Overview
News Writing & Reporting is designed to extend and develop the knowledge and skills gained in Media Writing. The exercises and assignments provide instruction and practice in news writing and news-gathering for print, online, and broadcast environments. Students are required to actively engage with their local community, reporting on events and community organisations, local courts, municipal councils and local political issues. Students are also expected to engage with contemporary media issues that impact on news writing, such as ethics, law, representation, and ownership.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite:- COMM11007 plus JOUR11005
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 1 - 2019
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 Term 1 2018 Student Evaluation comments.
Modules discussing broadcast elements need further explanation. Students commented that they found writing for broadcast somewhat confusing.
It is recommended to further expand on the writing for broadcast module. Include exemplars to clarify and supplementary video from industry professionals.
Feedback from Term 1 2018 Student Evaluation comments.
Writing for journalism awards need further clarification. Students commented that the criteria was confusing.
It is recommended to reduce the number of eligible awards listed on the unit Moodle site to avoid confusion and discuss with award administrators to clarify including the Young Art Journalism Awards.
Feedback from Term 1 2018 Student Evaluation comments.
Students found the practical nature of the assessment very enjoyable and commented that it provided a broad range of writing skills.
It is recommended to retain the practical approach to assessment, particularly around writing for different genres.
Feedback from Term 1 2018 Student Evaluation comments.
Students commented that the forum discussion questions were engaging and thought provoking.
It is recommended to retain the forum discussion element of the assessment tasks and update where necessary.
- Exercise journalistic writing skills and research techniques to produce general news stories for print, online, and broadcast distribution
- Apply appropriate news criteria when using news-gathering skills to address news and current affairs in a general news writing context
- Critique and discuss issues relevant to news writing in a contemporary media environment
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 70% | |||
| 2 - Group Discussion - 30% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 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 - 70% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Group Discussion - 30% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Advanced Reporting - Essential Skills for 21st Century Journalism
(2015)
Authors: Miles Maguire
Routledge (Taylor and Francis Group)
New York New York , New York , USA
ISBN: 978-0-415-82428-6
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
Copies can be purchased from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.bertoli@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to News Writing and Reporting
Lesson One will review media writing principles from past units, focusing on techniques required to craft an effective news story.
Chapter
Maguire, Chapter 1, 2 pp. 3 - 39
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Principles of News Writing
This lesson will re-introduce the concept of 'news values' in journalistic writing and further develop knowledge of writing in the journalistic style including the use of the 5Ws and H and Inverted Pyramid.
Chapter
See Study Guide Lessons
Events and Submissions/Topic
DRAFT Story 1 - General News Story. Due: Week 2 Friday (22 March 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
News Gathering
Lesson Three will investigate the news gathering process, different types of sources, including primary and secondary and the importance of networking and contact development in the role of a journalist.
Chapter
Maguire, Chapters 3, 4, 5 pp. 40 - 94
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Sources, 'Voice' and Representation
Lesson Four will cover the use of credible sources and the appropriate voice for story writing. Students will also learn the difference of use between direct quotes and paraphrasing when crafting a news story.
Chapter
See study guide lessons
Events and Submissions/Topic
DRAFT Story 2 - Broadcast Version General News Story. Due: Week 4 Friday (5 April 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Reporting Institutions: Court and Government
This lesson will cover how the court system works in Australia, the roles of various personnel working in the judicial system and the behavioural requirements to attend, report on and write news stories based on a court case. Reporting on the three levels of government will also be discussed.
Chapter
Maguire, Chapters 6, 7 pp. 97 - 132
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Vacation Week
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Reporting Institutions: Corporations
Lesson Six will cover some of the issues associated with researching information within a corporate context; and explain the process of contacting and attributing information to a corporate source.
Chapter
Maguire, Chapters 9, 10, 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Reporting Minorities
This lesson will investigate the issues associated with reporting minorities. Students will also assess their own attitudes toward minority groups and discuss how these may impact on the reporting of an issue.
Chapter
See Study Guide Lessons
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Integrated Media
On successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the differences and similarities between writing for print, online, and broadcast media.
Chapter
See Study Guide Lessons
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Ethics and Legals in Journalism
Lesson Nine will explore ethical and legal issues as they relate to journalistic practice.
Chapter
Maguire, Chapters 12, 13 pp. 207 - 242
Events and Submissions/Topic
ASSESSMENT 2 – Forum Posts/Unit Engagement Due: Week 9 Monday (13 May 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
ASSESSMENT 2 – Forum Posts/Unit Engagement Due: Week 9 Monday (13 May 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Editing
Some of many roles in which a journalist may be employed during the course of their career include specific editorial roles - sub-editor, photo editor, copyeditor, deputy editor or editor. Upon successful completion of this week's lesson, students will be able to describe the range of editing roles in journalistic contexts, and apply editorial principles to their own work.
Chapter
See Study Guide Lessons
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Tools of the Trade
Journalism is no longer purely about writing, but creating content. Lesson 11 will explore the concept of becoming a 'one-person band' and the subsequent ability to produce complete media packages.
