Comm 222: Grammar for Media Writers
Fall 2014
Instructor: Zengjun Peng, Ph.D.,
Professor of Journalism
Office Phone: 320-308-3278.
Office Location: SH138
Email: zpeng@stcloudstate.edu
How to Reach Me
I expect we can solve most of the problems via online communication. If you do need to
see me in person, you are welcome to schedule an appointment with me at the front desk ofthe
mass communications department (SH125). My office hours are
Tuesday: 1:00–3:30 p.m.
Thursday: 1:00-3:30 p.m.
Course Description
This one-credit online course provides students the basic grammar, style and writing
skillsrequired of professional communicators. Students will be engaged in a series of
intensiveexercises to prepare themselves to be an effective media writer.
Learning Outcome
Specifically, at the end of the course, students will be able to
1. Master basic rules of grammar for media writing including spelling and punctuation.
2. Understand and useAP style.
3. Produce clear, clean and concise copies by applying good grammar and AP style.
4. Develop an understanding and appreciation for the writing process.
Teaching Outcome Evaluations:
This class cherishes the philosophy of active and effective learning through interaction
among the instructor and students. To achieve this goal, outcomes of teaching will be
monitored and measured on a regular basis. Apart from the normal practices of assignments,
quizzes and exams, specific teaching evaluation surveys are designed and will be conducted
when the instructor thinks it’s necessary.
Required Textbook:
Working With Words: A Handbook for Media Writers and Editors (7th edition), by
Brooks,Pinson and Wilson.
Workbook for Working With Words.
Additional Reading and Practice Materials
1. Materials posted on D2L website under Content
2. Newsroom 101.
Course Components
1. Readings and Exercises (20%)
2. Quizzes (20%)
3. Mid-term (25%)
3. Final (35%)
4. Bonus Credits (1-5 percentage points). Students can earn bonus credits by doing
thefollowing activities:
A: Collect bad grammar and style examples found in the mass media or other
presentations.
B: Posting learning materials and resources on D2L.
C: Participate in lectures, presentations and other activities related to mass
communications or diversity.
D: Other activities approved by the instructor.
Instructional Strategies, Procedures and Policies:
Different from a traditional classroom lecture course, this online course will be largely
student-centered where the instructor will act more like an organizer and facilitator of learning.
Although students will enjoy the flexibility and other benefits of an online course, it is by no
means a self-paced independent study. Instead, students will have to progress in line with the
course schedule: complete required readings, meet assignment deadlines and take tests on the
designated time and date.
An outline of the course schedule is provided at the end of this syllabus where you can
get a rough idea of the weekly topics, readings and dates of tests. A more detailed daily schedule
can be found on D2L by clicking content on the navigation bar. This detailed schedule lists the
specifics tasks you need to complete each day. I may modify the schedule based on class
performance and feedbacks. So, please check the schedule regularly. You may be alerted of
important due time/dates; however, it’s your responsibility to keep pace with class progress.
1. Learning by doing and progress through practice shall be the key in this course.
Readingsand exercises will be assigned on D2L, and students will have to follow
closelythe posted instructions.
2. Deadlines will be strictly enforced so it is important that you read and finish all
assignments on time. Be prepared for tests and pop quiz.
3. All the assigned exercises on the Exercise Book must be completed on the week they
are assigned (Weekly Deadline: Sunday, 11:59 p.m., Central US Time). You will need to
grade them using the answer keys provided. IMPORTANT: EACH STUDENT MUST
SUBMIT HIS OR HER EXERCISE BOOK FOR COMPLETION CHECK TO GET
THE CREDIT.
4. Tests and quizzes must be completed and submitted within the designated dates and
timeframe. No makeup examinations or assignment extensions will be given except with
correct and timely documentation for the following reasons: (1) illness, (2) death in the
family, or (3) anofficial St. Cloud State University function in which the student is
officially participating. Exceptin the case of emergency, the instructor has to be informed
in advance.
In cases where documentation is required, students must provide the instructor with
documentation within one week after the deadline or test. Attach an explanatory note
including your name, telephone number, email address, and times you are available for the
make-up quiz. It’s your responsibility to schedule makeup examination or ask for an alternative
assignment due date. Students will not be given the opportunity to make up a missed
examination without following these procedures. Missed examinations result in zero points;
late assignments result in grade reduction.
Student Responsibilities
1. You must have the required textbook and the work book.
2. The course materials are accessible online by logging on the D2L website. You are
strongly advised to play around with D2L course components to familiarize yourself with
the software. For technical assistance, please check with the university technology
helpdesk . I will not be able to offer much help on technical issues.
3. You must use your husky e-mail account as your default email account for this course.
You must check your e-mail regularly throughout the semester. Official announcements
will be made by e-mail and/or on the course web site. When you send the instructor or
TA emails, you must use the subject line: comm. 222 and your full name typed in the
message, or your e-mail may be junked by the computer or me. I will try my best to
answer emails in a timely manner. However, don’t expect I will be dangling in the
virtual world all the time. If multiple questions arise for one issue, I would send a mass
email or post an answer on the message board, rather than respond to each individual
emails.
4. You are required to keep copies of your submissions.
Grading Scale and Rubrics
A= 90% – 100%
B = 80% – 89%
C = 70% – 79%
D = 60% – 69%
F = under 59%
A: Scored 90% and above on average in all tests and quizzes; fully complied with other
course assignments; Free of or minimal grammar and style errors.
B: Scored 80% and above on average in all tests and quizzes; complied with other course
assignments in a competent manner; Limited incidences of grammar and style errors.
