JAMS 201 | MEDIA WRITING | Spring 2014
Department of Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Lubar S151 | Facebook
Lecturer
Teaching assistants
Jane Hampden Daley
Rachel Anderson rea@uwm.edu |
Tues 1-2, Wed 10-11 room 560
jhampden@uwm.edu
Kate Kallenberger kallenb4@uwm.edu |
Monday 10-noon; Thursday 10-11 room 560
Cell: 414-962-0776
Bolton 530
Caitlin PenzeyMoog penzeym2@uwm.edu |
Thursday 11-1, office 522
Office hours: Wednesday 1-3; Thursday 8-10
(or by appointment)
Simone Smith smith992@uwm.edu |
Wed 9-11, room 560
Robin Turnblom turnblom@uwm.edu |
Monday 12-1 , wed 3-4
DESCRIPTION
Careers in any media field – advertising, public relations, journalism, marketing, internal or external communications – require
excellent writing skills. Clear, concise writing is more important than ever in a time of instant communication. Excellent writers
earn respect and get good jobs. In JAMS 201, we will reinforce the foundations of great writing: powerful sentences, meaningful
content and memorable style. We will review basic rules of grammar, sentence structure and punctuation and learn how media
professionals apply writing principles to press releases, ad campaigns, news articles and other forms of communication. The
course also serves as a preview of concentrations offered in the Department of Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies, and
strengthens writing skills for any academic or professional purpose.
GOALS
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identify and follow rules of grammar, sentence structure and punctuation
write clearly, simply and vividly using Associated Press Style
understand the style, conventions and purpose of strategic writing for advertising and public relations
understand the style, conventions and purpose of objective news writing for various media
tailor writing to specific audiences
understand traditional news values and how they guide media writing
learn about jobs in advertising, public relations, communication and journalism
analyze and write press releases
analyze and write ad copy
analyze and write news stories
identify characteristics of broadcast writing
follow current events and trends in advertising, public relations, communication and journalism
appreciate the power and joy of great storytelling
JAMS 201 | Media Writing | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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discover writing resources for continued improvement
Lecture content (big picture):
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Introduce types of writing for advertising, public relations and journalism; learn about jobs in these fields and resources
for media writers
Highlight most important elements of the week’s grammar, AP Style quizzes
Introduce upcoming writing assignments and grading criteria
Lab activities (practice):
-
Practice grammar or AP Style concepts for the upcoming quiz
Practice writing to prepare for upcoming assignments
Critique the work of other writers to prepare for upcoming assignments
CLASS INFORMATION ON D2L
Check the class D2L News and Content pages first for updated information on quizzes, assignments and deadlines. Jane will post
updates, assignment sheets, readings and other documents after every class. Always check the D2L site first if you have questions,
and feel free to contact Jane or your teaching assistant for clarification. The week-by-week class outline (located under the
syllabus on the Content page) is subject to change and will be updated after any changes are posted to the D2L news page.
REQUIRED TEXTS – BRING BOTH BOOKS TO LAB EVERY WEEK
1. When Words Collide: A Media Writer's Guide to Grammar and Style, Eighth Edition, (with Student Workbook), ISBN10: 1-133-54881-4, ISBN-13: 978-1-133-54881-2. ONLY THIS EDITION AND THIS VERSION, WITH THE STUDENT
WORKBOOK ATTACHED, will allow you to fulfill course requirements.
The text is available for $95 here.
Or, cut and paste the link below into a browser:
http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/en/US/storefront/US;CMGTJSESSIONID=zp3pSTth1C3TwcTT9G1mGQyV8PhPjtVvK0wfy
vTH1JjVmG1FWQT1!-1308737671?cmd=DisplayLandingPage&entityNumber=6343&entryPoint=storefront&cid=11GDMVTB&id=47383&messageType=DisplayLandingPage
This edition of When Words Collide is also available at the UWM Bookstore, but the cost is higher there.
2. Associated Press (AP) Stylebook - used/any recent year is fine - available at UWM Bookstore.
WEEKLY D2L QUIZZES – due before midnight on Sundays
Most weeks, there will be a D2L quiz on When Words Collide or AP Style. Completion of all readings is essential to
understanding basic principles in 201. Assignments will be graded based on correct use of grammar and writing principles
outlined in the required text and in class.
All quizzes are due before midnight Sunday. No exceptions. Quizzes will be posted on D2L at least 48 hours before the
deadline. Start the quiz early, do not use a wireless Internet connection, and save each answer to avoid D2L quiz problems.
Unless there is a documented, campus-wide D2L failure, the instructor will not offer quiz re-takes.
WRITING ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
At the top of every assignment include name, course and lab section, assignment, date – failure to include this information can
result in an F for the assignment.
