Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Journalism

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: COMM5408

Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Journalism

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5181 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact : Professional Writing and Editing Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368

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

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

This course is taught by a number of specialist teachers and coordinated by Penny Johnson.    

Coordinator: Penny Johnson
Phone: 9925 4383
Email: penny.johnson@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 85

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 Refine Writing and Editing – Journalism is delivered and assessed along with the following competencies.

• CUVCOR04A - Originate concept for own work and conduct critical discourse
• CUVCOR13A - Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform artistic practice
• CUECOR01B - Manage own work and learning
• CUSADM03A - Manage a project
• CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
• CUSRAD02A - Conduct Research

Through the development of these competencies, you gain the skills needed to manage your work and learning while responding to a range of project briefs. You research the work of other writers and publishers and apply your findings to your own writing through the development of a concept into a written work or a publishing project.

Course Description

This unit covers the knowledge and skills required to research and experiment with writing and editing techniques and media to generate writings. It focuses on a number of distinct writing areas including travel writing, literary non-fiction, feature writing, online writing and writing for radio. It also provides insights and practical skills applicable to the writing life of the freelancer 

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Journalism
Element:	1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media
Performance Criteria:	1.1 The potential for new approaches to writing based on the capabilities of techniques already used are evaluated 1.2 New techniques are selected, adapted and introduced for the achievement of different effects 1.3 The capabilities of writing techniques are extended through experimentation to inform practice 1.4 Relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners are researched, adapted and used with consideration of intellectual property, moral rights and copyright requirements
Element:	2. Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
Performance Criteria:	2.1 A conceptual vision for writings are developed based on a knowledge and understanding of different writing techniques 2.2 The criteria for selecting techniques are considered based on results of experimentation 2.3 The criteria which are most likely to facilitate the achievement of the conceptual vision are established 2.4 The approach to work which meets established criteria is selected 2.5 The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experimentation and analysis of writing techniques
Element:	3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work
Performance Criteria:	3.1 The specific resource requirements which arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches are assessed 3.2 Potential sources of supply of writing resources are researched and accessed 3.3 Constraints that may impact on the development of work are evaluated
Element:	4. Plan the writing
Performance Criteria:	4.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work and to meet agreed timelines 4.2 Ideas are organised and developed into an ordered sequence of scenes 4.3 All resources required to deliver the writing task are organised 4.4 A timeline for the completion of the writing task that reflects the critical milestones is determined
Element:	5. Realise writings
Performance Criteria:	5.1 Writings are realised using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision 5.2 The potential for changes in the use of techniques are evaluated and responded to 5.3 The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experiences with the production of writings 5.4 Issues of design and presentation of writings are considered and appropriate actions taken

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to write for a range of publications and media.

Details of Learning Activities

In this course you learn through-

1. 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
 
2. Out-of-class activities:
• independent project based work
• writing and reading assignments
• online and other research
• independent study

