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COURSE OUTLINE Journalism
2023 2003-2004 Tuesdays
2:30 - 5:30 Philip
Lee
Journalism is the art of storytelling, the creation of literature on the run. This course will introduce you to the world of non-fiction, journalistic writing. The course is writing intensive. You will write news stories and feature stories, developing stories from the generation of ideas through the research and writing process. Classes will include lectures, field assignments, group discussions and group writing critiques both in the classroom and in online discussion forums. You will be encouraged to read your writing to the class. Your goal is to tell compelling stories in clear, clean language. Required Texts Zinsser, William Knowlton. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction Globe and Mail Style Book: Guide to Language and Usage William Strunk and E.B. White. The Elements of Style Course Requirements/Evaluation Writing portfolio,
including journal and online critiques 50% Writing assignments/Online discussion forum During the semester, you will be asked to complete informal writing assignments and post them on an online discussion forum. These assignments will include drafts of stories that you work on over a number of weeks. During the semester you will also be asked to keep a daily journal in journalistic style. This journal is not a personal diary, but a creative exercise in recording observations in a journalistic style. Writing Portfolio A complete portfolio of your writing during the semester must be submitted at the end of term. The portfolio will include your journal entries and all drafts of your work. Final stories You will be asked to submit one final news story and one final feature story that will be developed during the semester. These stories will require field work and research. Attendance, deadlines and participation Attendance is required. Deadlines are mandatory. Journalists must meet deadlines; late work will not be accepted. Participation involves taking part in group discussions and writing critiques and presenting your work to the class. The consequences of missing classes and deadlines will be discussed at our first meeting. SCHEDULE September 9 Introduction and
Organization September 16 WRITING DEADLINE: Introduction to interviewing: The listener September 23 WRITING DEADLINE: Introduction to
research: The investigator September 30 WRITING DEADLINE: The news story: Getting started October 7 WRITING DEADLINE: The news story: Clutter October 14 WRITING DEADLINE: The news story: Organization October 28 WRITING DEADLINE The news story: Rewriting November 4 WRITING DEADLINE: The news feature:
Story structure November 11 REMEMBRANCE DAY - CLASS CANCELLED - UNIVERSITY CLOSED November 18 WRITING DEADLINE: The news feature: Rewriting November 25 WRITING DEADLINE: The Art of Fact: Non-fiction reconsidered December 2 WRITING DEADLINE: The Art of Story Telling |