JN1005 - Writing Convergent Stories

Credit points:	03
Year:	2012
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Arts & Social Sciences

Students study the language of news, how to discern which medium suits the matter of a given story, and how to construct a news story. They learn how to write introductions, how to use quotes, and how and when to employ active and passive voice. They learn to write across different media, including when and how to use the 'inverted pyramid' format; and how to approach interviewees and conduct a journalistic interview. Across the subject students are expected to generate fresh story ideas and to develop a news style of their own.

Learning Outcomes

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

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:

JN1004

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 23-Aug-2012
Coord/Lect:	Dr Amy Forbes.
Contact hours:	13 hours lectures 24 hours tutorials
Assessment:	tutorial attendance and participation (20%); writing to deadline: scenario-based on-the-spot news writing and reporting (30%); 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.