Course Title: Produce Writings - Journalism

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

Course Code: COMM5400

Course Title: Produce Writings - Journalism

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4171 - Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact : Program Administration Brendan Lee

Course Contact Phone: Brendan Lee 9925 4368

Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Ms Sian Prior
Phone: 9925 4951
Email: sian.prior@rmit.edu.au

Teacher: Mr Peter Barrett
Phone: 9925 4951
Email: peter.barrett@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 105

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

At RMIT, the competency Produce Writings –Journalism is delivered and assessed alongside the following competencies:
CUVCOR03A: Develop, refine and communicate concept for own work
CUVCOR11A: Source information on history and theory and apply to own work
CUSRAD01A: collect and organise information

Course Description

This course looks at the skills and knowledge required for working as a freelance print journalist as you plan, draft, edit and pitch your written articles.
The course helps you to cultivate a critical awareness of appropriate language, style, and word length for a range of media publications. You discuss contemporary issues in the media and analyse a broad range of material from various publications


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBP552 Produce Writings - Journalism

Element:

1. Analyse the purpose of the writing task

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The purpose of the work is confirmed with relevant parties
1.2 The form, media and technique most appropriate to the purpose of the writing task is selected
1.3 The stylistic and cultural context of the writing task is proposed to meet the writing objective

Element:

2. Investigate the scope of the writing task

Performance Criteria:


criteria 2.1 The level and scope of the writing task is analysed to determine the length and style of the work
2.2 The level of research required to fulfil the agreed outcome to the required style and standard is analysed
2.3 The resources necessary to retrieve or generate the relevant information is determined
2.4 The type and level of information required to suit the context of the writing task is planned

Element:

3. Plan the writing task

Performance Criteria:

3.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work
3.2 Ideas are organised and developed into an ordered sequence
3.3 All resources required to deliver the writing task are organised
3.4 A timeline for the completion of the writing task that reflects the critical milestones is determined

Element:

4. Create the writing task

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Components of the information required and the form in which the writing will be developed, constructed and presented is resolved
4.2 The intention of the writing task and the characteristics of the audience are reflected in the writing
4.3 Appropriate processes and research are utilised to retrieve the necessary information
4.4 The particular characteristics of the media are analysed to inform the writing in a way that is appropriate for the purpose of the writing
4.5 Relevant information sources are employed to generate and inform the writing task
4.5 Common literary devices and the metaphoric function of language are integrated into the writing task
4.6 Writing task is produced in accordance with writing goals

Element:

5. Realise the writing task

Performance Criteria:

5.1 The writing task is appropriate for the media, the context of the brief and the style of the subject matter
5.2 The language in which the writing task is written is suitable for the intended audience
5.3 The writing task is proofed and edited to the standard required for presentation
5.4 A draft is presented, if required, to the client to confirm that the work is acceptable
5.5 Work is adjusted as required and presented in the agreed manner and timeframe


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to plan, draft, edit and pitch articles for a range of publications.


    Details of Learning Activities

    In this course you learn through -

    In-class activities:
    • lectures
    • industry speakers
    • teacher directed group activities/projects
    • peer teaching and class presentations
    • group discussion
    • class exercises to review discussions/lectures
    • reading of excerpts of writings and set texts to provide examples of writing elements
    • workshopping of students’ own projects
    • analysis/critique of writings of students’ choice

    Out-of-class activities:
    • independent project based work
    • writing and reading assignments
    • online and other research
    • independent study


    Teaching Schedule

    Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

    Week Beginning Class Content Assignments due Competency & Elements
    Week 1
    7 Feb    		 Introductions, course outline, writing task   VBP552 - Analyse purpose of writing task
    CUSRAD01A- Collect relevant information
    CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory
    Week 2
    14 Feb    		  Basics of Freelance Journalism
    Writing Precedes.
    Examples and exercises.    		    VBP552 - Investigate scope of writing task
    CUSRAD01A- Collect relevant information
    CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory
    CUVCOR03A – Develop concept
     Week 3
    21 Feb    		  Autobiographical writing/personal columns/memoirs
    (GUEST TEACHER)
    		    VBP552 –Investigate scope of writing task
    CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory
    CUVCOR03A – Develop & communicate concept
     Week 4
    28 Feb    		  Themed personal columns/autobiographical writing
    Basics of good journalism
    		    VBP552 – Plan and create writing task
    CUSRAD01A- Collect information
    CUVCOR11A - Apply information on history and theory
     Week 5
    7 Mar    		  Autobiographical writing/personal columns/memoirs     VBP552 -Realise writing task
    CUSRAD01A – Organise information
    CUVCOR011A – Apply information on history and theory
     Week 6
    14 Mar    		  First workshop – draft autobiographical writing/personal columns (GUEST TEACHER)    VBP552 –Investigate the scope of writing task
    CUVCOR01A – Communicate and refine concept
    CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory
     Week 7
    21 Mar    		  Workshopping and offering written feedback. ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE - In class assessment – autobiographical writing/personal columns  
    CUVCOR01A – Develop & communicate concept 
     Week 8
    28 Mar    		  Writing Precedes.
    Examples and exercises.
    		    VBP552 –Investigate the scope & plan writing task
    CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory
    CUVCOR03A – Develop concept
     Week 9
    4 Apr    		 Writing Headlines, Writing Precedes
    Pitching your work – Part 1
    		 VBP552 Create writing task
    CUVCOR03A – Communicate concept
     Week 10
    11 Apr    		  
    Workshopping and offering written feedback.

