JRN 200:
News Writing and Reporting 1
SPRING 2014, SECTION 002;
9:10-11:30 A.M. MONDAYS/WEDNESDAYS
ROOM 236, CAS BUILDING
INSTRUCTOR: Omar Sofradzija
(so-FRAD-zee-uh)
OFFICE LOCATION: State News building, 435
E. Grand River Ave. (corner of Grand River and Division)
OFFICE HOURS: Noon to 7 p.m., Mondays
and Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Fridays; other times by appointment
OFFICE PHONE: (517) 432-3009
ON FACEBOOK: facebook.com/omars81
ON TWITTER: @omars81
ON LINKEDIN: linkedin.com/in.omars81
CLASS BLOG: http://jrn200isfunblog.blogspot.com/
A NOTE: While the syllabus
accurately describes the content that will be discussed and acted upon this
semester, the sequence and dates are subject – and likely – to change. This is
a departmental syllabus that will be tweaked to best fit the needs of this class
section while adhering to class goals and grade outlines. Please carefully take
note of assignments and due dates as these are announced during the course of
the semester, and PLEASE READ THIS SYLLABUS CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY.
You will be responsible for knowing the content and course structure from the
time the semester begins. “I didn’t know we had to do that” will NOT be an
acceptable excuse, if the subject matter is contained within this syllabus.
OUR GOALS
Journalism
is an honorable profession and you should be proud you have chosen this path.
Good reporting comes in all forms. Great stories might involve covering a small
town parade; explaining how one child will be impacted by school cuts, or
serving as the eyes and ears for your country at the Olympics. In their
greatest times of need, Americans have turned to journalists for explanation
and illumination. Journalists make a difference in the world.
The
goal of the School of Journalism is to train you to perform the mission of
journalism in our society. That mission is to provide citizens with accurate information
and images from the best possible sources. Journalism matters.
Reporters
are storytellers. They create stories, sound bites and images that make people
want to read, watch, communicate or listen. This is an exciting time to be a
journalist because the way we report news is changing every minute. There are
so many professions you can be successful in with this degree. There is a high
value on individuals who:
- have critical thinking skills;
- write well;
- know what THE news is;
- can determine the audience;
- gather the most pertinent information from the most credible sources;
- convey the news in a way that people want to read, hear or view it;
- perform all these tasks on deadline.
We want you to be the kind
of journalists whose professional work matters because of your credibility. We’ll start with basics. JRN 200 first focuses on reporting in text
because the thinking and organization skills required by good writing are the
foundation to all good communication. You will learn to assess the needs and
interests of audiences for stories; to use basic reporting methods such as
observation, interviewing and documentary records to do those stories. You’ll also learn to shape print stories for online
and video. Always, you will learn to
write stories accurately, concisely and clearly, in vigorous, grammatically correct
English on deadline.
OBJECTIVES
Congratulations as you begin
the transition from journalism major to journalist! Think of this course as
your first job in the news business. JRN 200 will help you to begin to develop
professional habits and skills.
Specific objectives include
helping you to:
·
develop news
judgment by recognizing essential news values;
·
gather
information through observation, interviewing and documents;
·
organize
information effectively in news stories;
·
write stories on
deadline that are accurate, clear and in AP style;
·
produce stories
for the appropriate media;
·
attribute
information fully and accurately in stories;
·
use
grammatically correct attribution for direct and indirect quotations;
·
revise print
stories for electronic platforms and video;
·
understand legal
and ethical issues in reporting;
·
incorporate appropriate
diversity in stories;
·
report
controversy with fairness and balance;
·
understand the
journalism business and industry changes.
As in most jobs, your work
ethic affects how well you master these objectives. Showing up punctually,
meeting deadlines unfailingly and following instructions competently maximize
your success.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Textbooks and Readings:
• Daily
reading of news is essential.
Read at least one newspaper and online news sites a day, as directed by
the instructor.
• Reporting for the Media, 10th ed. Bender, Davenport, Drager, and
Fedler (Oxford University Press, 2012).
• The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel
Manual, 2011 ed. (NY: The AP).
Recommended Reading:
• The Elements
of Journalism. Rosentiel and Kovach.
(NY: Three Rivers Press, 2007).
• The Elements
of Style. Strunk and White. Current edition (also available online).
