Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
COURSE COMPACT
2018/2019 Academic Session
Faculty: Social Sciences Department: Mass Communication
Course Code: MAC 112 Unit(s): 2 Semester: Second
Course Title: Writing For The Mass Media II
Lecturer: Dr. Chinenye Nwabueze Programme: B.Sc.
(A). BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE
This course is designed to train students on how to write for the various mass media – newspapers, magazines, radio, television, online news platforms. It provides practical and informative knowledge on various forms of mass media writing – straight news report, features, editorial, opinion articles, etc. but focuses on developing the skills of students on how to write news from various key sources – personal, stored and observation sources. It further develops the skills of students on how to source for and write hard and soft news, headline and lead writing, including knowledge of elements of journalistic style.
(B). COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS
By the end of this course, students will have learned:
- Meaning of news, news values and elements
- Various forms of mass media writing
- How to write straight news report for various mass media
- Elements of journalistic style
- Key sources of news –personal, stored and observation source
- Basic interview skills and how to write stories from interviews and press release
(C). METHOD OF LECTURE DELIVERY
- Lectures
- Indoor Quizzes
- Outdoor Quizzes (Assignments)
- Practical Classroom Sessions
COURSE OUTLINE
- Introduction
Definition of concepts (news, news writing, news reporting, mass media)
Kinds of news
News values
News elements
Identifying elements in a news story
- Sources of News
Personal
Stored
Observation
- Attributing Information to Sources
How to attribute
When to Attribute
Types of Attribution (On the record, off record, Background, On deep background)
- Inverted Pyramid Style
What is inverted pyramid style of writing?
How to write a story using inverted pyramid style
- Forms of Mass Media Writing
Straight news report
Feature story
Editorial
Opinion article
- Headline Writing
Defining headline
Principles of headline writing for straight news reports
Writing the headline (practical exercise)
- Writing the lead
What is lead?
Kinds of lead
How to write the lead
- Elements of Journalistic Style
What is writing style?
Kinds of writing style
Factors that influence writing style
Difference between house style and personal style
- Basic interviewing skill
What is interview?
Kinds of interview
How to write news from an interview
- Writing Exercise continues
Writing headlines
Writing the lead
Writing news
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Scanlan, C. (2014). News Writing and Reporting: The Complete Guide for Today’s Journalist. Oxford: University Press.
Nwabueze, C. (2015). Reporting: Principles, Approaches, Special Beats (2nd Edition). Owerri: Topshelve.
IMPORTANT LINKS
Click on the following links to read articles;
How to use attribution correctly as a reporter
How to write broadcast news stories
