Course Title: Produce Writings - Journalism
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2012
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: Mr Peter Barrett
Phone: 9925 4951
Email: pete.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 |
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 |
Introductions, course outline, writing task | VBP552 - Analyse purpose of writing task CUSRAD01A- Collect relevant information CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory |
|
Week 2 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Autobiographical writing/personal columns/memoirs | VBP552 -Realise writing task CUSRAD01A – Organise information CUVCOR011A – Apply information on history and theory |
|
Week 6 |
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 |
Workshopping and peer review. | ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE - In class assessment – autobiographical writing/personal columns | CUVCOR011A – Apply information on history and theory |
Week 8 |
Writing Precedes. Examples and exercises. |
VBP552 –Investigate the scope & plan writing task CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory CUVCOR03A – Develop concept |
|
Week 9 |
Writing Headlines, Writing Precedes Pitching your work – Part 1 |
VBP552 Create writing task CUVCOR03A – Communicate concept |
|
Mid-semester break |
|||
Week 10 |
Workshopping and peer review. 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 VBP552 - Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
Week 11 |
Writing profiles – interviewing techniques Discuss Publications Research Task assignment |
CUSRAD01A – Access and organise the information CUVCOR03A – Develop concept CUVCOR03A – Refine concept |
|
Week 12 |
Writing profiles | VBP552 – Plan and create writing task CUVCOR11A – Source and collect information on history and theory |
|
Week 13 |
Workshopping draft profiles |
CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept |
|
Week 14 |
Workshopping and peer review. | ASSIGNMENT 3 DUE – Profile – in class assessment | VBP552 - Create & realise writing task CUSRAD03A – Communicate & refine concept VBP552 - Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
Week 15 |
Persuasive writing - Opinion pieces |
VBP552 – nvestigate scope of writing task CUVCOR01A – Develop concept CUVCOR11A – Source and collect information on history and theory |
|
Week 16 |
Persuasive writing - Opinion pieces | VBP552 – Plan writing task CUVCOR03A – Develop concept |
|
Semester 2 | |||
Week 1 |
Workshopping opinion pieces | |
VBP552 – nvestigate scope of writing task CUVCOR03A – Develop and communicate concept |
Week 2 |
Researching and Writing Reviews | ASSIGNMENT 4 DUE – Publications Research Task – submit BY EMAIL by 9:00 am on day of class |
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 |
Researching and Writing Reviews | VBP552 - Plan & create writing task CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept |
|
Week 4 |
Workshop draft reviews/op pieces | CUVCOR11A – Source & collect information on history and theory CUSRAD01A - Communicate information |
|
Week 5 | Workshopping and peer review. | ASSIGNMENT 5 DUE – Opinion piece OR Review – in class assessment | VBP552 –Plan writing task CUVCOR03A – Refine and communicate concept VBP552 - Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
Week 6 | Media Ethics | CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory |
|
Week 7 | Writing Informative Feature articles Research – where do you find out…? |
CUSRAD01A - Collect & assess information VBP552 - Investigate scope of writing task |
|
Week 8 | Writing Seasonal/How-To/Formula informative articles | VBP552 - Analyse purpose of writing task VBP552 – Plan & create writing task |
|
Week 9 | Travel Writing | VBP552 - Analyse purpose of writing task VBP552 – Plan & create writing task |
|
Week 10 | Online journalism | CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory | |
Week 11 | Online journalism | CUVCOR11A - Apply information on history and theory | |
Week 12 | One-on-one meetings with teacher | CUVCOR03A – Communicate &refine concept |
|
Mid-semester Break 24 Sep - 5 Oct (inclusive) |
|||
Week 13 | Pitching your work – part 2 Angles - revision |
CUSRAD01A - Organise & communicate information CUVCOR03A – Communicate concept |
|
Week 14 | Workshopping informative articles | CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept |
|
Week 15 | Workshopping and peer review | ASSIGNMENT 6 DUE – Informative article – in class assessment | VBP552 – Create and realise the writing task CUVCOR03A – Communicate and refine concept VBP552 - Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
Week 16 | Guest speaker (final class) Course feedback |
CUVCOR11A - Collect information on history and theory |
|
Week 17 | Assessment Week - no classes |
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%) Due March 20
2. A precede (20 - 25 words: to be completed in class) (5%) Due April 17
3. A profile of an interesting person, targeted at specific publication (1000 words) (25%) Due May 15
Semester 2
4. A publications research task (5% - shared resource) Due July 10
5. A review (650 words) OR opinion piece (800 words), targeted at specific publication (20%) Due July 31
6. A feature informative article, targeted at specific publication (1200 words) (25%) Due October 23
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
Submission of Assessment Tasks
You are required to submit all assessment tasks with a completed School of Media and Communication cover sheet. You are expected to keep a copy of all assignments submitted.
Late Submissions
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension before that due date.
Please refer to the course blackboard site for information on late submissions and on applying for an extension.
Feedback
You will receive both spoken and written feedback on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is about the honest presentation of your academic work. Presenting work that fails to acknowledge other people’s work within yours can compromise academic integrity. For further information on academic integrity and plagiarism, please refer to the following URL. http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kkc202lwe1yv
Special Consideration Policy
Please refer to the following URL for information on applying for special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1
20Syers;SECTION=1;
Course Overview: Access Course Overview