COURSE ORGANIZATION
JRN 200 will have you
thinking about good news writing and reporting each day! During class, you write stories on deadline,
take quizzes, discuss journalistic issues and current events, review course
readings and other assignments. Between classes, you report stories, prepare
news tips and complete assigned readings.
Central to learning this
course will be the class blog,
located at http://jrn200isfunblog.blogspot.com/
online. Through the class blog we will get assignments and homework, discuss
work, review readings and past assignments, go over strategies on reporting and
writing well, and do other activities. YOU
WILL NEED TO CHECK THE CLASS BLOG ON A DAILY BASIS IN ORDER TO KEEP CURRENT ON
ASSIGNMENTS AND READINGS, so please make this a daily habit every weekday,
Mondays through Fridays.
Much is expected in this
class, but I do not expect you to do this alone. With this being an online
class, communication is critical. If you have any questions or concerns, DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME by email,
phone or in-person during the hours listed above. Contact information is
provided above. You cannot contact me too much, so please take advantage of
that offer as you feel is needed.
Feedback is also critical to
this class. Almost all graded written assignments will include considerable
comments from the instructor on what you did well and why, and what you can do
better and how. In addition, we will review the work of individuals (with names
removed) as a class, via the blog, so we can get an idea of how others are
doing similar assignments, and learn from their mistakes and/or successes. PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO FEEDBACK VIA
INSTRUCTOR’S COMMENTS AND THE BLOG, as such feedback is central to how we
learn in this class. In journalism, we learn by doing, then reviewing, then
learning lessons from the review, and then applying those lessons going
forward.
For the vast majority of
assignments, you will turn in your work via email to omars@msu.edu. Please make sure that you get that address correct
– omar with an s at the end – as there is an omar@msu.edu address that’s incorrect but active. If your work is
not correctly sent to omars@msu.edu, it will not be graded.
For such assignments, please
write your work in a Word document, and put the following in the upper
left-hand corner:
Your name (for example, Joe
Schmo)
The assignment date (Jan. 1,
2014)
The assignment title, as
indicated in the blog (writing exercise)
Assignment pages, numbers
from the text (p. 230-31, #1-2)
Here
are the types of exercises we’ll be doing over the session:
Lede and Story Exercises: These acquaint you with the professional style,
structure and conventions of news writing and reporting. They are “skill
building” exercises designed to prepare you for out-of-class stories by honing
your ability to write under deadline and to interview sources.
Quizzes: These focus
on AP style, grammar, spelling, punctuation, quotations, accuracy, reading
assignments and current events.
Out-of-Class Stories: Four
out-of-class stories culminate your learning experience in JRN 200. They
integrate the writing and reporting skills you acquired earlier in the
course. Your fourth story will only
count if it helps your grade. The research (interviewing, etc.) for each story
takes about 10 hours. Note, however,
that interviews usually are conducted during the Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. work period of your sources.
So make sure you have enough time during this period available in your
schedules.
You generate your own ideas
for these stories on assigned topics, submitting and getting approval from your
instructor for each story using the course news tip form--before beginning the
reporting process. The best way to get ideas for stories is to read and watch
as much news from as many different mediums as possible.
These out-of-class stories
include localizations, issue or trend stories, profiles or human interest stories. The final story is a story that you choose
with the permission of your professor.
The stories include at least
three interviewed sources each, but the more credible sources you have, the
better the grade. You may not use secondary sources from the Internet or news
releases. If you believe such sources are helpful or necessary, get approval to
use them from your instructor.
Stories should be at least
two pages in length (700-800 words). Stories should use AP Style –
double-spaced with indented paragraphs and quotes that stand alone.
You should attach a source
list where you identify by name, title, email address and telephone number the
interview sources you’ve used.
Interested in raising your grade?
You may revise your out-of-class stories. To earn credit for a revision, you
must do additional reporting involving additional sources or information, as
suggested by your instructor and provide a new source list. The grades from the
original and rewrite are averaged, although instructors may increase the grade
even further if they believe the student went the extra mile to produce a much
improved story, thanks to continued reporting. Deadlines for each rewrite are
no later than one week after your instructor returns the original story.
Online Stories: At least
two of your out-of-class stories will be revised and posted online. Online
stories are 200-400 words in length and incorporate at least two hyperlinks to
sources appropriate for the story. Additional “points of entry,” such as
photos, videos and slideshows, are encouraged and positively impact your grade.
A print version may be
submitted, but the posting and links must also be accessible on-line at an
electronic address you provide or at the site your instructor specifies.
