Course Title: Produce Writings - Journalism
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2013
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 Fiona Scott-Norman
Email: fiona.scott-norman@rmit.edu.au
Teacher: Mr Matt Holden
Email: matt.holden@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 |
Element: |
2. Investigate the scope of the writing task |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 The level and scope of the writing task is analysed to determine the length and style of the work |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Class Content | Assignments due | Competency & Elements |
Week 1
|
Defining the relationship beteen nonfiction and journalism – . What do you read? What are your influences? |
VBP552 - Analyse purpose of writing task CUSRAD01A- Collect relevant information CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory |
|
Week 2 |
Literary nonfiction in the twentieth century - what is it’s place as as a form of journalism? | VBP552 - Investigate scope of writing task CUSRAD01A- Collect relevant information CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory CUVCOR03A – Develop concept |
|
Week 3 |
Contemporary nonfiction publishing: what’s out there? who’s publishing it? |
VBP552 –Investigate scope of writing task CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory CUVCOR03A – Develop & communicate concept |
|
Week 4 |
Choosing which voice: tone, style, language, impersonation |
VBP552 – Plan and create writing task CUSRAD01A- Collect information CUVCOR11A - Apply information on history and theory |
|
Week 5 |
Were do ideas come from? | Assessment 1 due | VBP552 -Realise writing task CUSRAD01A – Organise information CUVCOR011A – Apply information on history and theory |
Week 6 |
Researching your ideas | VBP552 –Investigate the scope of writing task CUVCOR01A – Communicate and refine concept CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory |
|
Week 7 |
The history of the essay as a form of journalism | CUVCOR011A – Apply information on history and theory |
|
Mid-semester break - April 1 to April 4 (inclusive) | |||
Week 8 |
The personal essay |
VBP552 –Investigate the scope & plan writing task CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory CUVCOR03A – Develop concept |
|
Week 9 |
Other essay sub-genres: cultural criticism, essays about place, etc. |
|
VBP552 Create writing task CUVCOR03A – Communicate concept |
Week 10 |
What editors want? (Guest lecturer) |
Assessment 2 due |
VBP552 - Create and realise writing task CUSRAD01A – Collect & organise information VBP552 - Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
Week 11 |
Ethics and legalities in nonfiction writing |
CUSRAD01A – Access and organise the information CUVCOR03A – Develop concept CUVCOR03A – Refine concept |
|
Week 12 |
Interview techniques | VBP552 – Plan and create writing task CUVCOR11A – Source and collect information on history and theory |
|
Week 13 |
What makes a good profile? Finding and choosing talent |
CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept |
|
Week 14 |
Researching and conducting interviews | VBP552 - Create & realise writing task CUSRAD03A – Communicate & refine concept VBP552 - Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
|
Week 15 |
Writing up profiles |
Assessment 3 due | VBP552 – nvestigate scope of writing task CUVCOR01A – Develop concept CUVCOR11A – Source and collect information on history and theory |
Week 16 |
Guest lecturer | VBP552 – Plan writing task CUVCOR03A – Develop concept |
|
Semester Break - June 10 to July 6 (inclusive) | |||
Semester 2 | |||
Week 1 |
Freelance journalism – what can you sell, what editors look for; different types articles | |
VBP552 – nvestigate scope of writing task CUVCOR03A – Develop and communicate concept |
Week 2 |
Finding your ‘angle’ Understanding the function of precedes and headlines. |
|
VBP552 - Plan, create and realise writing task CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory CUSRAD01A - Collect, assess and organise information VBP552 - Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
Week 3 |
Essential information and ordering in news journalism | VBP552 - Plan & create writing task CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept |
|
Week 4 |
Writing personal/reflective articles. Making the personal relevant - it’s not all about you! |
CUVCOR11A – Source & collect information on history and theory CUSRAD01A - Communicate information |
|
Week 5 |
Writing the regular personal column Discussion of assignment 2 specs. |
VBP552 –Plan writing task CUVCOR03A – Refine and communicate concept VBP552 - Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
|
Week 6 | Looking at opinion pieces; Ethos, logos and pathos – examination of persuasive techniques, brainstorming arguments | CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory |
|
Week 7 | Writing a book or film review: analysis of examples, discussion around style, length, function, markets and getting started | CUSRAD01A - Collect & assess information VBP552 - Investigate scope of writing task |
|
Week 8 | Workshopping pieces written for Assignment 2 Writing Seasonal/How-To/Formula informative articles | VBP552 - Analyse purpose of writing task VBP552 – Plan & create writing task |
|
Week 9 | Looking at examples of pitches and commissions; write pitch for Assignment 2 | VBP552 - Analyse purpose of writing task VBP552 – Plan & create writing task |
|
Week 10 | Writing to be read aloud - opportunities, techniques and pitfalls | CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory | |
Week 11 | Discussion of assignment 3 specs. Brainstorming ideas; refining ideas; how might they look on the page? | CUVCOR11A - Apply information on history and theory | |
September 23 to July 4 (inclusive) | |||
Week 12 | Finding, researching and focusing your story. Markets for publication. | CUVCOR03A – Communicate &refine concept |
|
Week 13 |
Developing a beat Workshop feature article assignment |
CUSRAD01A - Organise & communicate information CUVCOR03A – Communicate concept |
|
Week 14 | Questions, discussion and exercises around the application of media ethics. | CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept |
|
Week 15 | When writing the article is not quite enough | VBP552 – Create and realise the writing task CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept VBP552 - Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
|
Week 16 | Review and discussion around future opportunities | CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Prescribed material will be provided by the teacher. |
References
Hart, Jack, 2011 Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction, University of Chicago Press
Mark Kramer and Wendy Call (eds), 2007, Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers’ Guide, Plume (Penguin) |
|
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.
Newspapers, weekly supplements, literary journals and magazines in print and online
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
Assessment 1: Nonfiction book research paper (20%)
Choose and read a nonfiction book and write a report on it that examines intent, genre, antecedents, critical responses, market and audience.
Word length: 1000 words
Due: To be submitted in class on week beginning March 11
Assessment 2: Personal essay (35%)
Write a personal essay for a specific audience and market.
Word length: 1200 words
Due: To be submitted in class on week beginning April 22
Assessment 3: Profile (45%)
Write a profile for a specific audience and market.
Word length: 1500 words
Due: To be submitted in class on week beginning May 27
Semester 2
Assessment Task 1: 500 word news story (20%)
Write a 500-word news story using the pyramid technique. Using the same technique, re-write the finished story in 150 words. Both stories to be submitted in class on week beginning July 29
Assessment Task 2: 800 word article (35%)
Choose one of the following and write an 800 word article using the requisite conventions. Article to be submitted in class on week beginning September 2.
•Personal/reflective article
•Review
•Opinion piece
Assessment Task 3: 1200 feature article(45%)
Write a 1200 word feature informative article. Feature article to be submitted in class on week beginning October 28.
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
Course Overview: Access Course Overview