Media Writing |1
Introduction to Media Writing
COMM/ENGL 2413
Fall Semester, 2012
12:40A-1:30P, MWF
Williams 2
INSTRUCTOR:
Kara Heinrichs, Ph.D.
Office: Fee 20
Phone: (425) 889-5759
E-Mail: kara.heinrichs@northwestu.edu
Office Hours: MWF 10-11AM, T 10-12:30P & By Appointment
TEXTS:
Harrower, T. (2010) Inside Reporting: A practical guide to the craft of
journalism, 2nd Ed. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Goldstein, N. (2010). The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on
Media Law. New York; Basic Books.
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to help you become a stronger writer and
consumer of media as we learn the craft of journalistic reporting. The
world of journalism is rapidly evolving and we will study the context of
these changes in terms of historical and current journalistic practices.
This class is a laboratory for creating and producing effective writing for
media.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
☼ Learn the basic skills of writing powerful news stories. This course will help students
learn how to write basic news stories, a profile, a feature, an editorial and a press release.
☼ Understand how to utilize AP style and edit writing. An essential tool for any journalistic
writer is to understand the rules of style and grammar. Learning how to edit your work and the
work of others is a primary focus in this course.
☼ Develop effective interviewing skills and experience. We will explore how to learn
information from interviewees and communicate his/her words effectively and accurately in a
story.
☼ Be trained to write news stories for various forms of media. We will write stories
designed for print media and broadcast media. Students will also write press releases and work
for online news sites.
☼ Better comprehend the relationship between writing, art, design and layout. We will
study the layout tools and practices of the top newspapers and explore how we can integrate art
and stories together in an effective manner.
☼ Gain knowledge of media law and liability. The essential rules and ethics for journalists
will be explored and practiced in this course.
Media Writing |2
ATTENDANCE:
Part of our mission in the Communication Department is to help you
become a strong writer and communicator through ongoing interaction in
this intellectual environment. In order to be part of that conversation, your
attendance is essential. Because the semester goes by quickly,
missing more than three class periods will negatively impact your final
grade. Class periods are only once a week so you need to be on time
and prepare to stay. If you come late or leave early, it may count as an
absence. In order to promote a fair environment for all members of this
course, I am bound to uphold the attendance requirement equally for
everyone. Therefore, please understand that I cannot give you special
dispensation.
On the other hand, if you make this course a priority in your academic
career, I want acknowledge your efforts by rewarding you. If you have
perfect attendance, you will receive a bonus at the end of the semester
of 15 extra points toward your final grade. If your grade is “on the
bubble,” this reward may be your best opportunity to make a higher
grade.
GRADING:
ACADEMIC
HONESTY:
DISABILITY
STATEMENT:
CLASS
DISCUSSIONS:
Because there is only a limited amount of time in this course, deadlines
must be taken seriously. Moreover, media writing absolutely depends on
making deadlines. Therefore, late work may not be accepted. We will be
reviewing each other’s work in class and your participation will be greatly
impacted if you don’t have your work in on time. If you must miss an
assignment, contact me before it is due and know that you may receive a
15% reduction per day that it is late or it may not be accepted at all.
Dishonesty in any form (cheating on a qiuz, plagiarism, etc.)
will automatically result in an "F" on that assignment and, potentially,
additional actions. In particular, any material from other sources used in
your papers should be referenced in an appropriate manner. All work you
turn in must be your own.
If you have, or think you may have, a disability (including an ‘invisible
disability’ such as a learning disability, a chronic health problem, or a
mental health condition) that interferes with your performance as a
student in this class, you are encouraged to arrange support services
and/or accommodations by working with the capable staff in the
Academic Success and Advising Center in Williams Hall. You can email
them at success@northwestu.edu. Disability-based adjustments to
course expectations can be arranged only through this process.
I am looking forward to lively and interesting discussions and will do my
best to encourage them. For your part, I request that you keep up with
the readings and exercises so that you will be prepared each day to
engage in discussion. Come to class with an opinion (or opinions) about
the ideas and be prepared to take positions in class discussions and
debates. I expect everyone to speak knowledgeably and critically about
the readings.
Media Writing |3
COURSE STRUCTURE
PARTICIPATION
& QUIZZES:
EXERCISES:
NEWS
ARTICLES:
Your contribution to the class is highly valued and a significant portion of
your grade will be based on how you participate in peer review, discussion
and application activities. It is essential that you bring your AP style
book to each class period because we will be referring to it in class
activities throughout the semester. There will be several assignments
that are designed to help you learn more about the concepts we will focus
on throughout the semester. You will be asked to demonstrate your
knowledge and understanding of the concepts through various quizzes.
Points will be given based on how thoroughly and thoughtfully your
participation and assignments are completed. Some assignments will
need to be completed outside of class and presented to your peers.