Multimedia: Two assignments are videos or audio slideshows. These stories also
will be revisions of the out-of-class story assignments.
A script is written and
submitted for each story if you are doing a video stand-up; the whole video
itself is no more than two minutes in length. The script and the video must
follow special stylistic conventions appropriate for broadcast or Web casts.
Job Shadows: Within the
first weeks of class, seek out a professional who is working in a journalism
occupation you believe you might wish to pursue. Spend half of a day on the job
with that person. Interview that professional about keys to success.
(Especially what they wish they knew in college!) You will write a 600-word report on your
findings and may even present those findings in class to help other students be
successful.
GRADING
Lead and Story Exercises 35
percent
Quizzes and News Tips 10
percent
Out-of-Class Stories 30
percent
Online Stories 10
percent
Multimedia Stories 10
percent
Job Shadow 5 percent
Several opportunities exist to raise grades in
JRN 200:
Allowable out-of-class story
revisions can help your grade.
Meet with your professor
to discuss extra credit opportunities.
BUT: grade reductions result from absences,
tardiness and unprofessionalism.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Course material and readings
build from one topic to another. Homework is due the week in which it appears.
Weeks 1-2:
Introduction to JRN 200
Journalism
today; the basics; format, copy editing and AP Style; grammar and spelling;
newswriting style; the language of news
Homework: Course Syllabus; Bender: Chapters 1-4
Weeks 3-4: Audience Orientation, News Values and
Story Ledes
Lede
Construction and Audience Orientation; Citing News Sources: quotation and
paraphrase; AP style and copy editing
Homework:
Bender: Ch. 5, 8-12, 16-17
Weeks 5-7: Story Organization
Story Organization; Body of a News Story; Specialized
Stories
Homework:
Bender: Ch. 15, 18-19
Weeks 8-10:
Putting It All Together
Story
organization types; Public Affairs Reporting; Advanced Reporting; First
Out-of-Class Story Due
Homework: Bender: Ch. 13-14
Weeks 11-13:
Online and Multimedia Story Telling
Writing for Online Platforms; Video; Second
Out-Of-Class Story Due
Week 14-15: Libel and Ethics
Covering Conflict; Fairness and Balance; Advocacy and
Partisanship’ Legal Issues in News Coverage; Moral and Ethical Issues in
Journalism; Third Out-of-Class Story Due, Extra Credit Out-of-Class Story Due
Homework:
Bender: Text Ch. 6-7
Out-of-Class Story Schedule
Deadlines for news tips and
out-of-class stories may be altered by instructors depending on the semester
and university holidays.
The stories based on
approved news tips are due no later than the last class day of the following
week at a time of day specified by the instructor. Revisions of the print stories are due at a
day and time specified by the instructor. Online and/or video versions of these stories
are also due by deadlines specified by instructors
Instructors may specify
particular types of stories to be completed, but one must be on a public
affairs topic. The 4th story
will only be counted if it helps improve a student’s grade. In that case, the
student’s grade will be the average of the four – rather than three stories.
The story types and
deadlines noted below are meant to provide examples of how the deadline
scheduling may occur. Assignments may be
turned in earlier than the specified deadline but a missed deadline will result
in an assignment grade of zero.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS SCHEDULE IS APPROXIMATE AND IS
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Story Type Tip
Story Revision Online or
Video
Localization Feb. 12 Feb.
26 Mar. 17 Mar. 26
Issue or trend Mar. 12 Mar. 24 Mar.
31 Apr. 7
Profile or feature Mar. 24 Mar.
31 Apr. 7 Apr.
14
You Pick Story Apr. 7
Apr. 14 None Apr.
21
SYLLABUS APPENDIX
GRADING SCALE
All work is evaluated on the
4.0 grading system. Listed below are the criteria for evaluating assignments
and computing a final grade.
Evaluation: Instructors assign a subjective grade based on the
general guidelines below. Your instructor may give subjective grades between
those specified (e.g., 2.75) to make finer distinctions among stories.
4.0: Story could be published virtually as is. It shows
superior command of the facts, news judgment, story organization, reporting and
writing.
3.5: Story could be published with very minor revisions.
Generally well-written, accurate copy containing all relevant material, but
requires minor editing for maximum precision and clarity.
3.0: Better-than-average story. The story was handled
well. Copy needs some rewriting and polishing before it could be published.
