MCOM 350 - Special Topics:

Advanced Media Writing

Spring 2005 - MWF 1:30-2:20 p.m. - 201 Fulton

Instructor

Ms. Tracy Lauder Office Hours

216 Miller MWF 12:30-1:30 p.m.

944-6152 (and by appointment)

tlauder@ehc.edu

Course Objectives

The purpose of this class is to move beyond MCOM 201, the introductory media writing course, to explore other forms of journalistic prose with a focus on in-depth reporting, feature writing, and opinion writing. Prerequisite: MCOM 201 for majors; instructor consent outside the major

Through the course, we will:

- review the basics of journalistic writing

- learn how to propose and write longer news pieces, personality profiles, features, reviews, and editorial columns

- improve our writing and editing skills

- develop the ability to provide useful feedback to colleagues through critiques

- explore our personal style and voice in writing

- publish five articles in The Whitetopper or other media outlet(s)

Required Reading

Beyond the Inverted Pyramid: Effective Writing for Newspapers, Magazines and Specialized Publications by The Missouri Group: Kennedy, Moen, and Ranly (Bedford / St. MartinÕs, 1993)

Working with Words: A Handbook for Media Writers and Editors, 5^th ed., by Brian S. Brooks, James L. Pinson, and Jean Gaddy Wilson (Bedford / St. MartinÕs, 2003)

Associated Press Stylebook

A variety of newspapers, magazines, and other media

Supplemental readings as made available by the instructor

Course Requirements

A variety of assignments will be utilized in this course, including:

- readings from the texts and supplemental sources as provided by the instructor

- class discussions

- five article-writing assignments

- other miscellaneous assignments (such as reading quizzes, article proposals, and writing critiques)

The instructor will make every effort to explain the process, expectations, and grading criteria for each assignment. Clarification about assignments should be sought from the instructor as soon as questions arise. In addition, unit and final exams will test accumulated knowledge and the application of such knowledge. Classroom attendance and participation are necessary for successful completion of the course, especially due the instructional and informational nature of class discussions.

Grading

The final grade for this course will be computed in the following manner:

Five articles @ 12 percent each 60 percent

Critiques / proposals 10 percent

Msc. assignments / quizzes 20 percent

Participation / attendance 10 percent

Writing & Editing Skills

High standards of writing and editing will be expected and enforced. Students, therefore, must be able to edit their work for grammar, punctuation, accuracy, clarity, conciseness, and style. Poorly written work will receive a reduced grade.

Critiques

Students will have the opportunity to critique the drafts of fellow students, as well as provide feedback for articles in initial planning stages. The instructor will provide detailed guidelines on how to critique the articles, as well as a schedule for turning in critiques. Students are expected to actively participate in all critiques as an essential part of the learning process. Students will be graded on their critique participation in terms of the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of their critiques, as well as their adherence to deadlines, both in turning in their own work for critique as well as submitting responses to the class by the deadline.

Attendance Policy

Dedicated class attendance is essential for learning in this course. Students are expected to attend every class meeting and arrive on time unless absolutely unable due to unusual circumstances. A student should make every effort to contact the instructor prior to the class meeting if he or she will be unable to attend; in some cases (such as the death of a family member or a serious injury to the student), makeup work may be arranged. In general, makeup work will not be allowed, and the absence of completed assignments will decrease the studentÕs final grade.

Students will be penalized for more than three absences in the course; five points will be deducted from the final course grade for each absence after three. If you already know that you will need to miss several classes due to extracurricular activities, a job, family responsibilities, or other obligation(s), you should consider taking this course at another time.

Roll will be taken at the beginning of the class period. If you arrive after roll is taken, you will be counted absent. If you arrive late for class, you should verify your attendance with the instructor after class. Three tardy arrivals will count as one absence.

Winter Forum and Lyceum Events

Students may be required to attend several Lyceum and Winter Forum events (to be announced later) that are related to mass communication. Failure to attend the required events will result in a zero as an assignment grade.

