JRN 200: News Writing and Reporting 1
FALL
2013, SECTION 003; 9:10-11:30 A.M. TUESDAYS/THURSDAYS
ROOM
B110H, WELLS HALL
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: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays; noon to
7 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 (Sept. 1, 2013)
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
Oct. 10 Oct.
22 Oct. 29 Nov. 7
Issue
or trend Oct. 24 Nov. 5 Nov. 14 Nov.
19
Profile
or feature Nov. 12 Nov. 21 Dec. 3 Dec.
3
You
Pick Story Nov. 19 Dec. 5 None Dec. 12
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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