module specification

You will gain the basic skills required to write clear, grammatically correct and concise journalistic copy across a range of media platforms. Practical skills will be taught by examining good journalistic practice across all platforms, including social media. Interview skills will be taught through reporting tasks. These will be set within the context of current affairs and ongoing media debates. This module aims to:

• Equip students with the ability to write copy to a publishable standard with no factual or grammatical errors;
• Aid students in using sources to construct clear and accurate factual written articles
• Develop research skills across printed, electronic and primary sources.
• Improve understanding of grammar, punctuation and spelling

None. Study Abroad? NO

This module will focus on training students to write stories to a publishable standard. Topics include:

• Grammar course, focusing on sentence construction, tenses, use of capital letters, how to punctuate direct and grab quotes, simplifying language, cutting jargon and avoiding comment in news pieces;[LO2,LO4]
• House style – comparing house styles of different newspapers and magazines, basic house style rules for all media in the UK applying these styles to news stories; [ LO1, LO3,LO4]
• Identifying  appropriate and trusted sources of information suitable for new stories; [LO1, LO4]

One three hour session per week of blended learning comprising of instruction, student-centred individual and group tasks, and formative assessments.  There will be a combination of lectures, reviews of out-of-class work/reading, practical writing and design exercises and student presentations.  Students will work individually to complete tasks with the support of a tutor as well as work in groups/pairs to feedback on each other’s work and to research presentations. To encourage reflective learning, students will complete a learning journal at the end of each session, which will be graded.

On successful completion of this module, You will be able to:

1. Recognise and select important, relevant and newsworthy facts from written and verbal sources, using appropriate skills or techniques;
2. Report these to a publishable standard free from grammar and factual errors;
3. Identify the different approaches and styles of various news sources, including print, broadcast and online.
4. Create accurate, clear, vigorous and balanced news stories, in a form that will attract and interest the reader, viewer or listener for print, online and social media;

A combination of coursework, in-class tests, presentations and journal entries.

All assessments meet all learning outcomes.

Summative assessments:

Writing coursework – writing portfolio 1,000 words

Comprising of fact-checking a news story (350 words), writing a profile of a guest speaker 350 words and a reflection essay (300 words)

In-class test on sub-editing: 1 hour (200 words)

Weekly Journal recording contribution in class, carrying out formative assessments and demonstrating reflective practice.

https://londonmet.rl.talis.com/modules/sj3002.html

The most important reading will be online and of current journalism

Core:

Truss, L. (2003). Eats, Shoots and Leaves. London. Profile Books

Evans, H. (Revised edition, 2000) Essential English for Journalists, Editors and Writers. London. Random House Ltd

Additional:

Davies, N. (2008) Flat Earth News. London. Random House Ltd

Harcup, T. (2015) Journalism Principles and Practice: London.  Sage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/journalism 

https://en.support.wordpress.com

http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/

https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk

http://impress.press

https://www.ipso.co.uk/IPSO/index.html

https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk

https://www.journalism.co.uk