JRN 101 - Introduction to Reporting and Media Writing [SUN# JRN 2201]

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Introduction to storytelling in a variety of news media contexts and platforms. Includes journalism as a career, the journalist and the organization of the newsroom, defining news, news style, elements of a news story, fundamentals of writing news, and news gathering and reporting. Also includes organizing and writing the story, revision of stories, and ethics, libel and media law.

Prerequisite(s): WRT 090 or required score on the writing assessment test.
Gen-Ed: Meets CTE - OTHER.

Course Learning Outcomes

Apply news values and evaluate news coverage.
Display news-gathering, research, note-taking, and interviewing skills.
Apply Associated Press style in the writing of a variety of stories.
Apply the principles of ethics and media law.

Outline:

Defining News
1. News values
2. Four Ws
3. Roles of news media in society
News Gathering and Reporting
1. Interviews
2. Observation
3. Documents
4. Note taking
5. Sources
News Style and Writing
1. AP Stylebook
2. Elements of a news story
3. Leads and ledes
4. Spelling, punctuating, capitalization, grammar
5. Inverted pyramid and hourglass
Ethics and Media Law
1. Libel
2. Public vs. privacy
3. Freedom of Information Act
4. Open meetings law
5. Public’s right to know
6. Reporter shield laws

Effective Term:
Full Academic Year 2021-2022