Mass Communication 251
News Writing
Fall 2005 – 2T
(106 Talbot)
Nicki Boudreaux, M.S.
Office: 100-B Talbot
Phone: (985) 493-2537
Email: nicki.boudreaux@nicholls.edu
Office hours: M-W-F 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 12-12:30 p.m. (M-W).; T-Th 12:30-3 p.m.; and by appointment
1. Course description: Researching, gathering and writing news for newspapers; practice in writing news, with emphasis on accuracy, brevity, clarity. Since this course is the cornerstone of the print sequence, it has great importance. It must serve as an introductory writing course as well as a course that emphasizes reporting values. This includes learning how to report, not just how to write.
2. Course prerequisites: Completion of freshman English (101, 102) and typing skills. Note: This course demands computer literacy. If you do not type or you are not able to use a computer, you should immediately withdraw from the course since all assignments will be done on Macintosh computers.
3. Course objectives: To introduce the student to the field of journalism and to stress news writing skills, and research techniques. Essential subject areas to be discussed include ethics, investigative reporting, advocacy journalism, coverage, or lack thereof, of minority issues, and the changing newspaper industry. Discussion will include issues that affect both journalism and society as a whole. These include a wide range of environmental issues, minority issues, and the changing social fabric of American society.
4. Required Text: Fedler, Fred, et.al. Reporting for the Media. Eighth Ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. Note: It is the studentÕs responsibility to use the supplemental text to perfect the skills discussed in each chapter since the supplemental text will be used sparingly in class.
5. Other texts: AP Stylebook (Associated Press) and the miniature AP Stylebook (provided by the instructor).
6. Course Requirements:
¬ Class Procedure and Student Participation: Class time will be composed of lecture, class discussion, and exercises (both in-class and out-of-class). Participation is required.
¬ Attendance: Attendance and punctuality are expected at all class meetings. Because this is a laboratory class, much of the work is done during class time. Attendance, therefore, is necessary to receive a passing grade.
While the University allows three absences without grade repercussions, students with more than three unexcused absences will suffer a letter grade drop off the final grade with EACH unexcused absence. Students marked absent because they are tardy are responsible for contacting the professor at the end of that class period so that the correction can be made. This is the only time a student can expect to have an absence erased from his/her record. In addition, tardiness is a disservice to you and your classmates. Absence (excused or unexcused) does not excuse students from assignments due at the missed class. Make-ups will be allowed only when the instructor or appropriate University office excuses absences. It is the responsibility of the student to approach the instructor about make-ups for a mutually agreed upon appointment no later than one week after the missed class.
¬ Readings: Students are expected to read all assigned materials prior to each class period. Reading prior to class is essential. An unannounced quiz on reading materials may take place at any class period.
¬ Blackboard: This course uses Blackboard software. You are required to check the Blackboard site for this class at least every other day. You are responsible for all materials posted to the Blackboard site.
¬ News Consumption:
1. Read any two newspapers weekly, in addition to The Nicholls Worth
2. Watch or listen to national broadcast news programs at least three times a week
3. Watch or listen to local public affairs programs at least twice a week
7. Academic Honesty: Plagiarism and other forms of dishonesty will be dealt with severely, the minimum penalty being failure of the course.
8. Thoroughness: Students must complete all the work (i.e. tests, projects, presentations, papers, productions, writing assignments, etc.) required for the course. Completion of all required work does not guarantee a passing grade. Failure to complete any required work will result in a grade of F in the course.
9. Exams, Assignments and Expectations:
¬ Exams: There will a mid-term exam only. It will cover the basic fundamentals of news writing and AP Style. Note: Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. In most cases, if not all, they will be in essay form.
¬ Assignments/class discussion/participation: Students will be required to participate in both in-class and out-of-class writing assignments, which will constitute the bulk of the grade in the course. Students may be given the opportunity to revise writing assignments for the instructor to consider grade improvement. Students must be present for in-class assignments to participate unless an absence is excused by the instructor. Participation in an assignment does not guarantee a passing grade. Work must be thorough, complete, professional and of the highest quality in order to receive an adequate grade.
Note: Although no set formula can be outlined as to precise grading procedure in a writing course, there are certain points that will be emphasized in the evaluation of the articles. They are:
1. the lead (beginning)
2. story organization
3. quality of the writing (including sentence structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation)
4. accuracy
5. clarity
6. editing/rewriting
7. AP style
These seven elements are not listed in order of importance but should be used as a reference point by the student when he/she is about to turn in an article. (It goes without saying that spelling is crucial in any writing course, particularly when a dictionary and spell-check are available.)
Make-up assignments: Any missed assignments resulting from excused absences must be turned in at the beginning of the next class session. Remember, it is the student's responsibility (1) to be present and (2) whenever possible, to contact the professor prior to an assignment if he/she is going to be absent.
Note: It is important that the student understand that in large part the course grade will be derived from the writing assignments, the number of which will vary according to class progress. Although all writing assignments will be evaluated, every assignment will not be graded.
Note: Most of the stories will be written in class. Out-of-class assignments will always be on deadline. A missed deadline means a grade of zero. No excuses.
¬ Style Quizzes: Students will take quizzes on AP Style. Quizzes will continue throughout the semester until the instructor feels the students have grasped the concepts.
¬ Reading and Class Participation: Students are expected to turn in all assignments, to read the outside readings and book chapters, and to be aware of current developments in the field so that they can coherently discuss issues in class. Class participation is crucial and can affect a studentÕs final grade.
