WR 230 Jon Bouknight
Fall 2002, CRN 40602 TR 3-4:40; LIB 117
News Writing
4 credits
Course Description:
Introduction to the basic forms of news writing for the print media with extensive practice in both writing and editing under deadline pressure. Legal and ethical issues are also discussed. This course is a Discourse Studies Course for students pursuing the Eastern Oregon Multidisciplinary Studies degree through the University Center but is open to COCC students: Prerequisite: Computer Competency and WR121.
Outcomes:
Outcome 1: Demonstrate
ability in choosing the type of lead (summary, delayed or immediate
identification, lead with flair) appropriate for a story’s subject and
audience.
Outcome 2: Demonstrate
ability in using the inverted pyramid story structure.
Outcome 3: Employ
observation when reporting and demonstrate thoroughness in gathering information
(using the Internet, library research and/or interviewing) and the responsible
use of sources.
Outcome 4:
Demonstrate familiarity with
the writing rules included in the AP Stylebook, as well as proofreading
and copyediting symbols. Demonstrate
the ability to edit and proofread one’s own story.
Outcome 5: Complete
several articles under deadline pressure that achieve thoroughness in reporting
and demonstrate effective writing skills, including focus, conciseness
and clarity.
Outcome 6: Demonstrate
a basic understanding of the issues involved in the legal and ethical concerns
associated with print journalism.
Outcome 7: Complete
appropriate written critical peer reviews of student article drafts, including
suggestions for revision and editing.
Outcome 8: Complete
at least one (formal or informal) written review of the student’s own writing
strengths and weaknesses including effective self-prescriptions for improvement.
Outcome 9: Read
one or two newspapers on a daily basis in order to analyze writing and reporting
styles and keep up with local, national and international news of note.
Outcome 10: Revise
several articles written under deadline pressure and choose one to submit for
publication to the appropriate venue.
Office and hours:
Jefferson 116, MWF 11-12, T 6-7, R 2-3 and by appointment; phone 330-4394; e-mail: jbouknight@cocc.edu
Texts
Rich, Carole. Writing and Reporting News: A Coaching Method. 4th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2002.
One magazine containing current examples of reportage. (approx. $5.00) Issue to be announced during the quarter.
Assignments:
Writing Assignments: There will be five formal writing assignments in this class.
1. Short profile of classmate 20 points (300+ words)
2. Longer profile of someone outside of class 40 “ (500+ “ )
3. Speech/meeting/lecture story 40 “ (500+ “ )
4. Multi-source investigative story 50 “ (750+ “ )
5. a. Multi-source feature story 50 “ (750+ “ )
b. New journalism story 50 “ (750+ “ )
All writing assignments are due in hard-copy (for your editor’s eyes) and in our electronic conference (for your eyes). Assignment 4 may be done with one partner, in which case the length expectation will be 1100 words. For assignment 5 choose (a) OR (b).
Proposals for stories: Proposals for assignments are brief statement showing your plan for upcoming stories. What is the focus of your intended story? What is the plan for gathering information? Why will this appeal to your audience? These will be posted on our electronic conference and will be checked off as part of your class participation grade.
AP Stylebook quizzes: These five-minute, open-book quizzes will consist of editing copy containing mistakes from specific sections of the AP stylebook. Each quiz will take ten minutes and be worth 5 points. (20 points total)
Class Participation: Participation in class discussions, exercises, the final-exam’s “outcomes” survey, timely completion of proposals are parts of the class participation score. (50 points total)
Deadlines:
Journalists agree that “making deadlines” is essential to success in the their field. For this reason all late papers will be penalized by 5% of the total points possible for each day late. Thus a late news review, for example, will be docked 2 points for each day late.
Extra Credit:
Publish one of your articles in a local paper. Each assignment worth 10 points.
Grading:
Letter grades may be determined by the percentage (points earned divided by points possible). Thus an A = 100-93%, A- = 92.9-90%, B+ = 89.9-87%, B = 86.9-83%, B- = 82.9-80%, C+ = 79.9-77%, and so on. (Total possible = 280 pts.)
Revisions:
If you feel a writing assignment could have been stronger, any two stories may be revised within one week of my returning the original assignment. Revisions must have the original draft affixed to them. It is not necessary to electronically post revisions.
Calendar
Do readings before day upon which assigned.
Sep 24:
Introduction, course goals/activities, Outcomes exercise
Sep 26: Rich 1-33, “Write
from the Start,” “Changing Concepts of News”
(no need to complete exercises at end of chapter unless otherwise
assigned.)
Oct 1:
Rich 35-59, “The Basic News Story,”
Oct 3:
Rich 114-135, “Interviewing Techniques,” Interview day
Oct 8:
Writing Assignment #1 due. Rich
61-73, “Grammar and Usage”
Oct 10: Rich 75-113,
“Curiosity and Story Ideas,” “Sources and Online Research” Proposal
for Assignment #2 due electronically, AP Quiz:
A-E
Oct 15: Rich 136-179,
“The Writing Process,” “Leads
and Nut Graphs,”
Oct 17: Rich 180-207,
“Story Structure”
Oct 22: Rich 388-403,
“Speeches, Conferences and Press Meetings,” Proposal for Assignment #3
due electronically
Oct 24: 209-229,
“Story Telling and Feature Techniques”,”
AP Quiz: F-L;
Writing Assignment #2 due
Oct 29: Rich 337-353,
“Multicultural Sensitivity,” Proposal for Assignment #4 due electronically.
Oct 31: Rich 302-319,
“Accuracy and Libel”
Nov 5: Rich 321-335,
“Media Ethics”; Writing Assignment #3 due
Nov 7: Rich 246-279,
“Broadcast Writing”
Nov 12: Rich 280-301 “Web
Writing”; Proposal for Assignment #5 due electronically
Nov 14: Rich 404-423, “Government and Statistical Stories,” AP
Quiz: M-P
Nov 19: Readings TBA, News
Review #2 due
Nov 21: Readings TBA,
Writing Assignment #4 due
Nov 26: Rich 231-245,
“Public Relations Writing”
Nov 28: Holiday
Dec 3: Readings TBA, AP
Quiz: Q-Z
Dec 5: Readings TBA; Writing
Assignment 5 (a OR b) due
Final Exam (Outcomes Survey)—Monday Dec. 9, 3:15-5:15 pm