Media Writing
The following is information about the Media Writing course (COM 110) I teach at Elon University.
Catalog Description
Clear, logical writing is necessary to communicate effectively to an audience. This course focuses on background research, interviews, accuracy, attribution and styles of writing (print, broadcast, online, news releases). Superior grammar and language skills are expected, and Associated Press style is introduced. Prerequisite: C- or better in ENG 110.
Course Goal
Teach accepted practices and skills used in writing for mass media.
Course Objectives
Throughout this course, you are expected to:
- Build awareness and understanding of professional writing standards on matters such as truth, accuracy, fairness, objectivity and meeting deadlines.
- Write clearly and accurately through study and practice of established conventions in grammar, style, organization and communications formats.
- Exercise critical thinking and evaluation skills in topic/story selection, information-gathering, content development, writing and editing media copy for target audiences.
- Become more sensitive to the diversity of audiences through writing and research activities.
- Develop an understanding of data, statistics and skills using research tools (including the Internet, libraries and public documents).
- Gain and demonstrate a proficiency in AP Style.
- Practice and improve interviewing skills through assignments requiring gathering information through interviews.
- Develop self-assessment and copy editing skills by reviewing your own work and the work of others
Course Materials
- Tim Harrower, Inside Reporting (McGraw Hill: New York, 2007).
- Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual (2007 or 2008 edition), Norm Goldstein, ed.
- Patricia T. O’Conner, Woe Is I (Riverhead Books: New York, 2003).
- Reporter’s Notebook
- Jumpdrive or Flashdrive: You’ll be doing a lot of writing in this class. You will be required to save all your assignments because you’ll be resubmitting corrected versions in a final portfolio at the end of the semester. REMEMBER: We use Mac computers in our lab.
- A new 1-inch to 2-inch binder and clear-plastic pages for your work portfolio. It must be new because your final portfolio must evoke an air of professionalism.
School of Communications Professional Standards Policy
Media Writing Syllabi (PDF)