JNL 216 Newswriting

Lecture Hours: 3
Credits: 3

Focuses on gathering and processing the news. Includes specific treatments on lede formats, organizing and constructing news stories, developing a news writing style and both straight and feature materials. Covers editorial and column writing with considerable time devoted to the craft of writing.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify situations offering potential news value.
Analyze and perform the basic duties and responsibilities of a news reporter for the print medium.
Apply basic news story construction techniques to the craft of newswriting.
Self-edit a story for conciseness and clarity, and develop a variety of editing techniques.
Locate, analyze, and successfully communicate with primary and secondary news sources.
Employ a wide-ranging variety of interviewing techniques that produce readable copy for print publications.
Develop a style for and employ abbreviated note-taking techniques.
Produce stories from police/accident reports, publicity releases, obituary forms, public meetings, live speeches, and other related sources.
Identify basic news value in feature stories.
Use the basic organization of The AP Stylebook for news stories.

Content Outline

News Value
Reporter Responsibilities
Lede Styles
Editing Symbols and Techniques
Primary and Secondary News Sources
Interviewing
Note-taking
Use of Quotes
Inverted Pyramid and Story Development Techniques
Transitions
Using Public Records
Obituary Formats
Feature Formats