BASIC DETAILS:

Subject:	NEWS WRITING AND REPORTING I
Id.:	31437
Programme:	GRADUADO EN PERIODISMO. PLAN 2013 (BOE 10/07/2013)
Module:	LENGUA Y MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN
Subject type:	OBLIGATORIA
Year:	3	Teaching period:	Primer Cuatrimestre
Credits:	3	Total hours:	75
Classroom activities:	12	Individual study:	63
Main teaching language:	Inglés	Secondary teaching language:	Inglés
Lecturer:		Email:

PRESENTATION:

The aim of this subject is to learn the skills required of journalists to investigate and cover news. The students will learn the process of creating a news story from beginning to end. They will learn to find the focus/ angle of the story and to create a structure around the axis of the story. Students will study the characteristics and attributes of news in order to take the proper steps required to write one. Techniques to obtain information through sources will be studied as well as the correct way to attribute quotes.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES ACQUIRED IN THE SUBJECT:

General programme competences	G01	Capacidad de análisis y síntesis
	G03	Capacidad de organización y planificación
	G05	Uso de las tecnologías de la Información
	G06	Conocimiento de un idioma extranjero
	G07	Trabajo en equipo
	G08	Habilidades interpersonales
	G09	Compromiso ético
	G10	Capacidad de trabajar en un contexto internacional
Specific programme competences	E02	Capacidad para leer y analizar textos y documentos especializados de cualquier tema relevante y saber resumirlos o adaptarlos mediante un lenguaje o léxico comprensible para un público mayoritario
	E04	Capacidad y habilidad para buscar, seleccionar y jerarquizar cualquier tipo de fuente o documento (escrito, sonoro, visual, etc.) de utilidad para la elaboración y procesamiento de información, así como para su aprovechamiento comunicativo persuasivo o de ficción y entretenimiento
	E05	Capacidad básica para comprender la producción informativa o comunicativa, escrita o audiovisual, en inglés estándar
	E08	Capacidad y habilidad para utilizar las tecnologías y técnicas informativas y comunicativas, en los distintos medios o sistemas mediáticos combinados e interactivos (multimedia)
	E10	Capacidad y habilidad para el desempeño de las principales tareas periodísticas
	E17	Capacidad para entender y analizar la realidad socio comunicativa de la Comunidad Autónoma (estructura, políticas y funcionamiento) en el contexto español, europeo y mundial
	E25	Capacidad de definir temas de investigación que puedan contribuir al conocimiento, avance y debate de la información y la comunicación, así como de exponer de forma adecuada los resultados de una investigación de manera oral, escrita, audiovisual o digital
Learning outcomes	R01	Carry out an interview with a source in order to write a news piece.
	R02	Correctly use sources and attribution.
	R03	Construct a news piece with the main parts of a news story based on the characteristics of that story and the audience of the news outlet.
	R04	Cover different types of news and be organized to cover a regular beat.
	R05	Know the techniques required of a journalist to find information and investigate sources and documentation to be able to write a complete news story.

PRE-REQUISITES:

It is highly recommended to have previously passed Journalism I and II.

SUBJECT PROGRAMME:

Subject contents:

1 - Presentation/Introduction

2 - Interviews/quotes/attribution

2.1 - Interviewing

2.2 - Quotations and Attribution

3 - Newswriting Basics

3.1 - Inverted Pyramid, story format and the 5 Ws

3.1 - Headlines

4 - Writing Leads

4.1 - Basic News Leads

4.2 - Lead writing checklist/review

5 - Covering the News

5.1 - Covering a beat

5.2 - Covering accidents/disasters

5.3 - Covering sports

5.4 - Covering conflict

5.5 - Covering crime and courts

5.6 - Covering speeches and politics

6 - Holiday

7 - Exam Period

8 - Review

Subject planning could be modified due unforeseen circumstances (group performance, availability of resources, changes to academic calendar etc.) and should not, therefore, be considered to be definitive.

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODOLOGIES AND ACTIVITIES:

Teaching and learning methodologies and activities applied:

In order to develop the competences established for this subject, sessions are planned as follows:

Classes will be conducted exclusively in English. Students are expected to participate in class and in all class-related activities in English. Although this may be difficult for students at the beginning of the course, their linguistic competences will improve rapidly.

Practical Classes
Many class activities will be conducted in pairs and groups in the format of problem solving exercises, debates, project preparation, problem solving, simulations etc. This methodology enables maximum student participation and talking time in class. It also promotes cooperative learning and meaningful interaction between students, and the development of professional competences.

Lectures
During lectures, where the lecturer will explain concepts orally with technological support, students will also participate with questions and there will be follow up exercises and tasks to apply and practice new concepts. Selected theoretical classes will be given by students.

Tutorials
During these sessions, students can ask questions, clarify concepts, ask for additional bibliography either face to face or electronically. Some tutorial time will be devoted to assistance with group work, especially with preparation for expert group presentations.

Self Study
Students are expected to complete weekly tasks uploaded on the PDU.

PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism will not be tolerated, neither will the use of Google translator or any other automatic translator. If the professor catches a student plagiarizing or using an automatic translator for written assignments, the assignments will be automatically given a zero.
 

Student work load:

Teaching mode	Teaching methods	Estimated hours
Classroom activities
	Other practical activities	12
Individual study
	Individual study	14
	Individual coursework preparation	14
	Research work	14
	Compulsory reading	6
	Recommended reading	5
	Portfolio	5
	Other individual study activities	5
	Total hours:	75

ASSESSMENT SCHEME:

Calculation of final mark:

Q/A interview:	25	%
International news piece:	25	%
Sports news story:	25	%
Film review:	25	%
TOTAL	100	%

*Las observaciones específicas sobre el sistema de evaluación serán comunicadas por escrito a los alumnos al inicio de la materia.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND DOCUMENTATION:

Basic bibliography:

AP PRESS, The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law 2009, Basic Books,Philadelphia,2009

BENDER, John, Reporting for the Media, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2009

RUDIN, Richard. An introduction to journalism : essential techniques and background knowledge. Oxford: Focal Press, Oxford, 2002

Recommended bibliography:

EVANS, Harold, Essential English for Journalists, Editors and Writers, Pimlico, London, 2000

GIBBS, Cheryl. Getting the Whole Story. Reporting and Writing the News.

MURPHY, Raymond, English Grammar in Use, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2004.

QUINN, Frances. Law For Journalists. Longman. 2009.

RUDIN, Richard. An Introduction to Journalism. Focal Press. 2003

SISSONS, Helen. Practical journalism : how to write news. Sage, London, 2006.

HARROWER, Tim, Inside Reporting, McGraw Hill, Boston, 2007

Recommended websites:

Associated Press	http://www.ap.org/
BBC	http://www.bbc.com/
CNN	http://edition.cnn.com/
New York TImes	http://www.nytimes.com
Reuters	http://www.reuters.com/
Guardian	http://www.guardian.co.uk/
Guardian	http://www.guardian.co.uk/
Poynter	http://www.poynter.org/
The Washington Post	http://www.washingtonpost.com/
USA Today	http://www.usatoday.com/

* Guía Docente sujeta a modificaciones