10. Grading:. All grading is on a 10 point scale and will be calculated as follows:
. Writing Assignments: 80%
. Mid-Term Exam: 10%
. Style Quizzes: 10%
Note: Since this is a performance/lab course that combines knowledge, common sense, and most importantly, learned skills, improvement will be taken into consideration
11. Requirements: Students must complete all work on time. Late assignments will NOT be accepted unless the student provides an excuse that is approved by the instructor and the appropriate university office.
12. Etiquette/Class Conduct:
¬ Cell Phones: All cellular telephones, beepers and other noise-making, disrupting devices must be silenced during class. NO ONE should answer a cell phone during class! If a disruption occurs, the instructor reserves the right to answer the call or to instruct the student to leave the class. Additionally, a student caught text messaging will be asked to leave. A student would be wise to keep his cell phone out of sight during class time as to reduce temptation. Students may be penalized for disruption and must receive permission from the instructor to return to the class. These devices will be allowed only for emergency purposes and the student must receive prior permission from the instructor.
¬ Visitors: No children or other visitors will be allowed in class due to University liability policies.
¬ Computer Usage: Students are not allowed to use the computers for personal or other course work during class. Any student caught using the Internet, checking e-mail, or working on anything other than what has been assigned by the instructor will be counted as absent for the day and may be asked to leave. Please be reminded that students who are absent (unexcused) are not allowed to complete assignments given that day. Additionally, students with more than three unexcused absences start losing letter grades with additional absences.
¬ Lab Policies: Students are required to follow all policies and procedures set forth by the Mass Communication department regarding usage of the computer lab.
13. Portfolios: A portfolio is required of every mass communication student. The student's portfolio will be presented and graded in the capstone course of the student's emphasis. Further details on the portfolio may be found in the MACO Student Handbook. All work in MACO courses should be corrected and archived on disk and in hard copy for possible inclusion in the portfolio.
14. Disability Services: Any student that has a documented disability that requires assistance needs to register with the Office of Disability Services for coordination of your academic accommodations. The Office of Disability Services is located in Peltier Hall, Room 100-A. The phone number is (985) 448-4430 (TDD 449-7002)
15. Course Organization
I. Reporters, newspapers and society
A. The function of journalism
1. What is news?
II. Modern news style
A. News style versus other writing forms
1. Sentence and paragraph length
2. Sentence structure
3. Active voice and passive voice
4. Third person
5. Precise writing
6. Editing symbols
III. Lead writing
A. Inverted pyramid
1. news values
2. news peg
3. news angle
4. five w's and an h
5. some pitfalls of lead writing
IV. Body of the story
A. Quotation
1. attribution, identification and background
B. Transitional devices
1. story unity
C. Single and multiple incident leads
D. Equal parts development (block development)
E. Chronological development
F. Suspended interest
V. Editing, rewriting, follow-up and slanting
VI. Various story types
A. Breaking news, crime action stories
B. Public/governmental events
1. meetings, news conferences, speeches
C. Interviewing
Note: For the most part, stories will generally be written for three journals and for three distinct audiences. Many of the stories will originate from the imaginary Louisiana town of Gastonville Platte, a Cajun paradise with a population of 15,000. The newspaper is the Gastonville Platte Gazette. Other stories will be written for the school newspaper. Still others will be written for the New Orleans Times Picayune, the Daily Comet, or the Houma Courier.
[The reason for writing for various journals is that the student will have to construct articles for three different audiences. The purpose for this is simple: unless the writer communicates to his particular audience, it does not matter what is written.]
This brief outline is meant to serve as no more than a sketch of what will be covered and is not intended to be a road map from which there is no variance. Throughout the course, the students will build upon both their knowledge and their writing skills. They will also discuss story organization, news values, diversity and ethics. There will be but one constant: the students will write throughout the course. At the beginning, in the middle, at the end.
Students are expected to read and know 8 chapters. They are chapters 2-8 and 12. Some of this material will be covered in lecture. It is the studentÕs responsibility to read and understand all material not covered in lecture.
Week 1 (Aug. 23, 25)
Week 2 (Aug. 30, Sept. 1)
Week 3 (Sept. 6, 8)
Week 4 (Sept. 13, 15)
Week 5 (Sept. 20, 22)
Week 6 (Sept. 27, 29)
Week 7 (Oct. 4, 6)
Week 8 (Oct. 11)
Week 9 (Oct. 18, 20)
Week 10 (Oct. 25, 27)
Week 11 (Nov. 1, 3)
Week 12 (Nov. 8, 10)
Week 13 (Nov. 15, 17)
Week 14 (Nov. 22, 24)
Week 15 (Nov. 29, Dec. 1)
Bibliography
Research is at the core of in-depth reporting. It is imperative that the student becomes familiar with resource materials available in the library. Students will use both primary and secondary sources.
Important readings include: Doing Ethics in Journalism: A Handbook With Case Studies by Jay Black, Bob Steele and Ralph Barney, The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White, Mastering the Message by Lauren Kessler and Duncan McDonald, Language Skills for Journalists by R. Thomas Berner, Beyond the Inverted Pyramid by George Kennedy, Daryl Moen and Don Ranly, Better Paragraphs by John Ostrom and William Cook, and The ReporterÕs Handbook by John Ullmann and Jan Colbert.