Communications 313 A: Advanced Media Writing

Objective:

COMM 313 is an advanced class in writing and reporting for the mass media. I assume that you already know how to recognize news and write about it in basic, traditional journalistic formats. During this semester you will take those skills to the next level.

The main objective of this class is to learn to write in-depth, investigative, and feature stories by crafting interview, research, and writing skills. We will achieve such proficiency by both writing practice and through reading award-wining pieces. You should search for opportunities to publish your work in Ke Alaka’i, BYU Magazine, local newspapers, or other appropriated outlets.

Another objective of the class is to build an international/inter(multi)cultural perspective. Since we are a culturally diverse university, your writing should reflect the diversity of the student body and the community. Therefore, think of our potential readers and try to incorporate as many perspectives as possible in your stories.

Texts:

Perry, W. L. & Samsel, J. (1999). How to Write Articles that Sell.

Woods, E. (2003). The Best Newspaper Writing 2002. The Poynter Institute and Bonus Books.

The Best Magazine Writing 2002. American Society of Magazine Editor.

Goldstein, N. (2000). The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law.

Recommended Texts:

Newsweek (or Time, U.S. News & World Report)

Mother Jones or Atlantic Monthly

Listen to NPR (National Public Radio) regularly (88.7 or 90.7 FM)—Morning Edition 6-8:30 a.m.; All things Considered 4-6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Tentative weekly schedule:

Week 1

Chapter 1: The author’s way

Readings: (Newspaper 2002) Deadline news reporting: A creeping horror”; “A city awakes, only to reflect on a nightmare”

**Story idea #1

Week 2

Chapter 2: The article: Definitions and types of markets

Readings: Team deadline news reporting: “Nation stands in disbelief and horror”; “Hour of horror forever alters American lives”

** Story #1 due

Week 3

Chapter 3: Where to find ideas for articles

Readings: Short writing: “A soothing cup of water, a vessel of plain kindness”

“From the rubble, a picture and a friendship”

**Story idea #2

Week 4

Chapter 4: Preparation: Getting set to write

Readings: Diversity writing: “Divided feast”; “An American dream, slightly apart”

**Story idea #2 due

Week 5

Chapter 5: Get it on paper: Forty ways to get started

Readings: Non-deadline writing: “Strangers in a strange land”; “Dinka values, teenage rites”

**Story idea #3

Week 6

Chapter 6: How to organize your article: The five Ws and other Techniques

Readings: Editorial writing: “From the dust will come justice”; “The renaissance of Black Chicago”

** Story #3 due

Week 7

Chapter 7: Titles catch the reader’s attention

Readings: Commentary: “When love stands bravely against unbearable grief”; “Amid the ruins, a separate peace”

**Story idea #4

Week 8

Chapter 8: The lead is critical

Reading: (Magazine 2002) Feature writing: “Gone”—Esquire

**Story #4 due

Week 9

Chapter 9: An article is a series of paragraphs

Reading: Feature writing: “Moonrise”—The Atlantic Monthly

**Story idea #5

Week 10

Chapter 10: How to create a midsection that doesn’t sag

Reading: Reporting: “The crash of EgyptAir 990”—The Atlantic Monthly

**Story #5 due

Week 11

Chapter 11: Interviews add credibility to your words

Reading: Columns and Commentary: “Eminem: A fan’s notes”—GQ

**Story idea #6

Week 12

Chapter 12: How to sell your articles

Reading: Essays: “My father’s brain”—The New Yorker

** Story #6 due

Week 13

Chapter 13: Writing articles for the internet

Reading: Leisure Interests: “Salt Chic”—Vogue

**Story idea #7

Week 14

Chapter 14: Orphan articles, filler articles, and miscellaneous writing venues

Reading: Reviews and Criticism: “The second coming of Richard Yates”—Harper’s Magazine

**Story #7 due

Week 15

Chapter 15: Living the writer’s life

Readings: Profile writing: “The lost tycoon”—The New Yorker

**Story idea #8

Week 16

Wrap up: Graduate schools/career in communication and mass media

Intership in communication and mass media

**Story #8 due