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58112 Reporting and Editing for Print and Online Journalism

UTS: Communication: Journalism Information and Media Learning
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 58110 Introduction to Journalism
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject develops skills in research and reporting and introduces editing for online and print media. Students extend their abilities as reporters by developing more advanced research skills and interviewing and writing techniques appropriate for the production of longer stories. Students are introduced to basic skills and strategies for the editing and publishing of stories for publication. They learn to shape stories for specific audiences by writing introductions, headlines, captions and adding links and other online elements. Students develop an appreciation of the importance of accuracy and clarity for publishing and consider ethical and legal implications that arise during the publishing process. Throughout the semester, students develop their ability to critically analyse contemporary news and current affairs practices in local and international contexts. They publish reflections on their own and others' journalism practice in their ePortfolios. On UTS's NewsDay, students research, write and edit stories to deadlines in a newsroom environment.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

  1. analyse news stories written for print and online publication
  2. evaluate the complex interplay between writing and editing
  3. apply copy-editing skills appropriate to target audiences

  4. consider legal and ethical implications in the publishing process
  5. reflect on their own practice

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject makes a major contribution to students'capacity to apply their knowledge and skills; manage projects; and work ethically. It makes a minor contribution to their capacity to think analytically and work collaboratively.

Teaching and learning strategies

Reporting and editing for print and online journalism will include lectures, tutorials, and workshops. Students will also develop an individual blog to reflect on all aspects of reporting and editing for a changing media environment.

Students will learn and apply a range of reporting and editing skills from researching and writing news features, selecting stories and editing them for publication in print and online. Editing includes appropriate hyperlinking, headline and caption writing, image sourcing and basic layout for print and online publication within an ethical and legal framework.

Class activities will include workshops and quizzes on legal and ethical issues in publishing journalism.

Content

  • News and news feature writing
  • Fundamentals of sub-editing
  • Legal implications of publishing
  • Ethical issues in media production
  • Analyses of issues in journalism

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Two News Stories

Objective(s): a, b, e
Weighting: 15%
Length: 450 words each
Task: Students must write two news stories and submit for assessment one of these news stories they write and edit in the first four weeks. Identify, research, write and edit two news stories of 450 words. The stories must be edited to a supplied style guide.
Assessment criteria:
  • Newsworthiness
  • Accuracy of reporting
  • Fairness of reporting
  • Clarity of English
  • Accuracy in application of text style
  • Accuracy in copy-editing

Assessment item 2: News Feature

Objective(s): b, e
Weighting: 20%
Length: 800 words
Task: Students research and write an 800-word news feature and source images for the story. This story is then edited to style, with two headlines (one for a print and one for online publication.
Assessment criteria:
  • Accuracy of reporting
  • Fairness of reporting
  • Quality and range of sources
  • Attention to detail in copy-editing
  • Accuracy in application of text style
  • Aptness of headlines
  • Quality of sourced images

Assessment item 3: Editing for Print and Online Publication

Objective(s): c, d, e
Weighting: 35%
Task: Working in teams and using the bank of stories and images filed by the class students will select and edit a story or stories for presentation on a print publication and on an online publication page. Editing includes decision making on story selection, writing headlines, captions and stand-firsts. It may also mean sourcing extra images. Specifications for the target print and online publications will be supplied in tutorials.
Assessment criteria:
  • Aptness of story selection
  • Aptness of style for medium
  • Quality of images and their placement
  • Accuracy of copy-editing
  • Aptness of headlines and captions
  • Target audience awareness
  • Creativity of presentation
  • Legal soundness

Assessment item 4: Blog

Objective(s): c, e, f
Weighting: 30%
Length: Minimum 13 entries
Task: To analyse and reflect on your own reporting and editing. To also research, analyse and reflect on reporting and editing across a range of print and online outlets. In both scenarios, reflection and analysis should be applied to reporting skills, language use and editing practices. Reflections on current environments and issues in the worlds of online and print media should also be included in the blog.
Assessment criteria:
  • Depth of reflection on practices
  • Justification of publishing decisions

Minimum requirements

Attendance is important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. Students who fail to attend 85% of classes may be refused permission to have their final assessment item assessed (see Rule 3.8). An attendance roll will be taken at each class. Where possible, students should advise the tutor in a timely manner if they are unable to attend.

In order to pass the subject, students need to pass each task. The lecturer has the right to ask students to resubmit.

Recommended text(s)

URLs:

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/contentmakers/

http://www.macloo.com/webwriting/

http://www.theslot.com/

http://www.poynter.org/www.poynter.org

http://www.copydesk.org/

http://www.grammarbook.com/

http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/?view=uk?view=uk

http://www.britannica.com/timelines

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elements_of_Style

http://www.journalism.org/resources/j_tools

http://www.smh.com.au/

http://design2-0.com/articles/online-news-design-awful-or-brilliant/

Indicative references

Alysen, B. Sedorkin, G. & Oakham, M. with Patching, R. 2003, Reporting in a Multimedia World, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.

Bruns, A. 2006, Wikinews: The Next Generation of Alternative Online News? Scan Journal, Macquarie University, Vol 3 (1), Sydney.

Conley, D. Lamble, S. (eds) 2006, The Daily Miracle, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Dykes, B. 2007, Grammar For Everyone. ACER Press, Victoria.

Frazell, D. F., Tuck, G. 1996, Principles of Editing: A Comprehensive Guide for Students and Journalists. McGraw Hill, New York.

Harrower, T. 2002, The Newspaper Designer's Handbook, (fifth edition), McGraw Hill, London & New York.

Hicks, W., Holmes, T. 2002, Subediting for Journalists, Routledge, London & New York.

Lockwood, K. 2005, Style The Essential Guide. News Custom Publishing.

Quinn, S. 2002, Digital Sub-editing and Design, Focal Press, London.

Sellers, L. 1985, The Simple Subs Book, Pergamon Press, Oxford.

Stevens, L. 2006, Online news design - awful or brilliant?

Simons, M. 2007, The Content Makers, Penguin, Melbourne.

Stevens, L. 2006, Breaking the rules in news design.

Strunk, W. and White, E.G. 1972, The Elements of Style, Macmillian, New York.