JRN 102 - News Writing

Credits: 3
Instructional Contact Hours: 3

Studies fundamental principles of gathering information and writing basic news stories for print and digital publication. Emphasizes the elements of news, the lead, Associated Press style, news sources and structures of news stories. Credit may be earned in only one of: JRN 102 or ENG 116.

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 30 Lab Hours: 15
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of gathering news.

A. Apply observation skills at a news event.
B. Apply interviewing skills with a news source.
C. Apply research skills in the library and online

2. Demonstrate understanding of basic journalistic formats.

A. Distinguish between fact and opinion.
B. Recognize elements of news including importance, timeliness, consequence, conflict, humor, the unusual, prominence, proximity and human interest.
C. Evaluate accuracy of reporting and writing.

3. Apply concepts and principles of news writing.

A. Explain parts of a news story: lead, body.
B. Explain the inverted pyramid format.
C. Report information with balanced and objective treatment

4. Write in journalistic style.

A. Organize information according to priority.
B. Compose basic news stories for a variety of print and digital platforms including: single incident story, coming event, accident, fire disaster, speech, obituary, and feature profile.
C. Edit stories in Associated Press style.

5. Evaluate written work.

A. Critique own writing.
B. Critique writing of classmates, both orally and in writing.