Module Details

Module Code: JOUR9001
Title: Writing for Media
Long Title: Writing for Media
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2018/19 ( September 2018 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3210 - Journalism
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module aims to give students a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of writing for contemporary media. It will also enable students to learn the techniques and principles of Media Content Creation. The module will develop students' storytelling skills and their ability to source content, develop stories and build good contacts.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Construct, design and prepare clear and concise stories
LO2 Describe, analyse and critically evaluate differing sources of media content and develop appropriate copy based on identified requirements and for specific audiences
LO3 Assume a role within a media content creation team and manage the delivery of work to an industry standard and to specified deadlines
LO4 Classify, describe and critically evaluate the difference between diverse forms of media writing (ie broadsheet vs tabloid print, TV, radio and online)
LO5 Overcome common writing faults and have an expert knowledge of grammar and language structure
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
General Writing Skills
The principles of good writing. How to achieve clarity in writing. Common writing faults. Punctuation and grammar. Sentence structure and word order, how the order can affect the meaning; common writing faults; grammar and punctuation – common faults identified, dos and don’ts; stylebooks and house styles; adapting the style to suit the market.
Writing for Media
The principles of journalism media writing. The inverted pyramid style of writing. Structure and composition of the news story. Developing the story. Developing the news angle. Identifying house styles. Using quotes. Press releases, writing copy for advertising and marketing
Storytelling and Content Creation
Sourcing and researching local, national and international stories with political, economic and social dimensions. Creating media content for marketing, public relations and advertising. Creating written content for social media.
Developing Narratives
Finding new angles on running stories; Balance - getting the other side of a story to ensure balance and fairness; Comprehensiveness: presenting stories in a coherent, logical and readable manner. Cognitive: being able to evaluate information and using a weighting process to prioritise the placing of items of information in a story. Using the media, using the Internet; using the library.
Contacts and Sources of News
Establishing and maintaining an orderly and comprehensive contacts book; developing contacts as potential sources of news. Developing a professional awareness of news values. Resource material: press releases, company and financial reports. Interviewing. Internet research: critical evaluation of Internet-derived information.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2,4,5
Assessment Description
Written coursework - series of media writing assignments
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,5
Assessment Description
Written coursework- a series of content creation tasks, including in-class tests of writing skills
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 30
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,5
Assessment Description
Content creation project
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lectures on the essential skills of content creation Every Week 1.50 1.5
Tutorial Contact One-on-one tutorials with learners Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Learners practice of content creation Every Week 4.50 4.5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.50
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • David Randall. (2016), The universal journalist, Pluto Press, London, [ISBN: 0745336760].
  • Tony Harcup,. (2015), Journalism, 3rd Edition. Sage Publications, London, [ISBN: 1473930332].
  • Wynford Hicks. (2013), English for Journalists, 4th Edition. Routledge, London, [ISBN: 0415661722].
  • Stuart Allan. (2006), Online News: Journalism and the Internet, Open University Press, Maidenhead and New York, [ISBN: 0335221211].
  • Andrew Marr. (2016), My Trade, Pan, London, [ISBN: 978-15098225].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Harold Evans. (2000), Essential English, Pimlico, London, [ISBN: 0712664475].
  • Bob Franklin... [et al.]. (2005), Key concepts in journalism studies, Sage, London, [ISBN: 0761944826].
  • Kim Fletcher. (2012), The Journalist's Handbook, [ISBN: 1405040882].
  • Dr Natalie Fenton (Editor). (2010), New Media, Old News, Sage, [ISBN: 1847875742].
  • Richard Keeble. (2014), The newspapers handbook, Routledge, London, [ISBN: 041566652X].
  • edited by Stuart Allan. (2005), Journalism, Open University Press, Maidenhead, [ISBN: 0335214754].
  • Ian Hargreaves. (2003), Journalism - Truth or Dare, Routledge, London, [ISBN: 0192802747].
  • Brian McNair. (1999), Journalism and democracy, Routledge, London, [ISBN: 0415212790].
  • Tim Pat Coogan. (2008), A memoir, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, [ISBN: 0297851101].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HJDCC_9 Master of Arts in Journalism and Digital Content Creation 1 Mandatory