COMM 3280
Adam Horn, Assistant Professor
Sports Writing
Spring 2007
(W) 6 – 8:45 p.m.
Office phone: 543-4925
E-mail: ahorn@UCM.edu
Office: Martin 136Q
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Fensch, T. (1995). The Sports Writing Handbook (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Goldstein, N. (2006). Associated Press: Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law.
COURSE OVERVIEW
This course is designed to familiarize students with various aspects of professional sports writing.
Upon completion of this course students should have attained knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
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How to write for sports print media, sports public relations and sports broadcasting.
How to use Associated Press (AP) style.
Various writing techniques.
Interviewing techniques.
Types of reporting (game reporting, features, editorials).
How to write effective leads and endings.
Story structure and development.
How to incorporate statistics and press release information into stories.
Professional protocol and ethics.
BASIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Assignment due dates: Treat this class as if you are a sports reporter, PR Director, or sports broadcaster. Deadlines
are critical in all of these professions. Therefore, assignments MUST be handed in the evening they are due. If an
assignment is late, it will lose two letter grades for each week late (one day counts as a week). Papers that are
missed may not be made up unless prior and acceptable arrangements have been made with me. Not completing
even ONE assignment will result in a failing grade for the course.
Test: There is one test during finals week. The test will be cumulative. It will consist of editing a sports story,
writing in appropriate AP style and short answer questions using AP style.
Attendance: Your success and that of your classmates depends on YOUR attendance record! If you do not attend
regularly your ability to learn and your grade will be impaired. A doctor’s note does not constitute an excused
absence. If you are late on a consistent basis (or in a manner that is disruptive), you will be counted absent for that
day. If you miss 1/3 (which is 4 classes) or more of the class, you will receive a failing grade in the course.
Participation & Preparedness: Preparation for class (i.e., reading assignments when scheduled, adding to
discussions) will ensure that your participation is of value. Participation also means completing assignments on time
and being highly involved in all assigned group projects. You will also be expected to bring materials to class when
asked. This grade is assigned by the instructor. Cell phones must be shut off or muted during all class
times…they are highly disruptive.
Class Conduct: Everyone is expected to respect the rights of other students. Class disruptions of any kind will not be
tolerated. Disrupting/distracting people who are speaking will lead to dismissal from the classroom.
Plagiarism &/or Dishonesty: Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated! Plagiarism is when you use someone
else’s work or ideas as your own. If there is any doubt in your mind as to the proper way to refer to another’s work,
please see your instructor. If you are caught engaging in plagiarism, you may flunk the assignment, the class or you
may be sent to the Dean for disciplinary action. The key here is then, DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! At the same time,
conduct yourself with integrity and honesty at all times whether completing assignments, working in groups, taking
tests, et cetera. Check with the Student Handbook.
ADDITIONAL CLASS NOTES
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The course schedule that you have in your possession is TENTATIVE. If circumstances dictate that it be
amended, then that will happen. You will be kept clearly informed.
You must complete every paper assigned during the course of the class. If you do not, you will receive an
“F” for your final course grade (unless extenuating circumstances are operative). It is not my
responsibility to make sure you meet your deadlines, that is your responsibility.
UCM is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Institution. Students with disabilities or other special needs
should feel free to contact the professor privately if there are services or adaptations which can be made to
accommodate special needs.
Final grades are relatively inflexible. The total sum of your semester grades WILL determine your course grade.
I give bonus points at strategic points throughout the semester. This means I do not boost grades into the next
higher level at semester’s end just because “they are so close.”
Students are encouraged to visit the Writing Center in Humphreys 116 for writing assistance. Please check
www.ucmo.edu/writingcenter or call 4367 for more information about hours and satellite locations.
COURSE EVALUATION
Sample sheet for calculating final grade:
Paper #1
Paper #2
Paper #3
Paper #4
_____ = _____ x .20 = _____
_____ = _____ x .20 = _____
_____ = _____ x .20 = _____
_____ = _____ x .20 = _____
Final Test
Attendance
_____ = _____ x .15 = _____
_____ = _____ x .05 = _____
TOTAL _____ = _____
GRADE SCALE
Grade scale: All individual projects will be graded on a 100 point scale. The letter grade received will then convert
to the following decimals and be used to calculate your accumulative grade:
A+ = 4.25
A = 4.0
A- = 3.75
B+ = 3.25
B = 3.0
B- = 2.75
C+ = 2.25
C = 2.0
C- = 1.75
D+ = 1.25
D = 1.0
D- = .75
F = .50 or .00
Final course grades will be determined by the following intervals:
A= 4.25 - 3.51
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B= 3.50 - 2.51
C= 2.50 - 1.51
D= 1.50 - .51
F= .50 & below
An “A” story is basically without error and generally ready for publication.
A “B” story is a good, solid effort that needs only minor editing.
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A “C” story needs substantial editing, has several grammar/punctuation/spelling/style errors, lacks sufficient
depth, has serious omissions, or otherwise acceptable only after re-writing and/or editing.
A “D” story may contain factual errors, have extensive structural or grammar/punctuation/spelling/style errors
or otherwise be unacceptable for publication.
A grade of “F” will be assigned to late submissions after deadline, stories that do not meet the minimum
length/source requirements set by the instructor, or stories that have more severe problems than a “D” story.
You will also receive an automatic “F” if you fail to comply with the list of frequent AP style errors.
DAILY SCHEDULE
Day
Date
Assignments - Tentative and Subject to Change
(W)
Jan. 10
Introduction to the course, syllabus, information sheet
Assign Story #1
Discuss Game Protocol and Game Notes
Attend Mules game vs. Missouri Western State College
Read chapters 1-4 (pp. 1-74)
(W)
Jan. 17
Discuss chapters 1-4
Work on story leads
(TH)
Jan. 18
Attend Mules game vs. Ft. Hays State – DO NOT forget your credential
(W)
Jan. 24
Work on story #1
Assign Story #2
(W)
Jan. 31
Story #1 due prior to the start of the Mules game
Attend Mules game vs. Truman State
(W)
Feb. 7
Work on story #2
Assign Story #3
(W)
Feb. 14
Story #2 due prior to the start of the Mules game
Attend Mules game vs. Missouri Southern State College
(W)
Feb. 21
Work on story #3
Read chapters 6-7 (pp. 79-114)
(W)
Feb. 28
Story #3 due at the beginning of class
Discuss chapters 6-7
Class exercises: Video
Read chapters 8-10 (pp.115-132)
(W)
March 7
No Class - Spring Break
(W)
March 14
Discuss chapters 8-10
Class exercises: Video
Assign Story #4 (Mules baseball March 23-25)
Read chapters 11-13 (pp. 133-166)
(W)
March 21
Discuss chapters 11-13
Class exercises: Video
Read chapters 14-15
(W)
March 28
Discuss chapters 14-15
Class exercises : Video
(W)
April 4
Work on story #4 due at the end of class
Story #4 due
(W)
April 11
No Class
(W)
April 18
No Class
(W)
April 25
Practice test and AP style exam
(W)
May 2
Final Test – AP Style Exam