Deadlines

As in any mass communications course, students are being trained to follow the professional standards of the media industry. Deadlines, therefore, are strictly enforced.

Out-of-class assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the class period in which they are due, even if the student does not attend class. Late assignments will be accepted but will receive a penalty of 10 points for every 24-hour period past the deadline. As with class attendance, if a student encounters circumstances that prohibit him or her from meeting a deadline, he or she should contact the instructor as soon as possible, but exclusion of a late penalty is never guaranteed.

Academic Misconduct

Representing another personÕs work as your own violates the collegeÕs Honor Code. Copying homework assignments, cheating on quizzes or exams, lying about sources of information, and plagiarizing on projects all constitute academic misconduct, a serious offense with serious consequences. Cases of academic misconduct will be turned over to the DeanÕs office for investigation and disciplinary measures.

The House Rules

Respect for fellow students and the instructor are necessary for an enjoyable learning experience. This includes being prompt for class, turning off cellular phones before class, and participating in classroom discussions that foster a healthy exchange of ideas.

Tentative Course Schedule

Week 1

W 1/12 Introduction to the course

F 1/14 Being a Writer

Discuss Ch. 1, ÒQualities of Good WritersÓ & Ch. 2, ÒKnowing Your Audience,Ó BIP 3-18

Discuss ÒIntroductionÓ from Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

Be prepared to discuss answers to the questions on pp. 8-9

Week 2

M 1/17 Finding Article Ideas

Discuss Ch. 3, ÒFinding Ideas,Ó BIP 19-27

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA)

Discuss writing assignments for the semester

W 1/19 Article Proposals

Discuss ÒAppendix A: Getting Your Article Into Print,Ó BIP 214-219

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA)

F 1/21 Article Assignment: The In-Depth News Story

Discuss Ch. 13, ÒWriting Project and Investigative Stories,Ó BIP 163-186

Week 3

M 1/24 Interviewing

Discuss Ch. 4, ÒHuman Sources: Observing and Interviewing,Ó BIP 29-45

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned

W 1/26 Information Gathering

Discuss Ch. 5, ÒDocumentary Sources: Following Paper (and Computer) Trails, BIP 58-64

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned

Deadline: Article #1 proposal

F 1/28 Structuring the News Story

Discuss Ch. 9, ÒStructuring the Story, BIP 102-121

Discuss Ch. 14, ÒWriting News ThatÕs Fit for Print,Ó WWW 301-316

Week 4

M 1/31 Journalistic Writing

Discuss Ch. 7, ÒThe Essence of Good Writing,Ó BIP 65-83

Discuss Ch. 11, ÒWriting as a Journalist,Ó and Ch. 12, ÒConciseness,Ó WWW 221-239

Review ÒWhat To Tighten, A to Z,Ó WWW 240-268

W 2/2 Article Assignment: The Personality Profile

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned

F 2/4 Article Assignment: The Feature

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA)

Week 5

M 2/7 Article Assignment: The Review

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA)

W 2/9 Feature Leads

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA)

F 2/11 Work Day #1

Week 6

M 2/14 Revising and Editing

Discuss Ch. 10, ÒRevising for Publication,Ó BIP 122-134

Discuss the class critique process

Deadline: Article #2 proposal

W 2/16 WINTER FORUM

Deadline: Article #1 draft

F 2/18 Critique Day #1

Week 7

M 2/21 Colorful Writing

Discuss Ch. 8, ÒCreative Writing Techniques,Ó BIP 84-101

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned

W 2/23 Writing Reviews

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA)

Deadline: Article #1 final

F 2/25 Work Day #2

Week 8

M 2/28 Writing Reviews (continued)

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA)

W 3/2 Readings & discussion: TBA

Deadline: Article #2 draft

F 3/4 Critique Day #2

Week 9

M 3/7 Article Assignment: The Editorial Column

Discuss Ch. 14, ÒWriting Opinion and Persuasion,Ó BIP 187-203

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA)

