COMM 2100 Media Writing

This course is designed to provide the student with a solid introduction to the practice of journalistic writing for print, broadcast, and the web. Emphasis will be on planning, evaluating, analyzing, and organizing information using basic news gathering techniques. Students are introduced to various types of scripting formats used in print, broadcast, and the Internet. Students earning credit for MDIA 2100 may not earn credit in COMM 2100. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 1010. (3 lect.) WR2

Credits

3 credits

Transfer Status

Equivalent to UW.

Major Topics

  • History and Future of print Journalism
  • Basic News Story
  • Cultivating Primary Sources
  • Critically Evaluating Primary Sources and Online Research
  • Interviewing Techniques
  • Effective Organizational Structure
  • Storytelling and Feature Techniques
  • Media Law
  • Media Ethics
  • Online Journalism
  • Covering Beats:
  • -Speeches and Meetings
  • -News Conferences
  • -Government and Statistical Stories
  • -Crime and Punishment
  • -Disasters, Weather and Tragedies
  • Editing and Rewriting

Outcomes

In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:

1. Describe the history of print journalism and its potential future considering rapid technological changes.

2. Use passive voice, active voice, past and present tenses, and first- and third-person perspectives effectively in messages.

3. Write complete and effective sentences and paragraphs.

4. Apply grammar rules to achieve effective communication, gain and maintain credibility.

5. Identify specific story types used in professional journalism, including:

5a. News Stories:

5b. In-depth reporting

5c. Investigative reporting

5d. Feature stories

5e. News-feature stories

5f. Profiles

5g. Editorials.

6. Identify the differences in writing when covering different events including:

6a. Speeches and meetings: determine how best to write coverage of meetings and other events happening on the Central Wyoming College campus.

6b. Crime and courthouses

6c. Disasters and tragedies

6d. Press conferences

6e. Government

7. Identify and apply styles for writing in printed text including, but not limited to, the inverted pyramid, the martini glass, the champagne glass and the hour glass structure.

8. Write an example of a news story using one of the different types of events listed in objective 6 using an appropriate style from 7 (1-2 pages).

9. Write an example of a feature story using a different type of event listed in objective 6 using an appropriate style from 7 (1-2 pages).

10. Write an example of a news-feature story using a different type of event listed in objective 6 using an appropriate style from 7 (1-2 pages).

11. Write an example of a press release and explain the pros and cons behind using them as a resource (1-2 pages).

12. Write an example of a profile using an appropriate style from 7 (1 page).

13. Write an example of an editorial using a different type of event listed in objective 6 (1 page).

14. Write an example of in-depth reporting, using proper research and writing procedures to write a minimum 7-10 page formal research report that incorporates both primary and secondary sources.

15. Apply editing skills through reviewing writings of both peers and professionals.

16. List and define vocabulary commonly used by journalists.

17. Explain hard-news leads, second-day leads and impact leads, citing reasons for using each type.

18. Identify various methods of cultivating sources, both primary and secondary.

19. Give examples of how to critically evaluate sources, both primary and secondary.

20. Develop ways to conduct interviews and accurately record information obtained.

21. Describe various legal considerations in media including but not limited to: The First Amendment, libel law, Wyoming's Open Meetings Laws and the Freedom of Information Act and explain their journalistic applicability.

22. Discuss ethics employed by journalists and others in the news media profession, including but not limited to: methods to avoid conflicts of interests in reporting and writing objective and subjective reporting and bias that can arise in journalism, and "off the record’ implications.

23. Explain the value of The Associated Press Stylebook illustrate its significance in journalistic writing assignments.

24. Analyze the writing styles used in different forms of media including newspapers, magazines and blogs, and describe their differences.

25. Discuss common forms of criticism journalists receive and methods for dealing with them.

Other Information

Any information placed here must be adhered to by all instructors:

For textbook information, contact the instructor