JRN101 Newswriting (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Communication (COMUN)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of news reporting practice. It explores and discusses news values and the construction of news reports in the print, broadcast and organisational communication mediums with reference to new styles of reporting resulting from the internet and digital mediums. The subject develops core writing skills through the systematic study of grammar and the practice of plain English expression applicable to the news media.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 1 | |
|---|---|
| Distance | Wagga Wagga | Session 2 |
| Internal | Bathurst |
| Distance | Bathurst |
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: JRN101
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Assumed Knowledge:
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of basic news story generation, information gathering and production process of news media organisations;
- be able to demonstrate an ability to generate, select and frame stories relevant to the news media;
- be able to demonstrate an ability to evaluate news values and apply these in news writing;
- be able to demonstrate an ability to write in a plain English style of expression with competency in conventional rules of grammar;
- be able to demonstrate an ability to conduct interviews (telephone and face-to-face) in a professional manner;
- be able to demonstrate an ability to identify basic legal pitfalls (such as defamation) associated with news writing;
- be able to demonstrate increased written communication competence in various forms of professional writing practice, including for radio, television, and organisational communication;
- be able to demonstrate personal presentation skills relevant to journalism.
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
- story generation, gathering and production; - research techniques; - inter-personal skills for interviewing (telephone and face-to-face); - personal presentation skills; - basic reporting skills; - specific reporting skills (news conferences, speeches and meetings); - broadcast writing methods; - writing web-based news; - writing news releases; - media law.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.