Deadline: Article #3 proposal

T 3/8 Lyceum: ÒThe Birth of Southern Living in the 1960s,Ó 7:30 p.m., BOV

W 3/9 The Editorial Column (continued)

Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA)

Deadline: Article #2 final; Article #1 revisions (optional)

F 3/11 Work Day #3

Mass Communication Day Workshops

F/S March 11-12 E&H Mass Communication Days

Week 10

M 3/14 Readings & discussion: TBA

Deadline: Article #4 proposal

W 3/16 Readings & discussion: TBA

Deadline: Article #3 draft

F 3/18 Critique Day #3

SPRING BREAK

Week 11

M 3/28 EHC CLOSED

W 3/30 Readings & discussion: TBA

Deadline: Article #3 final; Article #2 revisions (optional)

F 4/1 Work Day #4

Week 12

M 4/4 Readings & discussion: TBA

W 4/6 Readings & discussion: TBA

Deadline: Article #4 draft; Article #5 proposal

F 4/8 Critique Day #4

Week 13

M 4/11 Readings & discussion: TBA

W 4/13 Readings & discussion: TBA

Deadline: Article #4 final; Article #3 revised (optional)

F 4/15 Work Day #5

Week 14

M 4/18 Readings & discussion: TBA

W 4/20 Readings & discussion: TBA

Deadline: Article #5 draft

F 4/22 Critique Day #5

Week 15

M 4/25 Readings & discussion: TBA

W 4/27 Readings & discussion: TBA

Deadline: Article #5 final; Article #4 revised (optional)

F 4/29 Work Day

Week 16

SS 4/30-5/1 Review Days

M-F May 2-6 Final Exams

M 5/2 Deadline: Article #5 revised (optional)



