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JOUR 1010

Media Writing

Fall 2012: MWF 9 a.m. 9:50 a.m.

Georgia State University

Instructor

Katherine TippinsOne Park Place #1057Email: Please email me through uLearn or ktippins1@gsu.edu.

Office Hours: By appointment.

Course description

This is a basic course designed to introduce you to the principles and techniques of news writing and

reporting in a multimedia context. Assignments are designed to provide practical, real-world experienceand insights into professional journalism practice. The material covered in this course will apply to print

broadcast and online journalism.

Course objectives: Upon completion of this course, you should have attained the knowledge andunderstanding of the following areas of journalism:

Fundamental principles and techniques of journalistic reporting and writing, including storycomponents, structure, origination and forms as they relate to print, broadcast and electronic

news media.

Accurate detection of problems in style, attribution, grammar, spelling, news judgment,editing, fairness, storytelling and libel/ethics.

Effective writing under time constraints.Students completing this course with a passing grade should possess the news writing skillsnecessary for the more advanced studies in journalistic writing.

Required Texts:

Writing and Reporting the Newsby Jerry Lanson and Mitchell Stephens The Associated Press Stylebook(latest edition) In addition, youll be expected to keep abreast of current events in the world at large either

by reading a newspaper or a credible news site.

Course requirements

News stories (3 @ 100 points) 300 points

Tests (1 @100 points) 100 points

AP style quizzes (5 @ 40 points apiece) 200 pointsIn-class and homework (20 @ 20 points apiece) 400 points

1,000 points

Grading

Because editing and rewriting are an essential part of routine daily journalism, you will have opportunities to

improve your work by rewrite. I do not give partial credit; grades will always be reflected in whole numbers.Rewrites are required for those stories that receive less than a grade of B (below 80 points). Final grades for

stories will be the average of the first submission and the rewrite. If you do not turn in a required rewrite, yourfinal grade for the story will be the average of the first submission's grade and a zero.

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Special note on earning an A: Practicing good mechanical fundamentals is an essential professional skill andthe mark of a disciplined writer. A written assignment that contains even a single mechanical error (defined as

an error in spelling, AP style, punctuation or grammar) is not eligible for an A (though the assignment may beupgraded to an A on a rewrite).

Special note on failing grades: Consistent with assignment policies specified below, there are only four

ways to fail an assignment in this class:

1. You miss the deadline for the assignment (this includes not doing in-class work or not getting ahomework assignment).

2. You dont turn in a rewrite as required.

3. You spell a name wrong.

4. You get a fact wrong.

Grades: The final grades for the course will be cumulative points earned as follows

Point Total Letter Grade

970-1,000 A+

940-969 A

900-939 A-870-899 B+

840-869 B

800-839 B-

770-799 C+

740-769 C

700-739 C-

600-699 D

0-599 F

Withdraw WF

Statement on academic honesty

The Georgia State University policy on academic honesty is incorporated by reference into this syllabus. The

claiming of another persons work as ones own will not be tolerated. It is unprofessional and dishonest. Atmost media outlets, it will get you fired. And it will result in an F for the course. Stealing someone elseswritten work in whole or in partis plagiarism and will result in an F for the course.

Assignment policies

GENERAL: The AP style quizzes will be done in-class using the AP Stylebook. Other homework and in-class

exercises will use other resources. You must be in class to receive these assignments. Unless you are on auniversity-sponsored absence or have a verifiable emergency,you will not be permitted to make up an in-class

assignment or a missed homework assignment.

FORMATS: Unless otherwise specified, ALL assignments must be written on a computer in Times Roman 12-point type, double spaced, one-inch margins all around. Paragraphs should be indented and there should not be

an extra space between paragraphs. All stories should be at least 500 words long; I will deduct 10 points fromstories that are less than 500 words. The word count is for the story itself and does not include byline or

pagination requirements. uLearn submissions MUST be Microsoft Word attachments.