Use .doc, .docx or .rtf formats – wrong documents, blank documents, un-openable documents or assignment sheets uploaded in
place of completed assignments will get grades of 0. Students will not get credit for documents submitted to the wrong dropbox.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance and punctuality count in 201. Students who attend lectures and labs consistently earn the highest grades. Lectures and
labs offer information and writing practice that is vital to success in the class.
Lecture attendance is worth 5% of your grade. To get lecture attendance credit, check in with your lab instructor and sign the
attendance sheet before 9:10 a.m.
Lab assignments and activities are worth 15% of your grade. To get credit for the day’s lab, arrive on time and complete lab work
as assigned and to the best of your ability. Lab instructors may reduce lab credit for students who arrive late.
With advance notice of an excused absence, the instructor or teaching assistants may offer to review missed material or
assignments. Students cannot not make up lab work without advance notice of an absence. Doctors’ notes or links to obituaries are
required for excused absences due to illness or a death in the family.
ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS
Jane and the teaching assistants strongly encourage students to visit during office hours or by appointment for one-on-one help or
discussion about course material. If you have questions about a writing assignment grade, please contact your teaching assistant
first, and feel free to follow up with Jane if you have further questions or concerns. We are happy to review rough drafts of
writing assignments in person before the due date, but not via email. Please take advantage of our open door policy and meet with
us often for personal feedback!
GRADING CRITERIA





Weekly grammar & AP Style quizzes (based on class texts)
Final grammar exam
Writing assignments
Lab assignments, activities and participation
Lecture attendance & adherence to class rules
35%
10%
35%
15%
5%
JAMS 201 | Media Writing | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
100-94=A
93-90=A- 89-87=B+
86-84=B
83-80=B-
79-77=C+
76-74=C
73-70=C-
69-67=D+
66-64=D
63-60=D-
59-0=F
To be accepted as a major in the department of Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies, you must meet the following
requirements. Please read carefully:
http://www4.uwm.edu/ugcatalog/SC/D_LS_584.html#reqmaj
Contact Taylor Pamperin, JAMS academic department associate, with questions: pamperit@uwm.edu or 414-229-4436.
JAMS POLICIES
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism can result in an F for the assignment or the class, and/or referral to the university system for academic misconduct.
Copying the words of others from the Internet or any source is plagiarism, unless you put them in quotation marks with proper
attribution and context. If you have a question about use of any material, contact the instructor. Don’t risk the consequences of
stealing words or ideas belonging to someone else.
University policy on plagiarism and academic misconduct: http://www4.uwm.edu/acad_aff/policy/academicmisconduct.cfm
Re-using material:
Re-using stories or assignments from other classes and representing them as original work for JAMS 201 can result in an F for the
assignment or the class.
Sources/Interviews/Accuracy:
Faking or misrepresenting sources can result in an F for the assignment or the class, and/or referral to the university system for
academic misconduct.
Anonymous sources: use only with prior instructor approval and under extraordinary circumstances.
Family members or friends as sources: only with prior instructor approval.
Phone/email interviews: identify as such in story i.e. “County Supervisor Charlie Jones said in an email…” “…Wendy Smith said
in a phone interview.” The best way to obtain an interview is to talk with your source in person.
Quoting other news media or using quotes from other media is unacceptable in news writing and can result in an F for the
assignment.
Transparency: tell all sources you are a student reporter for the multimedia news site Media Milwaukee, and that your story could
be published on the Internet.
Incorrect titles or facts: can result in an F for the assignment.
Media Milwaukee:
High-quality student work may be eligible for posting on the award-winning JAMS multimedia news site Media Milwaukee
(usually stories with grades above 93%). Content posted to Media Milwaukee can be used as “clips” or work samples for
internship and job applications. Stories will be considered for publication when all suggested edits are complete and all print,
photo, audio and video elements are formatted as outlined in class. All elements must be of professional quality. All elements must
be clearly labeled and left in the Media Milwaukee dropbox or class folder per instructor guidelines.
Professionalism:
Inappropriate emails or other unprofessional communication will result in a referral to the JAMS department chair.
