A practical approach to reporting and writing the news, with emphasis on techniques used in preparing leads, interviews and news story constructions. Study and discussion of professional issues and codes of conduct. Written assignments include hard news stories and features, and collaboration with La Voz del Valle, the Madrid campus hard-copy newspaper.
This is a hands-on course in news writing for undergraduate students who have had little or no previous coursework in journalism.
Through in-class exercises and written assignments (to be handed in on deadline), you will learn the basics of news gathering and story structure, such as how to conduct an interview, write a lead and use quotations.
We will analyze writing during class and use the city of Madrid as our workshop.
The emphasis is on writing for print and on-line media, but the skills developed will also apply to related coursework and careers – in fact, any job that requires quick thinking, clear presentation, good humor and a humble attitude.
II. Objectives:
By the end of this course, you should be able to write more clearly and concisely with sensitivity to the interests and potential questions of your reader.
You should also demonstrate an ability to meet deadlines and develop an awareness of current events and the ethical issues facing journalists.
III. Class Schedule:
Week 1
Thinking like a journalist: Writing from observation not imagination.
Telling a tale vs. impressing your professor.
Asking “stupid” questions.
An introduction to ethics.
The devil in the details.
Read chapters 1, 7 and 11 (Mencher text)
Week 2
How do you know what’s news?
How do reporters gather news?
About sources: from the mayor to the man-on-the-street. Mock press conference.
Read chapters 3 and 10
Due: Take-home observation exercise (pass/fail)
Week 3
Writing the lead, using quotes and attributions.
Introduction to writing on deadline or Why the clock is your best friend.
Read chapter 5
Due: Color story
Week 4
Structuring the hard news story (the inverted pyramid, the 5Ws, summarizing) and story genres (conflict, horse-race, trends, reaction).
Read chapters 2 and 6
Week 5
Structuring the feature story: the nutgraff, use of anecdotes and finding a theme.
Read: Chapter 8 and The Elements of Style
Due: Reaction story
Week 6
Interviewing techniques and preparation for in-class interview.
Read: Chapter 14-15 (Interviewing Principals and Practices)
Due: Letter from Madrid
Week 7
In-class interview and deadline writing
Due: list of questions and sources for enterprise story, revisions of first two stories
Week 8
In-class writing of profile.
Week 9
Obituaries, accidents and crime.
Read: Chapters 18-20
Due: Interview/profile
Week 10
Attention to language: Verbs vs. Adjectives; Avoiding euphemisms, jargon and alphabet soup. In praise of short sentences.
Read: hand-outs, exercises, AP Stylebook
Due: Obit
Week 11
Ethics and professional conduct revisited, debate on objectivity
Read: Chapters 25-27
Due: Enterprise story
Week 12
News analysis: Comparison of English language media, comparison of Spanish and American media.
Read: hand-outs
Due: revisions of Obit and Profile
Week 13
Libel and privacy, differences in Spanish and American media.
