SM3057 - Writing for Media (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Writing for Media | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Foundation (03) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module introduces students to the basics of writing for the media and explores how to perform well in the digital media world. It also provides an introduction to academic study skills, including writing an essay, Harvard referencing and other topics necessary to do well in a university setting.
You will learn the basic skills required to write clear, grammatically correct, and concise journalistic copy across a range of media platforms. You will learn how to write an academic essay using relevant research and use of Harvard referencing. You will learn practical skills by examining good journalistic practice across all platforms, including social media. Interview skills will be taught through reporting tasks. You will focus on learning how to write stories to a publishable standard.
Topics will include: grammar, focusing on sentence construction, tenses, use of capital letters, how to punctuate direct quotes, how to simplify language, cutting jargon and avoiding comment in news pieces. You will learn the meaning of house style, comparing different media. You will also learn how to write an intro and how to craft your writing for the ever-changing world of social media.
You will also receive a basic grounding in journalistic law and ethics, looking at both the history of the industry and the news of the day.
Syllabus
This module will focus on training students to write stories to a publishable standard and put them on air using standard news principles of editing, addressing and interviewing following industry standard guidelines.
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 media, 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 news stories;[LO1, LO4]
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
This module provides a mix of learning and teaching activities. Since you are new to the subject there is a certain amount of lecturing on theory, but always followed by a practical activity – where possible a simulation of a real-life journalistic activity, such as how to research a story or interview.
You might also leave the campus to conduct vox pops, or interviews on a given subject with members of the public or other students and lecturers chosen at random within the campus.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
1. Be able to 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