Teaching Schedule

Date	Class Content	Assessment    Due	Competency and Elements
Semester 1
Wk1	Introduction to the course Explanation of the year’s work and assessment Digital journalism Reading online: what, how, why		VBP553 - 3 CUVDES05A - 1 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1 CUSRAD02A - 1 CUSADM03A - 1 CUECOR01B - 1
Wk 2	Digital journalism Writing for online: basics
Wk 3	Digital journalism Blogs and blogging
Wk 4	Digital journalism Social media and more ...
Wk 5	Advanced feature articles Come to class with three story ideas and a few possible target mags for these stories – a profile? an essay? a how-to? a humour piece? We’ll work both ideas into pitches, focusing on what makes ideas stronger, better suited to the reader/editor.	Assessment 1 Digital journalism assignment due	VBP553 - 1/2 CUVDES05A - 1/2 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 1/2 CUECOR01B - 1
Wk 6	Advanced feature articles Researching the successful story idea. Where to start? What to add? What to omit? Which speakers to include? Lining up interviews Brainstorming and resource pooling		VBP553 - 1/2 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 2/3 CUSRAD02A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 2/3 CUECOR01B -  2
Wk 7	Advanced feature articles Dealing with transcripts, dovetailing data into storytelling, going that extra mile to distinguish your work.		VBP553 - 4/5 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A - 3 CUSRAD02A - 4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -  3
Wk 8	Advanced feature articles Creating a master sheet and copy plan. Structure? Sidebars? Best ways to start and end a feature. Engaging the readers, and holding their attention. The main idea and the best angles.		VBP553 - 4/5 CUVCOR 13A - 3 CUSRAD02A - 4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -  3
	Mid-semester break Thursday 5 April - Wednesday 11 April
Wk 9	Advanced feature articles First draft, with workshops and support reading How to enliven and improve the copy Dealing with problem areas Micro and macro changes Style		VBP553 - 5 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A - 3
Wk 10	Advanced feature articles Spit, polish, and voila: your feature, ready for the world Celebration of features in general – the best of here and OS Market opportunities	Assessment 2 Feature article due	VBP553 - 5 CUSADM03A - 4
Wk 11	Writing for radio/advanced interviewing Why we listen to radio/podcasts/audio streaming Different script formats required for different types of programs/interviews Finding good ‘talent’ Workshop ideas for interviews		CUVDES05A - 1 CUVCOR 13A - 1-3 CUSRAD02A - 1 CUSADM03A - 1
Wk 12	Writing for radio/advanced interviewing How to script for radio/podcasts, e.g. forward announce,back announce, questions etc. What are teh different roles/jobs in radio (producer, presenter etc.) Different styles of interviews required for different styles of program Targetting your audience		VBP553 - 1 CUVDES05A - 1 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1
Wk 13	Writing for radio/advanced interviewing Structuring interviews Writing promos, forward and back announces Examining scripts from actual radio programs		VBP553 - 2 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR05A - 3 CUVCOR04A - 1 CUECOR01B - 3
Wk 14	Writing for radio/advanced interviewing Writing voice-pieces, complex radio packages		VBP553 - 3/4 CUSRAD02A - 2 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 3
Wk 15	Writing for radio/advanced interviewing: Scripting Q/A’s, radio reviews		VBP553 - 3/4 CUECOR01B - 1 CUSADM03A - 3
Wk 16	Writing for radio/advanced interviewing Hand in Assignment. Listening back to interviews – feedback session – IN CLASS ASSESSMENT.	Assessment 3 Writing for Radio assignment due	VBP553 - 2 CUSADM03A -2 CUECOR01B - 1
Wk 17	Assessment Week - no classes
	Semester break 11 June - 29 June
Semester 2
Wk 1	Introduction to immersion writing Setting up for final assignment		CUVDES05A - 1 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1 CUSRAD02A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 1 CUECOR01B -1
Wk 2	Writer and research Researching techniques Workshopping ideas		CUSRAD02A - 1-4
Wk 3	Literary journalism Introduction to Literary journalism Writing exercise		VBP553 - 2 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1/2 CUSRAD02A - 1-3 CUSADM03A - 1/2 CUECOR01B -  1-3
Wk 4	Literary journalism Building on the literary journalistic form: character and place		VBP553 - 2/3 CUVCOR 13A - 2/3 CUVCOR04A - 2/3 CUSADM03A - 3
Wk 5	Literary journalism Telling non-fiction stories Writers as chroniclers/storytellers The personal story: the universal message Workshopping ideas		VBP553 - 2/4 CUVCOR 13A - 2/3 CUVCOR04A - 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3
Wk 6	Literary journalism Ethical and legal issues Brainstorming Professional approach Workshop story ideas		VBP553 - 4/5 CUVCOR 13A - 2/3 CUVCOR04A - 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUSRAD02A - 3-5
Wk 7	Literary journalism Greater texture – making your literary journalism sing Workshopping as required	Assessment 4 Literary journalism piece due	VBP553 - 55CUECOR01B - 3 CUVCOR 13A - 2 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B -  3
Wk 8	Food and travel writing Introduction to the course Explanation of the semester’s work and assessment Brainstorming assessment ideas Types of food and travel writing		CUECOR01B - 3 CUVCOR 13A - 2 CUSADM03A - 4
Wk 9	Food and travel writing Angles and pitches Writing a short feature Worshopping assessment ideas		CUECOR01B - 3 CUVCOR 13A - 2 CUSADM03A - 4
Wk 10	Food and travel writing Restaurant reviews Guidebook reviews Workshopping assessment drafts Writing exercise		VBP553 - 1/2/4 CUVCOR13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1/2 CUVDES05A - 1
Wk 11	Food and travel writing Writing exercise		VBP553 - 1/2/4 CUVCOR13A - 2 CUVCOR04A - 3 CUVDES05A - 2/3
Wk 12	Food and travel writing Peer review Course wrap-up	Assessment 5 Food and travel writing assignment due	VBP553 - 1/5 CUVCOR13A - 3/4 CUVCOR04A - 4 CUECOR01B -  3
	Mid-semester break 24 September - 5 October
Wk 13	Immersion writing Workshopping		CUVCOR 13A - 2/3
Wk 14	Immersion writing Workshopping		CUVCOR13A - 2/3 CUSADM03A - 3/4
Wk 15	Writing your passion Marketing yourself as a freelance journalist  <style type="text/css"> @font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }@font-face { font-family: "Calibri"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }</style>	Assessment 6 Immersion piece due	CUVCOR 13A - 2/3 VBP553 - 5 CUSADM03A - 4 CUVDES05A - 2/3
Wk 16	Pitching to newspaper/magazine editor		VBP553 - 5 CUSADM03A - 4
Wk 17	Assessment Week - no classes

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Any prescribed reading material is provided in class

References

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 and understanding 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. For each assessment you will receive a handout outlining the requirements and the criteria by which you will be assessed. You will receive feedback on all assessment tasks. 

Semester 1

Assessment 1 Digital journalism assignment (10%)
Due 8 March

Assessment 2 Feature article (20%)
Due 19 April

Assessment 3 Writing for radio assignment (20%)
Due 31 May

Semester 2

Assignment 4 Literary journalism piece (20%)
Due 16 August

Assignment 5 Food and travel writing assignment (10%)
Due 20 September

Assignment 6 Immersion piece (20%)
Due 25 October

Grades used in this course are as follows:

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

For further details on these assessment tasks and the grading system and criteria used, 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 in hard copy 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

Course Overview: Access Course Overview