Module Details

Module Code: JOUR9002
Title: Features and Web Writing
Long Title: Features and Web Writing
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 deals with complex writing structures, such as feature writing, colour writing and the written-up interview. The module also deals with online writing and new media and how writing for the web differs from writing for print media. It also explores convergence journalism, which involves new styles of journalistic presentation and the journalism of the future.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Communicate clearly in the written word in a range of increasingly complex writing structures
LO2 Construct to industry standard feature articles and colour articles in a range of styles, from lifestyle features and news features to written up interviews
LO3 Conduct media interviews with a professional news sense and write up the material in various interview formats
LO4 Construct dynamic written material for an online environment
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
Feature Writing
Difference between news and feature writing. Developing the feature intro. Maintaining the news angle. Different types of feature writing (e.g. colour, news features, opinion pieces, backgrounders). The ‘new journalism’ and its influence on feature writing.
Interviewing and other Writing Formats
How to prepare for and write interviews. The history of interviewing. Written up interviews vs Q&A. Human interest stories; writing for specialist audiences - reviewing and sports writing. Writing for social media channels - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest
Storytelling
Using the conventions of fiction and screenwriting in feature/corporate/brand writing; inverted pyramid format vs Freytag's Pyramid.
Writing for a Digital Format
How writing for digital media differs from writing for print media. Online media platforms. The language of the web. Choosing the right words, functions of words. The role of the editor. Writing pages with purpose. The look of the web page. Writing for search engines.
Convergence Journalism
The convergence of media platforms. New styles of journalistic presentation. The combining of traditional platforms of print, radio, photography and moving images. The journalism of the future.
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
Assessment Description
Coursework - feature writing assignment
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 1,3
Assessment Description
Coursework - interview assignment
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Assessment Description
Coursework - feature, news and online writing assignment
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 Lecture on the essential skills of feature and online writing 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 feature and online writing skills 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
  • J.D. Applen. (2013), Writing for the Web, Routledge, New York and London, [ISBN: 9780415883269].
  • Christopher Silvester,. (1994), The Penguin Book of Interviews, [ISBN: 0140154086].
  • (by) Tom Wolfe; with an anthology edited by Tom Wolfe and E. W. Johnson. (1975), The new journalism, Pan Books, London, [ISBN: 0330243152].
  • Sally Adams,. (2009), Interviewing for Journalists, [ISBN: 0415477751].
  • Janet Kolodzy. (2006), Convergence journalism, Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Md., [ISBN: 0742538869].
  • Stuart Allan. (2006), Online News: Journalism and the Internet, Open University Press, New York, [ISBN: 0335221211].
  • Robert McKee. (2018), Storynomics: Story-Driven Marketing in the Post-Advertising World, Twelve, p.272, [ISBN: 1538727935].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • John Yorke. (2013), Into the Woods: How Stories Work and Why we tell them, Penguin Random House, UK, [ISBN: 9780141978109].
  • Robert Fisk,. (2006), Great War for Civilisation, The, Harper Perennial, [ISBN: 1841150088].
  • Susan Pape, Susan Featherstone. (2006), Feature Writing, [ISBN: 1412908000].
  • Jenny McKay. (2005), The magazines handbook, [ISBN: 0415371376].
  • edited by Richard Keeble. (2005), Print journalism, [ISBN: 0415358825].
  • Richard Keeble. (2005), The newspapers handbook, [ISBN: 0415331145].
  • Angela Phillips. (2006), Good writing for journalists, [ISBN: 1412919177].
  • [edited by] Dan Berkowitz. (1997), Social meanings of news, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, Calif., [ISBN: 0761900764].
  • Bob Franklin... [et al.]. (2005), Key concepts in journalism studies, Sage, London, [ISBN: 0761944826].
  • Christopher Booker. (2005), The Seven Basic Plots, Continuum, [ISBN: 978-082648037].
  • Janet Kolodzy. (2012), Practicing Convergence Journalism: An Introduction to Cross-Media Storytelling, 1st Edition. Routledge, UK, [ISBN: 0415890306].
  • Robert McKee. (1999), Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting, Methuen, London, p.480, [ISBN: 0413715604].
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 2 Mandatory