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STORY SLUGS: In journalism, a storys file name is called a slug. In order for me to keep track of all theULearn submissions, your assignments MUST have a slug that identifies you and the assignment. This format

will work: _.doc

BYLINES and PAGINATION: Forall assignment, type your byline at the beginning:

1010 Staff Writer

In addition, put the following notations at the bottom of each page of the assignment: If the assignmentcontinues to another page, typeMORE. On the last page of the assignment, type either-30- or# # #.

All story topics must be approved by the instructor. Not following the format, slug or byline/pagination

guidelines will result in a 1/2 letter grade deduction for EACH instance. Submitting a file in something otherthan Microsoft Word will result in no credit for the assignment. You are required to provide proof of your

contact with sources. At least TWO sources are required per story (three is better). On the last page of yourstory, please provide full names, titles, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of your sources. Be careful to

ensure that this information is accurate; it is part of your assignment and therefore subject to cause

failure from a misspelled name or erroneous phone number. Use the GSU directory located at the top

right corner of the homepage (www.gsu.edu) to locate contact information for GSU sources. You are

welcome to use sources outside of GSU if their contribution is relevant to your story. However, I requirethe correct contact information of non-GSU sources as well.

DEADLINES: As they are in professional practice, deadlines in this class are absolute. Unless otherwisespecified, all assignments are due on in uLearn at the specified time on the day theyre due. Not meeting a

deadline means you fail the assignment. The only exception is if you arrange an alternative with me beforehandor, in the case of emergency, as soon as possible afterward. Note that emergency is strictly defined and doesnt

include things like having to work, hangovers, missing a flight or comforting your roommate because shecaught her boyfriend cheating. Again. Please note that computer problems DO NOT constitute a valid

reason for missing a deadline. Make sure you have everything in order for uLearn to work properly on

your computer. Make an alternate plan and use it if your computer crashes, your Internet goes down or

your software becomes corrupted. Here's Plan B: If uLearn is truly malfunctioning, take a screenshot ofthe error and sent it, along with the assignment, to ktippins.gsu@gmail.com. I will not accept assignments

through Gmail without the screenshot. If you do not know how to take a screenshot (PC or Mac) see me

and I'll be happy to show you. If uLearn malfunctions, the deadline still stands. If your screenshot shows

a timestamp that's past the deadline, I will not accept the assignment. If you email me the assignment and

screenshot AFTER the deadline, I will not accept the assignment. So, begin the process of turning in your

assignment with enough time allotted to use Plan B if needed.

Miscellaneous policies

The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time.

Attendance: Attendance in this course is crucial. You can miss three class periods without penalty, butany more than that and youre subject to a one-half letter grade deduction for each absence thereafter.

That penalty generally wont be enforced for excused absences (defined here as those related to healthor child care that may cause you to miss class). You must be present for the entire class to receive

attendance credit. Leaving midway through the period means, for attendance purposes, that you

were not here at all. Also, students are not permitted to leave the classroom during tests or quizzes.

Students may leave after the test or quiz is completed and turned in.

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Make up work: If you are absent on the date of an in-class assignment, I can arrange a makeup if youlet me know of a conflict beforehand. A written document showing a valid excuse for missing the

assignment automobile accident, death in the family, etc.

Classroom computer use: Do not use computers yours or the workstations during class for anyreason unless directed to do so. Youll get one warning. After that, each occurrence will mean one third

of a letter grade deducted from your final grade.

Classroom policies: In order to create a collaborative, safe and effective learning environment, and toprepare you for professional life, the following classroom policies will be in effect throughout the

semester:

Turn off or silence all cell phones, pagers and text messaging devices; DO NOT eat or drink at your workstation.

Tentative Schedule

The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course, which is subject to change at short notice.

