MCCCD Program Description

News Writing

Course: JRN201

First Term: 2020 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Writing and producing news for the media. Associated Press (AP) editing style, writing skills, and organizational structure for news.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Demonstrate the ability to apply Associated Press (AP) style while writing and editing news stories. (I) 2. Write news copy that demonstrates a command of language, appropriate word choices, and proper grammar. (II) 3. Write professional news copy, demonstrating a high degree of fairness, accuracy, and balance. (II-IV) 4. Describe the basic elements of news. (III) 5. Describe the importance of a lead and the elements of a good lead. (IV, V) 6. Produce multimedia news packages with related content. (V, VII, IX) 7. Write well organized hard news and feature stories, based on the facts provided as well as on information gathered by reporter. (V, VIII, IX) 8. Use properly identified quotes to communicate information obtained from a variety of sources. (VI) 9. Demonstrate the ability to gather and verify information. (VII) 10. Apply basic techniques of interviewing and gathering of news. (VII) 11. Follow the laws and canons which govern journalists in respect to libel, ethics, and privacy when they apply. (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. Associated Press (AP) style II. Qualities of good writing A. Appropriate word usage B. Spelling accurately C. Avoidance of redundancies D. Omission of clich?s E. Elimination of jargon F. Proper grammar and punctuation III. News value A. The elements of news B. Fairness, accuracy, balance IV. Story structure A. Summary leads B. Alternative leads or structures C. Nut graf D. Body E. Ending or wrapping V. Story organization styles A. Inverted pyramid B. Hourglass C. Broadcast D. Narrative E. New media VI. Attribution/quotes A. Identification of sources B. Selecting quotes C. Kinds of quotes D. Mechanics of quotes VII. Gathering news A. Interviewing B. Note-taking C. Analysis of database searches D. News conferences E. Vetting sources for credibility F. Soundbites and actualities 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. New media F. Other X. Ethical and legal considerations A. Definition of libel B. Libel defenses C. Definition of privacy D. Privacy defenses E. Copyright law F. Ethical considerations G. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) H. Sunshine law(s) I. Shield law

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 25, 2020

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.