    Writing Profiles – choosing a subject – using interviews for articles
    		 ASSIGNMENT 2 DUE – Write a precede – to be completed in class under test conditions
    		  VBP552 - Create and realise writing task
    CUSRAD01A – Collect & organise information

     Week 11
    18 Apr    		  Writing profiles – interviewing techniques

    Discuss Publications Research Task assignment
    		   CUSRAD01A – Access and organise the information
    CUVCOR03A – Develop concept
    CUVCOR03A – Refine concept
      Mid-semester break    
     Week 12
    2 May    		  Writing profiles    VBP552 – Plan and create writing task
    CUVCOR11A – Source and collect information on history and theory
     Week 13
    9 May    		  Workshopping draft profiles  
    CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept
     Week 14
    16 May    		  Workshopping and offering written feedback.  ASSIGNMENT 3 DUE – Profile – to be completed in class  VBP552 - Create & realise writing task
    CUSRAD03A – Communicate & refine concept

     Week 15
    23 May    		  Persuasive writing - Opinion pieces

    		   VBP552 – nvestigate scope of writing task
    CUVCOR01A – Develop concept
    CUVCOR11A – Source and collect information on history and theory
     Week 16
    30 May    		  Persuasive writing - Opinion pieces    VBP552 – Plan writing task
     CUVCOR03A – Develop concept
     Week 17
    6 June    		  Assessment Week - No Class
    		 ASSIGNMENT 4 DUE – Publications Research Task – submit BY EMAIL by 9:00 am on day of class
    		  
       Semester 2    
     Week 1
    4 July    		  Workshopping opinion pieces  
         		  VBP552 – nvestigate scope of writing task
    CUVCOR03A – Develop and communicate concept
     Week 2
    11 July    		  Researching and Writing Reviews    VBP552 - Plan, create and realise  writing task
    CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory
    CUSRAD01A - Collect, assess and organise information
     Week 3
    18 July    		  Researching and Writing Reviews    VBP552 - Plan & create writing task
    CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept
     Week 4
    25 July    		  Workshop draft reviews/op pieces    CUVCOR11A – Source & collect information on history and theory
    CUSRAD01A - Communicate information
     Week 5
    1 Aug    		  Workshopping and offering written feedback.  ASSIGNMENT 5 DUE – Op piece OR Review – in class assessment   VBP552 –Plan  writing task
    CUVCOR03A – Refine and communicate concept
     Week 6
    8 Aug    		  Media Ethics    
    CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory

     Week 7
    15 Aug    		  Writing Informative Feature articles
    Research – where do you find out…?    		    CUSRAD01A - Collect & assess information
    VBP552 - Investigate scope of writing task
    Week 8
    22 Aug    		  Writing Seasonal/How-To/Formula informative articles    VBP552 - Analyse purpose of writing task
    VBP552 – Plan & create writing task
     Week 9
    29 Aug    		  Travel Writing     VBP552 - Analyse purpose of writing task
    VBP552 – Plan & create writing task
     Week 10
    5 Sep    		  Online journalism    CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory
     Week 11
    12 Sep    		  Online journalism    CUVCOR11A - Apply information on history and theory
     Week 12
    19 Sep    		  One-on-one meetings with teacher    
    CUVCOR03A – Communicate &refine concept
      Mid-semester Break
    26 Sep - 7 Oct (inclusive)    		    
     Week 13
    10 Oct    		  Pitching your work – part 2
    Angles - revision
    		   CUSRAD01A - Organise & communicate information
    CUVCOR03A – Communicate concept
     Week 14
    17 Oct    		  Workshopping informative articles    
    CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept
     Week 15
    24 Oct    		  Workshopping and offering written feedback
    		  ASSIGNMENT 6 DUE – Informative article – in class assessment  VBP552 – Create and realise the writing task
    CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept
     Week 16
    31 Oct    		  Guest speaker (final class)
    Course feedback    		    CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory
     Week 17  Assessment Week - no class
    		    


    Learning Resources

    Prescribed Texts

    Prescribed material will be provided by the teacher.


    References

    Power Prose: Writing Skills for the Media Age. Melbourne: Hardie Grant Books, 2004.

    You are advised to look at the course blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


    Other Resources

    You require access to a computer and to the internet for this course


    Overview of Assessment

    Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.


    Assessment Tasks

    To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.

    Semester 1
    1. A personal/autobiographical column, targeted at specific publication (800 words) (20%)
    2. A precede (20 - 25 words: to be completed in class) (20%)
    3. A profile of an interesting person, targeted at specific publication (1200 words) (20%)
    4. A publications research task (shared resource - ungraded)

    Semester 1
    5. A review (650 words) OR opinion piece (800 words), targeted at specific publication (20%)
    6. A feature informative article, targeted at specific publication (1200 words) (20%)

    Detailed briefs for each assignment will be provided to you in class and on blackboard, including industry-specific criteria such as: clarity and appropriateness of angle, clear audience targeting, etc. Your participation in the drafting and class workshopping process will be considered in assessment of assignments.



    Assessment tasks in this unit are graded.
    To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.


    80 – 100% HD High Distinction
    70 – 79% DI Distinction
    60 – 69% CR Credit
    50 – 59% PA Pass
    Under 50% NN Fail

    For further information on the criteria used for grading, please refer to the course blackboard site.


    Assessment Matrix

    The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant
    Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program
    administration

    Other Information

    Feedback:
    You will receive spoken and/or written feedback from your  teacher on your work. Whre appropriate, this feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

    Late Submissions
    Please refer to the course blackboard site for policy information on late submissions and plagiarism

    Plagiarism
    RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

    Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
    All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are
    unable to complete any piece of assessment on or by the due date, you will need to
    apply for an extension.
    Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
    http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%
    20Syers;SECTION=1;

    Course Overview: Access Course Overview