., Anaeto M. S. and Tejumiaye J. A. (2009). Ibadan: Stirling-Horden
Publishers, pp. 104-108. ISBN: 978-032-589-1.
3. Okoye4 I. (2004). Magazinology. Lagos: Mbeyi and Associates, pp. 93-98.
4. Osho 4 S. A. (2007) Graphic Arts and Designs in Mass Communication. Abeokuta: Essoh Consult Publications, pp 124- 135. ISBN: 978-978-48540-2-6.
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