We will complete seven different exercises that will increase your
knowledge of media writing practices. These exercises will also allow
you to enhance your understanding of how news stories fit into the larger
picture of media production and presentation. These exercises will be
completed outside of class and will require you to research, read and
analyze news media. As with the in class activities, these exercises will
be graded based on your thorough and thoughtful analysis and
application of the concepts. You may receive feedback from your peers
and you will be expected to knowledgeably discuss others’ work. You will
be asked to reflect on the exercises in short papers as well as give
presentations to others in the class.
You will carefully write and edit six different news stories over the course
of the semester. To begin, I will give you quotes and facts for you to put
together in a story. However, you will also generate your own news
stories by conducting interviews, checking facts and using your media
writing skills effectively. In addition to the basic news stories, you will
have the opportunity to write specialized news stories including a profile,
a feature, an editorial and a press release.
GRADE BREAKDOWN:
Participation and Exercises
Content Reviews
Media Writing
News Story 1
News Story 2
Feature or Profile
Editorial or Review
Enterprise Story
300 Points
150 Points
50 Points
100 Points
100 Points
100 Points
200 Points
30%
15%
55%
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Course Schedule*
Date
Discussions and Learning
Monday, Aug. 27
Course Introduction & Syllabus
Review
Wednesday, Aug. 29
The Changing World of
Journalism
Review Ch. 1
Due: Attitude Survey
News Writing: Then & Now
Due: Exercise1
Observance of Labor Day
No Class Meeting
What Makes News
Review Chapter 2
CR 1
Friday, Sept. 31
Monday, Sept. 3
Wednesday, Sept. 5
Friday, Sept. 7
Monday, Sept. 10
Wednesday, Sept. 12
Friday, Sept. 14
Monday, Sept. 17
Wednesday, Sept. 19
Analyzing Layout
News Writing Basics
Creating Leads
Structuring Leads
Editing Your Work
AP News Style
Assignments & Readings
Review Pg. 296-299
Participation Activity
Review Pg. 36-41, 50-53
& 242-243
Participation Activity
Review Pg. 42-47
CR 2
Due: Exercise 2
Review Pg. 54-61
Participation Activity
Friday, Sept. 21
Writers’ Review
Due: News Story 1
Monday, Sept. 24
Taking Notes Effectively
Review Pg. 68-77
Wednesday, Sept. 26
Covering Meetings
Review Pg. 106-111 & 244-247
Due: Exercise 3
Friday, Sept. 28
Reporting Day
Monday, Oct. 1
Writers’ Reviews
Due: News Story 2
Wednesday, Oct. 3
Conducting Interviews
Friday, Oct. 5
Interviewing Effectively
Review Pg. 78-89
CR 3
Participation Activity
Monday, Oct. 8
Reading Day
No Class Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 10
Feature Stories
Review Pg. 116-123
CR 4
Friday, Oct. 12
Generating News
Review Pg. 68-75
Monday, Oct. 15
Analyzing Features
Review Pg. 222-223 & 258-265
Wednesday, Oct. 17
Using Language Effectively
Review Pg. 216-218
Media Writing |5
Friday, Oct. 19
Feature Review
Due: Exercise 4
Monday, Oct. 22
Profile Writing
Review Pg. 124-125, 266-271
Wednesday, Oct. 24
News Meetings & Editing
Due: Story Draft
Friday, Oct. 26
News Meetings & Editing
Monday, Oct. 29
Writers’ Review
Due: Feature or Profile Story
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Writing Editorials
Review Pg. 13-135, 282-285
Friday, Nov. 2
Writing Reviews
Review Pg. 136-137, 286-291
Monday, Nov. 5
Media Writing Ethics & Law
Wednesday, Nov. 7
Writing for Public Relations
Review Ch.7
CR 5
Review Ch. 10
Friday, Nov. 9
Writer’s Review
Due: Editorial or Review
Monday, Nov. 12
Observance of
Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, Nov. 14
Friday, Nov. 16
Writing for Online Media
Sources
Researching Online Media
Writing
No Class Meeting
CR 6
Due: Exercise 5
Review Pg. 126-133 & 272-281
Monday, Nov. 19
Enterprise Projects
Wednesday, Nov. 21
Generating Enterprise Projects
Friday, Nov. 23
Thanksgiving Holiday
No Class Meeting
Monday, Nov. 26
Broadcast Media Writing
Wednesday, Nov. 28
Best News Writer’s Review
Review Ch. 9
CR 7
Participation Activity
Friday, Nov. 30
Enterprise News Meetings
Monday, Dec. 3
Enterprise News Meetings
Wednesday, Dec. 5
Reports on Enterprise Projects
Friday, Dec. 7
Reports on Enterprise Projects
Monday, Dec. 10
Reports on Enterprise Projects
Due: Enterprise Projects &
Presentation
The final in this course is scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, 1:00p-3:00p.
*This class may be tailored to fit the level of experience of class members. Bold lettering indicates
important due dates and/or meeting locations.