JRN 200: News Writing and
Reporting I
SPRING 2017, SEC. 004; 10:20-12:10
P.M., W/F CAS 242
INSTRUCTOR: Omar
Sofradzija (so-FRAD-zee-uh)
OFFICE LOCATION: CAS 360
OFFICE HOURS: 10-1 p.m.
Tue., 12:30-3 p.m. W/F, 10-2:30 p.m. Thu.
CELL PHONE:
702-271-7983
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
Think of the world we live in.
Tough political races. College football teams
chasing the national championship. Polluted water poisoning one of Michigan’s
biggest cities. A new fashion designer setting a new trend by dressing Michelle
Obama. Terrorism happening in places as different as a church to a concert
hall. A scary fish with teeth is found in Lake St. Clair.
These are all examples of the world we live in. A
world filled with news, a non-stop news cycle, and an important need for
ethical and skilled reporters to make sense of everything for the public.
Journalism matters. Journalists matter.
And that’s where you come in. Welcome to your first
steps into the world of journalism, and becoming a journalist, in JRN 200.
Journalists are storytellers, using every medium
possible. Journalists create stories that make people want to read, watch,
retweet, or react to. A strong journalist provides accurate information,
compelling images, video, sound, and quotes from the best possible sources.
This is one of the most exciting – and challenging –
times to be a journalist because of the changing technology, our ability to
provide real-time news, and the demands of global audiences.
The skill set of a journalist provides many career
paths: public relations, law, screenwriting, editing, magazines, television,
social media, newspapers, investigative reporting, social media, public
relations, government, business, publishing, multimedia, blogging, graphic
design, documentary filmmaking, travel, photography…and many more!
Journalism is a mirror of our lives: sports, arts,
environment, science and medicine, entertainment, war, crime, government,
politics, fashion, social issues, and international opportunities.
The best journalists in the world, some of which
proudly are MSU J-School graduates, know how to skillfully and ethically
report, write, broadcast, and understand how to put information together for
the public.
We will be using a real world approach, drawing from
current media and events happing around us. We want you to be the kind of journalists whose
professional work matters because of your credibility. Perfection is the
standard that we strive for. The goal is that when your name or image is
attached to a story or information – your readers or viewers know that
information is the best and most accurate it can possibly be.
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, all formulated in flowing,
grammatically correct English on deadline.
OBJECTIVES
Welcome
to your transition from journalism major to journalist! This course is
essentially your first job in a newsroom, and you must approach it with the
same level of professionalism and respect as you would in the real world. The
work habits and skills you develop JRN 200 will serve you well as you progress
in the MSU J-School and the outside world.
What
you can expect to learn (and hopefully master!) in JRN 200:
·
developing
news judgment by recognizing essential news values
·
gathering
information through observation, interviewing and documents
·
organizing
information effectively
·
writing
clear and accurate stories on deadline in AP style
·
producing
stories for the appropriate media
·
attributing
information fully, clearly and accurately in stories
·
using
correct quotation attribution
·
revising
written stories for multimedia platforms
·
understanding
legal and ethical issues in reporting
·
incorporating
diversity in stories
·
reporting
on controversy with fairness and balance
·
understanding
the journalism business and how it’s evolving.
As
in the real world, your work ethic directly affects how well you master these
objectives. Showing up on time and prepared, meeting deadlines every time and
following instructions competently will maximize your success.
As
in the real world, these are non-negotiable. We want you to be the next great
journalist from Michigan State. We will teach you how. But it takes work and
commitment.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Textbooks and Readings:
• Daily reading of news is essential. Read at
least one newspaper and online news site a day, as directed by the instructor. A good journalist knows what is going on in
the world. Period.
• Reporting for the Media, 11th
ed. Bender, Davenport, Drager, and Fedler (Oxford University Press, 2016). DO
NOT use earlier or later editions, as chapters have been
reorganized/added/deleted.
• The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, 2014 or
later 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 the semester, you write stories on deadline,
take quizzes, consider journalistic issues and current events, review course
readings and other assignments. You also 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. The blog is formatted for
both desktop and mobile, giving you greater options in how to engage it.
Again, WE WILL NOT BE
USING D2L FOR THIS CLASS; PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK THE CLASS BLOG.
Much is expected in this class, but I do not expect you to do
this alone. If you have any questions or concerns, DO NOT HESITATE TO
CONTACT ME by email, phone or in-person. 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, 2017)
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 human 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. You may NOT use anonymous sources. Wikipedia is
NOT considered to be a credible
source for citing.
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.
And your story MUST be turned in on time. No late papers accepted. Like in the
real world.
(Hint: look at newspapers! They have stories with the same type
of quote/paragraph structure we will be using in class. So there is a ton of
stuff to check out if you’re looking for a template of sorts.)
Interested in raising your grade? You may revise one
out-of-class story. 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.
DO NO LEAVE THIS UNTIL THE END OF THE SEMESTER, as you will doom yourself to
failure.
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
30 percent
Quizzes and News
Tips
10 percent
Out-of-Class
Stories
40 percent
Online Stories 5 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.
Grade reductions result from missed or late assignments and
unprofessionalism.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Course material and readings build from one topic to another.
Homework is due the week in which it appears.
Homework
is due the week in which it appears. But, due to breaking news events, this
class schedule is fluid and flexible. This class may frequently examine current
events, how they are covered, and ask you to react to how the media is
operating. Again, please be prepared to understand what is going on in the
world.
We
will have fun, keep things interesting and current. Go with the flow and you
will be rewarded.
Homework
deadlines and assignments will be updated regularly on the class blog at
jrn200isfunblog.blogspot.com. It is your responsibility to look at the links
and lists of assignments as the course develops. Please be aware of what is
required. If you have any questions, ASK.
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, 3-4
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. 2, 7-11, 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. 12-14
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. 5-6
Out-of-Class Story Schedule
Please follow the class blog for specific deadlines as they are
posted through the fall session.
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.
Assignments may be turned in earlier than the specified deadline
but a missed deadline will result in an assignment grade of zero.
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 0.25 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
(-0.25), a misspelled word (-0.25) and a typo (-0.25). 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.
COURSE POLICIES
Deadlines: Your
stories must be turned in at the start of class on the date and time specified
by your professor. 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.
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 doing any class work, 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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