Monday, Aug. 20

Introduction and course overview; basics of good journalismWednesday, Aug. 22

Introduction to Associated Press StyleFriday, Aug. 24

The writing process; clear writingMonday, Aug. 27

The language of newso Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch. 3

Wednesday, Aug. 29

News judgmento Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch. 1o Assignment

HW 1 (Exercise 3A, p. 43) via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 8/28Friday, Aug. 31

News judgment continuedo Reading: AP Stylebook, Statement of News Valueso Assignment

HW 2 (Exercise 1A, p. 16) Via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 8/30

Monday, Sept. 3 Labor Day Holiday - No Class

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Wednesday, Sept. 5

Fairnesso Reading: Lanson /Stephens, Ch. 2o Assignment

HW 3 (Exercise 2A, p. 27) Via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 9/4

Friday, Sept. 7

Verb tenses and usage; phrases and clauses; commaso Reading: Lanson/Stephens, pages 494-497; AP Stylebook, Guide to Punctuationo Assignment

HW 4 (Exercise CB, p. 499) Via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 9/6Monday, Sept. 10

Lede writing; interviewingo Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch. 4o Assignments

HW 5 (Exercise 4A, p. 65) via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 9/9Wednesday, Sept. 12

More lede writing; interviewing Lede 1 through Lede 5 (in-class)

Friday, Sept. 14

More lede writing; interviewingo Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch. 16

Lede 6 (Exercise B-1, p. 66) via uLearn by 11:45 p.m., 9/13Monday, Sept. 17

Attributiono Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch 6o Assignment

HW 6 (Exercise 6A, p. 100) due via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 9/16

Wednesday, Sept. 19

Quotingo Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch 7o Assignments

Interviewing/Quoting exercises (in class) 9 HW 7 (Exercise 7A, p. 114) due via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 9/18

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Friday, Sept. 21

Story organizationo Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch. 8 & 9o Assignments

HW 8 (Exercise 9B, p. 147) due via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 9/20

Monday, Sept. 24

Factso Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch. 12o Assignments

HW 9 (Exercise 12B, p. 196) due via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 9/23Wednesday, Sept. 26

Story originationo Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch. 13o Assignments

HW 10 (Exercise 13B, p. 212) due via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 9/25Friday, Sept. 28

Researcho Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch. 14o Assignments

HW 11 (Exercise 14B, p. 229) due via uLearn by 11:45 p.m. 9/27Monday, Oct. 1

Sourceso Reading: Lanson/Stephens, Ch. 15o Assignments

In class exerciseWednesday, Oct. 3

Ethics

o Reading: Lanson/Stephens, pages 511-514o Assignments

In class exercise

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Friday, Oct. 5

Lawo Reading: Lanson/Stephens, pages 515-519, AP Stylebook, Briefing on Media Lawo Assignments

In class exercise

Monday, Oct. 8

AP Styleo Reading: Lanson/Stephens, pages 486-491o Assignments

HW 12 (Exercise BA, p. 492) due via ULearn by 11:45 p.m. 10/7Wednesday, Oct. 10

AP Styleo Reading: TBAo Assignments

In class exerciseFriday, Oct. 12

AP Styleo Reading: TBAo Assignments

In class exerciseMonday, Oct. 15

AP Style Quiz 1Wednesday, Oct. 17

Review of Quiz 1Friday, Oct. 19

In class writing day - Story 1: MEET ONLINEMonday, Oct. 22

STORY 1 due via uLearn by 8:50 a.m.Wednesday, Oct. 24

AP Style Quiz 2Friday, Oct. 26

Story 1 rewrites due by 11:45 p.m.: MEET ONLINE

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Monday, Oct. 29

Review of Quiz 2Wednesday, Oct. 31

AP Style Quiz 3Friday, Nov. 2

In class writing day - Story 2: MEET ONLINEMonday, Nov. 5

STORY 2 due via uLearn by 8:50 a.m.: MEET ONLINE Wednesday, Nov. 7

Review of Quiz 3Friday, Nov. 9

Story 2 rewrites due by 11:45 p.m.Monday, Nov. 12

AP Style Quiz 4Wednesday, Nov. 14

Review of Quiz 4Friday, Nov. 16

In class writing day - Story 3: MEET ONLINE

Monday, Nov. 19 Friday, Nov. 23 Thanksgiving Holiday - No Class

Monday, Nov. 26

STORY 3 due via uLearn by 8:50 a.m.Wednesday, Nov. 28

AP Style Quiz 5Friday, Nov. 30

Story 3 rewrites due by 11:45 p.m.: MEET ONLINEMonday, Dec. 3

Review of Quiz 5 Review for final

EXAM Friday, Dec. 7 at 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.