MCCCD Program Description

News Writing

Course: JRN201

First Term: 2011 Fall

Lec + Lab 3 Credit(s) 5 Period(s) 4.4 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Writing news for the print media. Composing at the computer keyboard. Associated Press editing style, writing skills, and organizational structure for news

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Demonstrate the ability to apply AP style while editing news stories. (I) 2. Use an Associated Press Stylebook. (I) 3. Demonstrate an ability to write news stories designed for a mass audience, employing traditional journalistic style patterns. (I) 4. Write professional news copy, demonstrating a command of appropriate word choices, grammar, and punctuation. (II) 5. Describe the basic elements which determine what is news. (III) 6. Write professional news copy, demonstrating a high degree of fairness, accuracy, and balance. (IV) 7. Describe the importance of a lead and the elements that make a good lead. (IV, VII) 8. Write a lead to a single-element and multi-element story. (IV, VIII) 9. Write well organized news and feature stories, based on facts which are provided as well as from information gathered by reporter. (V, VIII, IX) 10. Demonstrate an ability to communicate information from various sources through the efficient use of quotations and appropriate identification. (VI) 11. Demonstrate the ability to use the library and computer databases to gather information. (VII) 12. Describe and use basic techniques of interviewing and gathering of news. (VII) 13. Describe the essentials that make up an advance and follow-up story. (IX) 14. Describe the laws and guidelines which govern journalists in respect to libel, ethics, and privacy. (X)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Style A. Associated Press B. News writing differences II. Qualities of good writing A. Word usage B. Spelling C. Redundancies D. Clich?s E. Journalese F. Grammar and punctuation III. What makes news A. The elements of news B. Fairness, accuracy, balance IV. The lead A. Summary B. Alternatives V. Story organization A. Inverted pyramid B. Hourglass C. Single/multi element D. Transitional movements VI. Attribution/quotes A. Identification of sources B. Selecting quotes C. Kinds of quotes D. Mechanics of quotes VII. Gathering news A. Interviewing B. Notetaking C. Library D. Database searches E. Press conferences VIII. Features A. Definition B. Leads C. Organization IX. Basic news stories A. Advance B. Follows/second day C. Speeches, meetings, news conferences D. Roundup E. Other X. Ethics/legal considerations A. Definition of libel B. Libel defenses C. Definition of privacy D. Privacy defenses E. Times vs Sullivan F. Ethical considerations

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 5/23/2000

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.