Fall Semester - 2002

English 219 W – 01W

Fundamentals of Newswriting

Instructor: Stan Swofford

Phone: 373.7351 (w) 273.1408 (h)

Email: sswofford@news-record.com

Class Site: Bryan 211

Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. - Tuesdays

August 20 Introduction; Newswriting

August 27 Summary Leads; ch. 1, 2, 3, 4

September 3 Summary Leads cont.; Special Leads

September 10 Story organization and development; ch. 5, 6, 7

September 17 Art of the Interview; ch. 9

September 24 Feature Writing; ch. 16, 8

October 1 Feature Writing; cont.

October 8 Speeches, Press Conferences, Releases; ch. 13, 14

FALL BREAK

October 22 Beat Reporting; Cops and Courts, Government

Politics; Ch. 18, 19, 20, 21

October 29 Beat Reporting cont.; campus cop station tour

November 5 Election Day Coverage

November 12 Weather & Disasters; Ch. 12, 15

November 19 Enterprise Reporting; Ch. 23

November 26 Newsroom Tour

December 3 First Amendment and the Press; Libel Law; ch. 25

December 17 Exam

TEXT: “News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media” (5^th Edition)

Grading System: Classwork: 75%

Exam: 25%

Attendance Policy: One absence is permitted, but you are expected to hand in written assignments if they are due. Additional unexcused absences will lower your grade.

Late Papers: They will lower your grade. Reporters have deadlines, and so do you.

English 219 W-01W

Fundamentals of Newswriting

Instructor: Stan Swofford

Student Learning Goals

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Write clear, succinct and thorough newspaper stories, including spot or breaking news, features, and in-depth, explanatory articles.

2. Collect and develop information by a mastery of reporting techniques and the art of the interview.

3. Appreciate and understand the importance of a free, vigorous, and vigilant press in a democratic society.

General Expectations:

1. This writing intensive course in which students will be required to write almost every class period as they learn how to identify, focus and build on the key elements of a story. You may be asked to write one- or two-paragraph “briefs,” and to produce in class a quick six-to eight-paragraph story about an on-campus mugging or a robbery of the local convenience store. You will be assigned more lengthy stories to report and write outside class. You may be asked to research and write on a local political race and/or to write a profile on a campus leader, professor or administrator. You’ll write about serious issues and lighthearted slices of life.

2. In addition to in-class assignments and stories outside class, you will be asked to write a major profile or in-depth issue oriented story that will require extensive background research and several interviews. You are expected to produce a first draft for my editing, comments and suggestions, and it will be returned for your revisions.

3. Numerical grades will be given for this and other writing assignments, and for occasional quizzes on lecture and textbook material. You will be graded on your mastery of various styles of news writing, such as the inverted pyramid and the narrative, and your ability to write clearly and succinctly with attention to detail. Your final grade will reflect the improvement in your writing and reporting.