JN1004 - News Writing and Style

Credit points:	03
Year:	2008
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	Discipline of Journalism

Students study the language of news; how to construct a news story, the importance of introductions, how to use quotes effectively and the difference between active and passive voice. Students will develop a news style including learning how to write in an inverted pyramid format. Students are expected to generate story ideas and will learn how to approach interviewees as well as be introduced to the art of journalistic interviewing.

Learning Outcomes

• to shape information into news stories;
• to develop interviewing skills;
• understand news values;
• to develop writing skills in the news genre.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to use and interpret different media;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning processes and products;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

IA1004 and JN1002 and JN5004

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 05-Sep-2008
Coord/Lect:	Dr Amy Forbes.
Contact hours:	13 hours lectures 24 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); assignments (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.