Overview
This introductory unit will develop student writing skills and apply those skills to the formats expected in the media industry. Students will learn how to differentiate media genres through audience and channel, and select appropriate techniques to produce professional documents suitable for publication or broadcast in traditional and online media. This unit introduces media writing skills, which contribute to the skills required in professional communication practice.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2021
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from 2020 Student evaluation survey
Students commented favourably on the practical nature of the assessment pieces including coverage of a real-world event.
It is recommended to maintain the practical nature of the assessment pieces including coverage of a real-world event.
Feedback from 2020 Student evaluation survey
Students enjoyed the Unit Coordinators detailed feedback and speed with which he returned assessment pieces across a large cohort.
It is recommended to maintain detailed feedback and speed with which assessment pieces are returned across such a large cohort.
Feedback from 2020 Student evaluation survey
Students suggested Zoom sessions be scheduled at the start of term with regular times/days.
It is recommended that Zoom sessions be scheduled at the start of term with regular times/days as part of the CQU Renew blueprint and change to the Moodle tile format.
- Identify and define industry-standard writing techniques
- Synthesise information and articulate it succinctly and accurately in formats appropriate to media writing
- Write effectively across a range of media writing genres
- Reflect on contemporary media practice and industry standards
- Analyse professional works of media writing against own work.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 15% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 15% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 35% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
All readings will be available via the unit e-reading list.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.bertoli@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Media Writing
This week we introduce you to the course and introductory principles of media writing including research, planning and communication. You will also discuss the importance of evaluating your writing and the KISS Principle.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Identifying News
Lesson Two expands on the idea of 'news' and 'newsworthiness' as a media writing principle. You will discuss the dominant news values, 5Ws and H and how to incorporate these principles into a strong lead paragraph when crafting a news story.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Basic News Story
News writing is a form of writing like no other. In this week's lesson, you will explore the practicalities of crafting a basic news story including the ABC principle, essential information and introducing talent.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Voice, Attribution and Acknowledgement
Media writing differs to academic writing in a number of ways including attributing information. In week four we expand further on using credible sources through successful interviewing techniques, introducing talent and incorporating voice into your writing.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Notify the unit coordinator of your event by the end of Week 4.
Module/Topic
Writing for Social Media
Lesson Five focusses on effectively engaging with different social media platforms and the difference between writing for social and traditional media.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - Modern Media Analysis
Due: Week 5 Friday (13 Aug 2021) 17:00pm AEST
MODERN MEDIA ANALYSIS Due: Week 5 Friday (13 Aug 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Vacation Week
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Art of Curation
This lesson introduces you to the difference between creating content and collaborating or collecting content in the modern media landscape.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Writing for Speech and Vision
During the first half of this unit, you have worked on the basics of newswriting and social media. From here we move into more specific sub-genres of media writing including 'writing for the eye' and 'writing for the ear'.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Media Releases
Lesson Eight explores how media writing and journalism skills can be transferred to the public relations sphere including crafting a media release, supplementary information and fact sheets.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Newsletters and Brochures
While media has become more fragmented, the popularity of auxiliary news items - newsletters and brochures - has remained constant. This week you will explore the principles of prodcucing influential auxiliary news items and the benefits of 'one stop shop' media content.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Supplementing the Story
This week's short lesson introduces you to supplementary materials to consider when writing your story, specifically writing headlines, captions and breakout information.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 - Modern News Reporting
Due: Week 10 Monday (20 Sep 2021)
9:00 am AEST
MODERN NEWS REPORTING Due: Week 10 Monday (20 Sept 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Reviewing Your Work
The old saying that 'good writing is due to effective editing' certainly rings true in journalism and media writing. Week 11 focusses on the different stages of reviewing your work.
Chapter
See e-reading list on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Review Week
This week we review the key concepts from the term.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3 - Reflection
Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (11 Oct 2021) 9:00 am AEST
REFLECTION Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (11 Oct 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Select and analyse a long-form convergent media article from a credible, online media source. (If stuck, use the ABC as there is no paywall)
The media article must be at least 500 to 1,000 words long. Attach screen shots of the article as an appendix.
Present your assessment as a 1,500 word written response under the following sub-headings:
• Journalistic principles
• Convergence
• Design and layout
Journalistic principles include:
·The 5Ws and H
· News values (including whether the article is hard news or soft news)
· Angle
· Sources
Convergence includes:
· Audio/video/image content
· The inclusion of social media and how it is relevant
· Links to other relevant information (excluding advertising) including websites, previous stories, background information
Design and layout includes:
· Placement of article within the news site
· Accessibility and navigability of multimedia elements
· Audience engagement (attention-grabbing headline, visual appeal, shareability)
Your response must identify and analyse the above elements with clear links to the unit content and academic referencing.