	About Mass Communication News Faculty Courses The Liberal Arts Alumni Contact us Mass Comm Home Campus media EHCWired.com EHC-TV WEHC-FM The Whitetopper Emory and Henry College	MCOM 350 - Tracy Lauder
			MCOM 350 - Special Topics: Advanced Media Writing Spring 2005 - MWF 1:30-2:20 p.m. - 201 Fulton Instructor Ms. Tracy Lauder Office Hours 216 Miller MWF 12:30-1:30 p.m. 944-6152 (and by appointment) tlauder@ehc.edu Course Objectives The purpose of this class is to move beyond MCOM 201, the introductory media writing course, to explore other forms of journalistic prose with a focus on in-depth reporting, feature writing, and opinion writing. Prerequisite: MCOM 201 for majors; instructor consent outside the major Through the course, we will: - review the basics of journalistic writing - learn how to propose and write longer news pieces, personality profiles, features, reviews, and editorial columns - improve our writing and editing skills - develop the ability to provide useful feedback to colleagues through critiques - explore our personal style and voice in writing - publish five articles in The Whitetopper or other media outlet(s) Required Reading Beyond the Inverted Pyramid: Effective Writing for Newspapers, Magazines and Specialized Publications by The Missouri Group: Kennedy, Moen, and Ranly (Bedford / St. MartinÕs, 1993) Working with Words: A Handbook for Media Writers and Editors, 5^th ed., by Brian S. Brooks, James L. Pinson, and Jean Gaddy Wilson (Bedford / St. MartinÕs, 2003) Associated Press Stylebook A variety of newspapers, magazines, and other media Supplemental readings as made available by the instructor Course Requirements A variety of assignments will be utilized in this course, including: - readings from the texts and supplemental sources as provided by the instructor - class discussions - five article-writing assignments - other miscellaneous assignments (such as reading quizzes, article proposals, and writing critiques) The instructor will make every effort to explain the process, expectations, and grading criteria for each assignment. Clarification about assignments should be sought from the instructor as soon as questions arise. In addition, unit and final exams will test accumulated knowledge and the application of such knowledge. Classroom attendance and participation are necessary for successful completion of the course, especially due the instructional and informational nature of class discussions. Grading The final grade for this course will be computed in the following manner: Five articles @ 12 percent each 60 percent Critiques / proposals 10 percent Msc. assignments / quizzes 20 percent Participation / attendance 10 percent Writing & Editing Skills High standards of writing and editing will be expected and enforced. Students, therefore, must be able to edit their work for grammar, punctuation, accuracy, clarity, conciseness, and style. Poorly written work will receive a reduced grade. Critiques Students will have the opportunity to critique the drafts of fellow students, as well as provide feedback for articles in initial planning stages. The instructor will provide detailed guidelines on how to critique the articles, as well as a schedule for turning in critiques. Students are expected to actively participate in all critiques as an essential part of the learning process. Students will be graded on their critique participation in terms of the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of their critiques, as well as their adherence to deadlines, both in turning in their own work for critique as well as submitting responses to the class by the deadline. Attendance Policy Dedicated class attendance is essential for learning in this course. Students are expected to attend every class meeting and arrive on time unless absolutely unable due to unusual circumstances. A student should make every effort to contact the instructor prior to the class meeting if he or she will be unable to attend; in some cases (such as the death of a family member or a serious injury to the student), makeup work may be arranged. In general, makeup work will not be allowed, and the absence of completed assignments will decrease the studentÕs final grade. Students will be penalized for more than three absences in the course; five points will be deducted from the final course grade for each absence after three. If you already know that you will need to miss several classes due to extracurricular activities, a job, family responsibilities, or other obligation(s), you should consider taking this course at another time. Roll will be taken at the beginning of the class period. If you arrive after roll is taken, you will be counted absent. If you arrive late for class, you should verify your attendance with the instructor after class. Three tardy arrivals will count as one absence. Winter Forum and Lyceum Events Students may be required to attend several Lyceum and Winter Forum events (to be announced later) that are related to mass communication. Failure to attend the required events will result in a zero as an assignment grade. Deadlines As in any mass communications course, students are being trained to follow the professional standards of the media industry. Deadlines, therefore, are strictly enforced. Out-of-class assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the class period in which they are due, even if