August 16 Introduction; news writing
August 23 Summary leads; ch. 1, 2, 3, 4
August 30 Summary leads cont.; special leads; ch. 5
September 6 Story organization and development; ch. 6, 7
September 13 Quotations and attribution; ch. 8
September 20 Art of the interview; Features; ch. 10, 9
September 27 Feature writing cont.; ch. 9
October 4 Quiz on textbook; speeches, press conferences; ch. 15
FALL BREAK
October 18 Beat reporting; cops and courts, government,
politics; ch. 18, 19, 20, 21
October 25 Beat reporting cont.; campus cop station tour
November 1 Weather and disasters; ch. 16
November 8 Election Day coverage
November 15 Enterprise reporting; ch. 23; Libel law; ch. 25
November 22 Newsroom tour
November 29 Quiz on textbook; Last day for late papers
TEXT: “News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media” (6th Edition)
Attendance policy: You are expected to attend class and hand in assignments when they are due. Unexcused absences will lower your grade.
Late papers: They will lower your grade. Reporters have deadlines, and so do you.
Student Learning Goals
1. At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
2. Write clear, succinct and thorough newspaper stories, including spot or
breaking news, features, and in-depth, explanatory articles.
3. Collect and develop information by a mastery of reporting techniques and
the art of the interview.
4. Appreciate and understand the importance of a free, vigorous, and vigilant
press in a democratic society.
General Expectations
1. This is a 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 on- 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. Numerical grades will be given for these 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.