Distractions:
Use of the Internet, smart phones and cell phones is prohibited unless related to in-class assignments and can result in a lower
grade for participation and adherence to class rules.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
University policies overview: http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/SyllabusLinks.pdf
1. Students with disabilities. Accommodations for students with disabilities: http://www4.uwm.edu/sac/SACltr.pdf
2. Religious observances. Accommodations for absences due to religious observance:
http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/S1.5.htm
3. Students called to active military duty. Accommodations for absences due to call -up
of reserves to active military duty:
Students: http://www4.uwm.edu/academics/military.cfm
Employees: http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/S40.htm
4. Incompletes. A notation of "incomplete" may be given in lieu of a final grade to a
student who has carried a subject successfully until the end of a semester but who,
because of illness or other unusual and substantiated cause beyond the student's
control, has been unable to take or complete the final examination or to complete
some limited amount of term work:
http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/S31.pdf
5. Discriminatory conduct (such as sexual harassment). Discriminatory conduct will
not be tolerated by the University. It poisons the work and learning environment of the
University and threatens the careers, educational experience, and well-being of
students, faculty, and staff:
http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/S47.pdf
6. Academic misconduct. Cheating on exams or plagiarism are violations of the
academic honor code and carry severe sanctions, including failing a course or even
suspension or dismissal from the University:
http://www4.uwm.edu/acad_aff/policy/academicmisconduct.cfm
7. Complaint procedures. Students may direct complaints to the head of the academic
unit or department in which the complaint occurs. If the complaint allegedly violates
a specific university policy, it may be directed to the head of the department or
academic unit in which the complaint occurred or to the appropriate university office
responsible for enforcing the policy:
http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/S49.7.htm
8. Grade appeal procedures: http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/S28.htm
9. Final exam requirements & dates:
https://www4.uwm.edu/secu/docs/other/S22.htm
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:
Jane Hampden Daley (senior lecturer) Jane has more than 20 years’ experience in journalism. For five years, she hosted the Lake
Effect interview program on WUWM, Milwaukee Public Radio. Before pursuing a career in public radio, Hampden worked for 15
years as a television news anchor and reporter in Denver and Milwaukee, most recently as a news anchor for WISN Channel 12.
She has received many awards for writing and reporting, including three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her work at
WUWM. Hampden is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and Columbia University’s Graduate
School of Journalism. Website: http://jhampden.com
Rachel Anderson (TA) Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from UW- Milwaukee and is now pursuing a M.A. in
Media Studies. In previous years at UWM, Rachel served as a peer mentor and orientation leader in the Student Success Center. In
addition, Rachel worked as a leadership trainer, social media manager and blog writer for a Milwaukee-based leadership
development company, FOCUS Training. She is an active member of Milwaukee's Italian Community Center and periodically
JAMS 201 | Media Writing | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
contributes content to the food blog on the ICC website. When she has free time, Rachel loves to cook, read and write blogs,
engage in social media, and go running along the lake with her Rottweiler, Capone.
Kate Kallenberger (TA) Kate graduated from UWM with a degree in Media Studies and a minor in English. As an undergraduate
she worked as a writer and copyeditor at a campus marketing service and wrote poetry for furrow, UWM’s literary magazine. She
also produced and wrote questions for the university’s intramural trivia league for two semesters. Her interests include
surveillance culture, political philosophy and theory, power dynamics, consumer research, advertising and pop culture criticism
with a focus on gender, class, spirituality and identity. Kate also enjoys tennis, graphic novels, fine dining and the Green Bay
Packers.
Caitlin PenzeyMoog (TA) Caity is researching cyberbullying in Wisconsin for her thesis and Reddit on the side. She also works
at the UWM Post. Caity received a B.A. in Journalism with Honors from UW-Milwaukee in May 2011. She completed the
print/online and broadcast tracks and a Digital Arts and Culture Certificate. During her time at UWM she wrote and copy edited
for the UWM Post and completed several internships, including ThirdCoast Digest, Franklin NOW and WUWM Milwaukee
Public Radio. Caity served as president of UWM’s SPJ chapter and worked on undergraduate research with JAMS Professor
Jeffery Smith on Civil War era newspaper suppression.
After graduation Caity wound up a sous chef at Watt’s Tea Shop.
After a year working in a kitchen she realized the restaurant industry was not for her and returned to UWM to pursue an M.A. in
Media Studies.
Simone Smith (TA) Simone is a part-time Beyonce stan entering her second year of graduate school. She is a 2012 graduate of
Marquette University with a B.A. in journalism. At Marquette, she was a reporter for the school paper and had internships at The
Business Journal of Greater Milwaukee and Milwaukee Magazine. After spending her birthday this summer covering a murder
trial for her blog, she has rededicated herself to pursuing a career in journalism. Simone's thesis will be on diversity in college
though she has other research interests such as journalism and social media. Outside of school she plans her wedding and works on
living a little.
Robin Turnblom (TA) Robin has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Western Washington University. While attending
Western, she worked as a reporter, copy editor and opinion editor for The Western Front, but realized her passion was for
analyzing the cultural significance of news and media rather than creating them. Now a media studies graduate student in the
JAMS department, her research interests include feminist theory, women's health and health campaigning. In her undergrad, she
was a theater major before landing on journalism, and she's still trying to get back into art mode when she's not reading for class,
watching Breaking Bad or taste-touring the local beverages and cuisine (Robin came to Milwaukee already armed with an affinity
for beer and cheese).