the student does not attend class. Late assignments will be accepted but will receive a penalty of 10 points for every 24-hour period past the deadline. As with class attendance, if a student encounters circumstances that prohibit him or her from meeting a deadline, he or she should contact the instructor as soon as possible, but exclusion of a late penalty is never guaranteed. Academic Misconduct Representing another personÕs work as your own violates the collegeÕs Honor Code. Copying homework assignments, cheating on quizzes or exams, lying about sources of information, and plagiarizing on projects all constitute academic misconduct, a serious offense with serious consequences. Cases of academic misconduct will be turned over to the DeanÕs office for investigation and disciplinary measures. The House Rules Respect for fellow students and the instructor are necessary for an enjoyable learning experience. This includes being prompt for class, turning off cellular phones before class, and participating in classroom discussions that foster a healthy exchange of ideas. Tentative Course Schedule Week 1 W 1/12 Introduction to the course F 1/14 Being a Writer Discuss Ch. 1, ÒQualities of Good WritersÓ & Ch. 2, ÒKnowing Your Audience,Ó BIP 3-18 Discuss ÒIntroductionÓ from Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg Be prepared to discuss answers to the questions on pp. 8-9 Week 2 M 1/17 Finding Article Ideas Discuss Ch. 3, ÒFinding Ideas,Ó BIP 19-27 Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA) Discuss writing assignments for the semester W 1/19 Article Proposals Discuss ÒAppendix A: Getting Your Article Into Print,Ó BIP 214-219 Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA) F 1/21 Article Assignment: The In-Depth News Story Discuss Ch. 13, ÒWriting Project and Investigative Stories,Ó BIP 163-186 Week 3 M 1/24 Interviewing Discuss Ch. 4, ÒHuman Sources: Observing and Interviewing,Ó BIP 29-45 Discuss supplemental readings as assigned W 1/26 Information Gathering Discuss Ch. 5, ÒDocumentary Sources: Following Paper (and Computer) Trails, BIP 58-64 Discuss supplemental readings as assigned Deadline: Article #1 proposal F 1/28 Structuring the News Story Discuss Ch. 9, ÒStructuring the Story, BIP 102-121 Discuss Ch. 14, ÒWriting News ThatÕs Fit for Print,Ó WWW 301-316 Week 4 M 1/31 Journalistic Writing Discuss Ch. 7, ÒThe Essence of Good Writing,Ó BIP 65-83 Discuss Ch. 11, ÒWriting as a Journalist,Ó and Ch. 12, ÒConciseness,Ó WWW 221-239 Review ÒWhat To Tighten, A to Z,Ó WWW 240-268 W 2/2 Article Assignment: The Personality Profile Discuss supplemental readings as assigned F 2/4 Article Assignment: The Feature Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA) Week 5 M 2/7 Article Assignment: The Review Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA) W 2/9 Feature Leads Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA) F 2/11 Work Day #1 Week 6 M 2/14 Revising and Editing Discuss Ch. 10, ÒRevising for Publication,Ó BIP 122-134 Discuss the class critique process Deadline: Article #2 proposal W 2/16 WINTER FORUM Deadline: Article #1 draft F 2/18 Critique Day #1 Week 7 M 2/21 Colorful Writing Discuss Ch. 8, ÒCreative Writing Techniques,Ó BIP 84-101 Discuss supplemental readings as assigned W 2/23 Writing Reviews Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA) Deadline: Article #1 final F 2/25 Work Day #2 Week 8 M 2/28 Writing Reviews (continued) Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA) W 3/2 Readings & discussion: TBA Deadline: Article #2 draft F 3/4 Critique Day #2 Week 9 M 3/7 Article Assignment: The Editorial Column Discuss Ch. 14, ÒWriting Opinion and Persuasion,Ó BIP 187-203 Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA) Deadline: Article #3 proposal T 3/8 Lyceum: ÒThe Birth of Southern Living in the 1960s,Ó 7:30 p.m., BOV W 3/9 The Editorial Column (continued) Discuss supplemental readings as assigned (TBA) Deadline: Article #2 final; Article #1 revisions (optional) F 3/11 Work Day #3 Mass Communication Day Workshops F/S March 11-12 E&H Mass Communication Days Week 10 M 3/14 Readings & discussion: TBA Deadline: Article #4 proposal W 3/16 Readings & discussion: TBA Deadline: Article #3 draft F 3/18 Critique Day #3 SPRING BREAK Week 11 M 3/28 EHC CLOSED W 3/30 Readings & discussion: TBA Deadline: Article #3 final; Article #2 revisions (optional) F 4/1 Work Day #4 Week 12 M 4/4 Readings & discussion: TBA W 4/6 Readings & discussion: TBA Deadline: Article #4 draft; Article #5 proposal F 4/8 Critique Day #4 Week 13 M 4/11 Readings & discussion: TBA W 4/13 Readings & discussion: TBA Deadline: Article #4 final; Article #3 revised (optional) F 4/15 Work Day #5 Week 14 M 4/18 Readings & discussion: TBA W 4/20 Readings & discussion: TBA Deadline: Article #5 draft F 4/22 Critique Day #5 Week 15 M 4/25 Readings & discussion: TBA W 4/27 Readings & discussion: TBA Deadline: Article #5 final; Article #4 revised (optional) F 4/29 Work Day Week 16 SS 4/30-5/1 Review Days M-F May 2-6 Final Exams M 5/2 Deadline: Article #5 revised (optional)

About Mass Communication \| News \| Faculty \| Courses \| The Liberal Arts \| Alumni \| Contact us \| Campus media \| EHCWired.com \| EHC-TV \| WEHC-FM \| The Whitetopper Mass Comm Home Emory and Henry College Department of Mass Communications Emory & Henry College P.O. Box 947 Emory, VA 24327-0947 (276) 944-4121 (College's central number)