Journalism 425: Editorial and Critical Writing
Fall 2013, PSFA-326 Tuesdays, 4 to 6:40 p.m.
Instructor: David Coddon
Phone: 619-980-4183
Email: BarrettSD@aol.com
Office hours: 3-4 p.m. Tuesdays, AL 269
Course Description
Editorial writing for either Web or digital publication involves solid
reporting and research yet, unlike news writing and most feature
writing, requires opinions – opinions based on that reporting and
research. The course also covers the mechanics of writing from an
entertaining, critical perspective, about everything from movies and
plays to films, books, TV shows and music. Among areas of focus: how to
watch with a critical eye or listen with a critical ear; developing a
columnist’s and/or critic’s voice in your writing; and forming an opinion
and making it strong and compelling. Students will write, inside and
outside of class, a variety of editorials, columns and reviews and will
write a fully developed final project piece that will weigh heavily in the
ultimate grade for the course.
Course objectives
1. Write strong, compelling editorials based on fundamental reporting
and meticulous research
2. Produce persuasive and enlightening columns and commentaries
3. Formulate a strong and distinctive critic’s voice
4. Analyze the nuances of effective and ineffective editorials, and of
good, bad and lukewarm reviews
5. Practice writing experiential, film, music and other kinds of reviews
6. Discuss ethics and responsibilities of commentators and critics
7. Write a comprehensive final editorial piece that demonstrates
knowledge accrued throughout the course
Grading criteria
The grade for the course will be based on your final class project (30
percent) as well as on class attendance and participation (10 percent)
and one oral presentation (10 percent). There will be five take-home
writing assignments during the semester, each of which will be worth
10 percent of the remaining 50 percent of your final grade.
Attendance
Regular attendance is expected. Roll will be called at the beginning of
each class. If you must miss a class, find out what you missed from a
classmate. If you have additional questions about that day’s material,
contact me via email.
Class Participation
Class participation and discussion are two of the most important
elements of this class. In order to do so, you MUST READ AND PREPARE
YOUR ASSIGNMENTS IN ADVANCE OF THE CLASS. Students will
participate in many discussions, one-on-one and as a class.
Class Etiquette
No cell phones, pagers, headphones or iPods may be in use during class
time. You are expected to arrive on time to class each day and to remain
for the duration of the period. Please give your full attention to the
instructor, to guests and to your fellow students at all times. Show them
the respect that you expect for yourself. Your participation in class
discussions is strongly encouraged.
Required Course Texts/Materials
Fink, Conrad C., “Writing Opinion for Impact,” 2nd Edition
 Access to Associated Press stylebook
 A notebook that can be used as a journal for writing
Written Work
All material written outside of class is required to be word processed
(New Roman type, 12 pt., double spaced) and stapled.
Plagiarism/Academic Integrity
Students are expected to be honest and ethical at all times. There is a
zero-tolerance policy regarding cheating in this class. Cheating includes
plagiarism. Examples of plagiarism:
1. Submitting work, either in part or in whole, completed by
another.
2. Omitting quotation marks when quoting directly from another,
whether it be a paragraph, sentence or part thereof.
3. Close and lengthy paraphrasing of the writing or work of
another, with or without acknowledgement.
4. Submitting papers purchased from research companies (or
downloaded) as one’s own work.
Students caught cheating or plagiarizing on an exam, quiz or class
assignment will receive a failing grade on that project and possibly as a
final course grade. The instructor also reserves the right to report that
student to the chair of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies.
COURSE OUTLINE, DEADLINES, READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS
This schedule below, including classroom agendas, assignments and
guest speakers, is subject to change.
Week 1 (Aug. 27)
Agenda: Introductions; orientation to course, text, requirements;
discussion of fundamentals of editorials, columns and reviews, perusal
of samples of each; in-class writing exercise
Homework: Read pp. 65-94 in text (“Writing Newspaper Editorials”);
bring sample of an editorial of your choice to class
Week 2 (Sept. 3)
Agenda: Critique of writing exercises; discussion of editorials brought
to class; dissecting an editorial page in print and on the Web; in-class
writing assignment
Homework: Read pp. 23-58 in text (“Identifying Issues for Comment,”
“Reporting and Researching Your Opinions”)
Week 3 (Sept. 10)
Agenda: Guest speaker working in editorial writing or cartooning
(TBA); discussion of opinion and ethics and legalities; class critiques of
pro and con editorials: Did the writer make his/her point?
Homework: Assignment #1: Write an issue-oriented editorial; read pp.
255-276 in text (“Specialty Columns and Comment”)
Week 4 (Sept. 17)
Agenda: Discussion of commentaries – differences between these and
editorials; in-class writing exercise
Homework: Read pp. 281-296 in text (“Commentary for Cyberspace and
Broadcast”)
Week 5 (Sept. 24)
Agenda: Guest speaker editorial writer James Gogek (tentative);
discussion of emotion vs. reason; in-class exercise: arguing a case or
point
Homework: Read pp. 125-152 in text (“Commentary That Hits Hard”)
Week 6 (Oct. 1)
Topic: Lecture, discussion on column-writing; in-class exercise
Homework: Read pp. 159-181 in text (“Amusing, Entertaining or Making
‘Em Cry”); Assignment #2: Write a column or commentary
Week 7 (Oct. 8)
Agenda: Continue discussion of columns; survey on how visuals,
including photographs and videos, make commentary or column points;
guest speaker: Reader columnist Barbarella Fokos
Homework: Read pp. 221-238 in text (“You and Arts Commentary,” part
1); bring in a review of some kind that interests you
Week 8 (Oct. 15)
Agenda: Introduction to criticism; in-class review exercise; handout
on final course assignment, parameters
Homework: Read pp. 239-246 in text (“You and Arts Commentary,” part
2)
Week 9 (Oct. 22)
Agenda: Guest speaker Jeff Smith, theater critic for the Reader;
discussion of reviewing points, techniques, parameters for oral
presentations
Homework: Ungraded reviewing assignment (TBA)
Week 10 (Oct. 29)
Agenda: In-class screening of short film
Homework: Assignment #3: Write review of film
Week 11 (Nov. 5)
Agenda: Critiquing live material, including musical performances;
guest speaker George Varga, pop music critic for UT San Diego
Homework: TBA
Week 12 (Nov. 12)
Agenda: Class will meet at a movie theater to review press screening
of upcoming movie (details TK; this also could move to another week,
depending on the film chosen)
Homework: Assignment #4: Write review of the film screened for us
Week 13 (Nov. 19)
Agenda: Oral presentations; reviewing as experiential exercise: dining
out, public art, leisure, etc.
Homework: Assignment #5: Experiential review TBA
Week 14 (Nov. 26)
Agenda: Visual arts critic Robert Pincus visits; class survey on final
project ideas, progress; discussion of opinion writing expressly for the
Web, including blogs
Homework: Read pp. 299-316 in text (“On Campus Today: How it’s
Done”)
Week 15 (Dec. 3)
Agenda: Workshopping devoted to final course projects
Homework: Finish your final projects
Week 16 (Dec. 10)
Agenda: Final class projects due; this will be an open agenda for lastminute business, discussion, et. al.