C: Scored 70% and above on average in all tests and quizzes; complied adequately with
other course assignments; Limited incidences of grammar and style errors.
D: Scored 60% and above on average in all tests and quizzes; complied marginally with
other course assignments; Frequent incidences of grammar and style errors.
F: Scored 59% and below on average in all tests and quizzes; failed to comply with other
course assignments.
Note: If you find, for whatever reason, your grades are not correctly documented on D2L,
come to me early to fix it. Don’t wait until the last day of the semester to bring up these
issues. If you catch any error or have doubts about your test score, raise the issue within one
week after the scores are posted.
Academic Honesty:
Students are responsible to know and adhere to the definitions, policies, and procedures
concerning academic (mis)conduct. Ignorance is NOT an excuse. The Student Handbook is
available at no charge from the Office of Student Life and Development; you can also access it
online at http://www.stcloudstate.edu/studenthandbook/. Infractions will be dealt with on an
individual basis, at my discretion, and in adherence with
university polices.
Plagiarism/Cheating:
Academic honesty is expected. Any advantage not given to all students is dishonest
whether or not the effort is successful. Cheating on an exam will result in an F (zero points).
Using someone else’s work as your own (plagiarism) OR incorrectly citing sources will also
result in an F (zero) on written and oral assignments. If asked, students must produce proof that
an assignment is their own work. Therefore, students should maintain a verifiable working
process on assignments including drafts of their work and photocopies of research materials.
Please save drafts or versions of assignments under individual computer file names. The inability
to authenticate student work upon request is sufficient grounds for failing the assignment.
A Special Note on Diversity
In line with the University and Department’s commitment to diversity, this course is
intended to serve students from all diverse backgrounds. This course values the diversity that
students bring to class, and such diversity will be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. You
are encouraged to raise and discuss issues that relate to issues of gender, class, race, religion,
disability, nationality, sexual orientation, or any characteristics that have historically caused
groups of people to be or feel disenfranchised from the mainstream of society.
It is my expectation that the classroom is to be the safest environment on campus.
Although this isan online course and not a traditional classroom, I expect that we will all work
within anacademic climate of respect and civility. You are encouraged to question, voice support
or evenopenly disagree with the points of view presented in readings and exercises. At the same
time, Iwill insist that you be mindful and respectful of your peers.
As a special requirement, the special assignment (Diversity exercises in the
workbook) must be completed to pass the class.
Special Accommodation
Don’t’ hesitate to contact the instructor and/or the University Disability Center if you
havespecial needs.
Good Luck!
Weekly Schedule (subject to change):
Week 1: Course orientation/syllabus/introduction
Readings: WWW (working with words): Preface, Intro.
Assignments:
1. Post a 2-3 paragraph self-introduction on the discussion board on D2L.
2. Check out Grammar Girl for quick and dirty tips. Play with the site, and if you like, subscribe
its Podcasts, RSS Feeds and Email Newsletters.
Week 2: Identifying Grammar and Writing Problems
Readings: WWW, Ch. 1
Tasks: Grammar and Style Diagnostic Tests
Assignments:
1. Complete the Basic Skills Pretest on the Exercise Book. Grade it with the Answer Keys
provided on D2L under Content.
2. Logon D2L and complete the Diagnostic Test.
3. Write a 1-2 page report reflecting on your major problem areas with grammar based on
the tests and submit to the dropbox folder on D2L.
Week 3: Grammar Basics
Readings: WWW, Ch. 1.
Assignments:
Complete Exercises for Ch. 1 on Exercise Book (pp. 11-17) and grade them with Answer
Keys provided.
Week 4: Sentence Structure I
Readings: WWW, Ch. 2, 3, 4.
Assignments:
1. Quiz 1. Logon D2L and complete Quiz 1 under Quizzes. This Quiz basically covers the
basic grammar you have been learned so far and tested. This counts 15 percent toward
your final grade.
2. Complete the Chapter exercises (Ch. 2: pp. 25-27, Ch. 3: pp. 35-38, Ch. 4: pp. 45-48)
Week 5: Sentence Structure II
Readings: Ch. 5, 6, 7.
Assignments:
Complete the Chapter exercises (Ch. 5: pp. 51-54, Ch. 6: pp. 63-65, Ch.7: 69-71).
Week 6: Words and Usage I
Assignments:
Complete the Chapter exercises (pp. 73-75).
Week 7: Words and Usage II
Readings: Ch. 8 (skim wordlist K to Z).
Assignments:
Complete the Chapter exercises (pp. 77-79).
Week 8: Mid-term
Week 9: Punctuation & Spelling
Readings: Ch. 9 &10
Assignments:
Complete the Chapter exercises (Ch. 9: pp. 81-82, Ch. 10: pp. 87-88).
Week 10: Journalistic Writing Style
Readings: Ch. 11&12
Assignments: Complete the Chapter exercises (all of them for the two chapters, pp.91-96)
Week 11: Diversity and Sensitivity
Readings: Ch.13
Assignments:
1. Quiz No. 2: Logon D2L and complete quiz No. 2. This counts 15 percent towards your
final grade
2. Complete the Chapter exercise (p. 97-101)
Week 12: Writing for Print Media
Readings: Ch.14
Assignments: Complete the Chapter Exercises (pp. 103-106).
Week 13: Writing for Electronic and Online Media:
Readings: Ch. 15, 16.
Assignments: Complete the Chapter Exercises (all of them: pp. 107-111)
Week 14: Recess (Thanksgiving Holiday and Fall Break Compensation)
Week 15: Review and Exercise Book due for credit (20 percent towards final grade).
Week 16: Final Exam