Week 5 Friday (13 Aug 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Online
Week 6 Friday (27 Aug 2021)
Assessments will be returned within two weeks of submission.
Marking criteria will include:
· Quality of article selection;· Appropriate identification of journalistic principles, convergence and design / layout;
· Link to unit content;
· Quality of academic writing;
· Quality of referencing.
A marking rubric is available on the Moodle site
- Identify and define industry-standard writing techniques
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
2 Written Assessment
You will write and create content for a modern news media site using Adobe Spark.
This assessment comprises three phases.
Phase One: Attendance at an event
You will attend an event in your local area. This can be any event but it must occur prior to the end of Week Eight. (You will notify the unit coordinator of your proposed event by the end of Week Four.)
Events may include music festivals, sporting matches, community open days and political announcements. Set up an Instagram account (as required in your weekly forum activities).
NOTE: You will NOT be permitted to use your existing Instagram account as staff will need quick access to unit specific posts without having to scroll through existing posts when marking the assessment.
Attend and record activities of the event via Instagram. Create a hashtag for your event (if one doesn’t already exist). Throughout the event, post interesting facts, quotes, photos and videos via your Instagram account. You must record a minimum of 15 posts. Also include #CQUjournalism in your posts. You will also take at least five newsworthy photos and shoot a 30-60 second video which will be used in Phase Two of this assessment. The photos and video can be shot and edited on your phone. The video can be a short wrap of the event, interviews with relevant talent/organisers/attendees, or a combination. The photos need to incorporate different aspects of the event. You are encouraged to be as creative as possible.
Phase Two: Writing a news article
Write a 400-word news story about your event. This must be written using the inverted pyramid, and have a strong lead paragraph/s that are based on the 5Ws and H. You will need to include some quotes from attendees or organisers. You may use sources and quotes from your Instagram posts. (Ensure your sources are credible - two sources minimum). You will include at least FIVE newsworthy photographs featuring different aspects of the event (with appropriate captions including names where relevant) to accompany your story. Create an Adobe Spark page. Design the page in the style of an online news site and upload the article, images and the video.
(NOTE: You may need to use a video sharing platform like YouTube to embed the video content).
Phase Three: Submission
You are welcome to share the link to your Spark page on the QandA Forum and provide constructive feedback on other students’ pages. It has been our experience that those who are willing to share and receive feedback generally receive a higher grade.
Submit a PDF version of your story, images (including captions) and Instagram posts (screen shots) through Portfolium.
Include a cover page with your details and links to your Spark page, Instagram account and video sharing platform if necessary.
(Ensure all pages are live so teaching staff can access them). Before you submit, check that your article:
· Is newsworthy
· Has a strong introductory lead based on the 5W's and H
· Concludes appropriately; and,
· Uses correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Week 10 Monday (20 Sept 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Online
Week 12 Monday (4 Oct 2021)
Assessments will be returned within two weeks of submission.
Marking criteria will include:
· Newsworthiness of article
· Overall effectiveness of storytelling as appropriate to the genre (news)
· Newsworthiness of images and video
· Design and layout of Spark page
· Attention to requirements of the task
A marking rubric is available on Moodle.
- Synthesise information and articulate it succinctly and accurately in formats appropriate to media writing
- Write effectively across a range of media writing genres
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
Write a 2,500 - 3,000 word reflection and justification of the modern news gathering process, undertaken as part of Assessment Two. You will justify how you addressed journalistic principles, convergence and design / layout when crafting your Spark page and writing your news article. Your reflection will explain where improvements could have been made with reference to the unit content. You may include references to other credible news sites to justify your arguments. Discuss the quality and effectiveness of your images and video content, and where – if at all – you feel enhancements could be made. You may choose to demonstrate how you would approach the same story with a different angle, and include an alternative lead paragraph/s. This assessment is designed to develop your ability to self-reflect and constantly improve your craft, which is essential for even the most experienced media professionals. This assessment must include academic referencing.
Review/Exam Week Monday (11 Oct 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Online
Exam Week Friday (22 Oct 2021)
Assessments are returned within two weeks of submission.
Marking criteria will include:
• Quality of self-assessment
• Standard of writing
• Adherence to requirements of the task
• Link to unit content
• Referencing
A marking criteria sheet is available below.
- Reflect on contemporary media practice and industry standards
- Analyse professional works of media writing against own work.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