2.5: Story is a little above average. The story might
have a significant problem with reporting, organization, completeness, etc.
Certainly needs rewriting.
2.0: Average story. Not a story most readers would read
unless they really needed the information. The story may have reporting,
organization or writing problems.
1.5: A weak story. The story may have a buried lead;
problems in news interpretation; problems in story organization; omission of
some important fact or source. The story
needs substantial revision.
1.0: A non-story. The story lacks news judgment;
displays major flaws in reporting and writing; omits important facts. The story
needs substantial rethinking.
0.0: Story is late or failed to receive instructor’s
approval. Story is misleading or unethical. Organization or writing flaws make
the story incoherent.
Fact errors:
Inaccurate information, misspelling a proper name, a misquotation or an error
that changes the meaning of a story automatically drops a grade to a maximum of
1.0 (e.g., President “Barack Obamma” or “Department of Transport”).
Each
error in spelling, grammar, style or punctuation will reduce the assignment
grade by .25 up to a full 1.0 off for that assignment.
Help:
Students who need help with fundamental writing problems may contact the MSU
Writing Center, 300 Bessey Hall (phone 432-3610).
Grading Example: Your lab instructor evaluates of your story,
determining that with a little rewriting it could be published and assigns a
grade of 3.0. Further review, however,
reveals an instance of subject-verb disagreement (-.25), a misspelled word
(-.25) and a typo (-.25). So the story
earned a final grade of 2.25.
Extra Credit: Your professor will offer opportunities for extra
credit. Some of those opportunities may include writing extra stories or
attending events on campus or in the Comm Arts building.
COURSE POLICIES
Deadlines: Your stories must be
turned in at the start of class on the date specified by your professor. They
may not be emailed in. Late stories earn
a 0.0 grade. Editors, online producers and news directors do not make
exceptions for late stories. Your
professor serves as your first boss and editor.
Attendance. Your enthusiastic participation in class
helps you and your classmates to learn! Conversely, absences seriously degrade that
opportunity to learn. Two absences are
acceptable, but a third unexcused absence drops your final grade by 0.5, a
fourth absence by 1.0. A fifth absence means you missed 15 hours of class–and
you fail the course. If you fail the class because of absences, you will be
dropped from the major. Missed assignments, quizzes or deadlines on a day you
are absent earn a 0.0.
Tardiness: Coming late to class or leaving early is unprofessional. If you are continually disrupting class by
coming late, your professor may count two tardy arrivals as an unexcused
absence.
Other:
Inattention in class for any reason (e.g., a ringing cell phone, email use, web
surfing, sleeping, etc.) is unprofessional.
Two such instances will equal one absence. It is really awful and
unacceptable when these things happen when we have class speakers.
Etiquette: Make sure when you are communicating with faculty or sources, that you
use proper etiquette in your emails or in person.
PLAGIARISM, CHEATING, FABRICATION AND
STUDENT CONDUCT
Plagiarism
is presenting another person’s work as your own. Cheating is also stealing
another person’s work. Fabrication is making up a source, putting words in a
source’s mouth and/or other sorts of faking.
Student Integrity: Students who
cheat, fabricate or plagiarize may fail this course. Falsification, fabrication or plagiarism
results in a 0.0 for the offending assignment as a minimum consequence. Follow
the J-School Code of Ethics and Standards.
The School of Journalism
also adheres to the policies on academic honesty specified in General Student
Regulations 1.0, Protection of Scholarship and Grades, and in the
all-University Policy on Integrity of Scholarship and Grades, which are
included in current Spartan Life: Student Handbook and Resource Guide
and on the MSU Web site.
Professionalism: Professional behavior is the invariable standard for
personnel in any of the communication fields when they interact with one another
or with others.
In class, professionalism
means alertness and attention to the task at hand and unfailing respectfulness
in word and behavior. Such professionalism is among the core requirements for
success in this class and in any communication field.
Out of class,
professionalism means courteous, respectful and honest interaction with
sources. Address your professors or sources by the proper title. Introduce
yourself to sources as a journalism student, but emphasize that you are
gathering information for stories you expect to publish. It is not professional to tell sources that
their information is “just for a class.”
Disability
Accommodations: If you need or want to request an
accommodation for a disability, call the Resource Center for Persons With
Disabilities at 517-884-7273. You will
be required to provide instruction from RCPD to your course instructor.
Dropping the Course: For information, visit the MSU Registrar’s Web.
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