COMM 1130i: Writing for Communication (WPU)

Course Overview:

This course is intended to jumpstart a student’s career as a media writer by learning how to successfully write for print journalism, broadcast journalism, online media, and public relations. Students will engage in all facets of the writing process, including writing, critiquing, editing and revising, with the ultimate goal of becoming more effective writers and readers of media messages. Students will learn Associated Press style and various journalistic reporting and writing techniques. This course will also survey news styles, policy, ethics, and legal issues associated with delivering news and entertainment in diverse forms.

Course Objectives:

• Upon completion of this course, students will:
• Have a firm grasp of AP style and be able to successfully utilize the AP Stylebook.
• Be able to write factually, persuasively and effectively, in accordance with industry standards.
• Distinguish modes of media writing styles between radio, television news, print journalism (newspaper, magazine, internet) and advertising.
• Explore the convergence of print and online media.

Grading Guidelines:
Grades will depend on how much editing your work would need before being published by a professional media outlet, as outlined below.
A (90-100): Needs only minor word usage and/or punctuation editing.
B (80-89): Needs some structural editing but no additional reporting.
C (70-79): Needs some structural editing and some additional reporting.
D (60-69): Basic framework in place but needs significant additional reporting.
F: Assignment needs to be entirely redone.

Required Materials:

• AP Stylebook
• Wi-Fi access during class and events

Class Policies:

1. Participation- Participation and attendance also includes, but is not limited to: attending class regularly and on time, participating in class discussion boards on concepts in the readings for that day, being focused and practicing good listening skills, contributing meaningfully to group discussion and exercises, relating class material to your own experience and the outside world during class discussions.
2. Academic Dishonesty- Cheating on exams and plagiarism of papers constitutes grounds for failure of that assignment, and potential failure of this course.
3. Late Work- Unless we have made previous arrangements, late work will not be accepted. This is the industry standard for both journalism and PR.
4. Out of Class Contact- Feel free to email me at any time. I will respond at my earliest convenience.
5. Respect- Enjoy the readings, enjoy the class, enjoy the assignments, enjoy your instructor, and enjoy one another. It is expected that students will be considerate of the instructor and fellow classmates and act in a professional manner. Please be patient with me and your classmates; we are all in this together.