Chapter
Maguire, Chapter 11 pp. 189 - 206
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Adaption: Extending the Life of Your Story
This lesson will conclude the unit by encouraging students to consider the future and examining the necessary tools to give a story/topic 'extra life'.
Chapter
See Study Guide Lessons
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - News Stories Portfolio Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (10 Jun 2019) 9:00 am AEST
Assessment 1 - News Stories Portfolio Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (10 June 2019) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This assessment requires you to research, write, and review Six (6) news stories that demonstrate quality in news writing and reporting.The required stories are as follows:
1 and 2: These are based on provided material available on the Moodle site, and are designed to revise your skills, hone your attention to detail and eye for an angle or hook. Stories 1 and 2 are:
- 1: General news story – Materials supplied by teaching staff (350 words)
- 2: General news story – Broadcast version of Story 1. Your story may contain the same general content as Story 1, but should be written in the correct format and the tone and transitions should reflect broadcast conventions. (350 words)
3 and 4: These stories require you to conduct basic reporting within a framework – a sports story, and a council or court report. Stories 3 and 4 are:
- 3: News story – Sport-based news story. You need to attend and report on a sporting event. Your story must include an interview from a coach and a player. (350 words)
- 4: News story – court or government: A report based on a meeting of your local Shire or Regional Council, or a report from a local court. Your report must include quotes from sources. (350 words)
5: This story requires you to localise a national story.
- 5: News story - Local: News story based on national issue, localised to regional/city level. Your story should include two local sources as a minimum. (500 words)
6: This is your main piece. It is a longer story and should investigate an issue. (500 - 1,000 words)
- 6: Feature story. You have two choices for this story.
Option 1: You may work with a news publication to submit a story for publication, including the CQUniNEWS e-magazine which regularly publishes graduate profiles and feature articles detailing community engagement initiatives. (You will need to discuss your idea with the course coordinator or local teaching staff to ensure suitability. This will be done on a case by case basis.) You should submit an email or letter from the editor/chief of staff providing evidence that the story is your work.
Option 2: Identify an award for journalism and target the requirements of the award. NOTE: Some of the awards will not have opened for 2019 so the criteria may be from previous years, however this will not affect your assessment.
Possible options include:
You must submit a news cover sheet as your title page with each story. Cover sheets are available on the course website.
Timelines for submission
You will be required to submit Story 1 by Friday, Week 2, and Story 2 by Friday, Week 4. This is so we can assess you and provide feedback early in the course. You may elect to submit earlier but will need to advise your teaching staff when you submit.
You will then devise your own submission timelines for stories 3 to 6. You must submit a proposed timeline to teaching staff of your proposed deadlines for the final four stories. This timeline will be submitted by Friday Week 5. This allows you to manage your time and priorities. You will then be assessed on your ability to manage your own time and adherence to deadlines while still giving you flexibility to cover the required stories within the context of your location and life circumstance.
Submissions and Resubmissions
- Original submissions will be made via the course website.
- You will be able to resubmit your assignment via Moodle (ONCE) upon receiving feedback from teaching staff. You must include the previous version in your revised submission file (one file allowed). The new version will be first; the original version follows.
- You must retain version copies to illustrate improvement when you submit your portfolio.
- Resubmissions must be submitted within seven (7) days of receiving your feedback.
Portfolio
At the end of term, you will compile your stories as a single portfolio (Word document). This portfolio will comprise:
- A title page
- a Table of Contents
- 12 stories (your original and final version of each story, if re-submissions were required)
- a short description of what you did to improve each article in response to feedback.
The portfolio should be structured as follows:
-
Story 1:
Version 1
Final Version
Response to Feedback -
Story 2
Version 1
Final Version
Response to Feedback
You will be required to self-assess your work and respond to the lecturer's feedback.
Further guidance on this assessment will be provided on the unit website.
Review/Exam Week Monday (10 June 2019) 9:00 am AEST
Assessment schedule for draft stories to be set by student. Final portfolio of completed stories due by Monday 10 June 2019
Exam Week Monday (17 June 2019)
Draft stories will be returned within one week of submission during term. The final portfolio will generally be returned within two weeks of submission.
Individual stories will be graded pass (publishable)/fail (to resubmit ONCE ) and will be marked against the following criteria:
Ability to write news stories to publishable standard, requiring you to:
- Exercise journalistic writing skills and research techniques to produce general news stories for print, online, and broadcast distribution
- Apply appropriate news criteria when using news-gathering skills to address news and current affairs in a general news writing context
- Demonstrate awareness of issues relevant to news writing in a contemporary media environment
You will receive an overall grade for your approach to this assessment which will be influenced by your response to feedback, re-submissions required, and timeliness of submissions.
- Exercise journalistic writing skills and research techniques to produce general news stories for print, online, and broadcast distribution
- Apply appropriate news criteria when using news-gathering skills to address news and current affairs in a general news writing context
- Critique and discuss issues relevant to news writing in a contemporary media environment
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Group Discussion
All students (distance and on-campus) will be expected to contribute to forum discussions during the term. Each week between Weeks 1 and 8, the Unit Coordinator will post a discussion item to which you are expected to respond on the forum. This discussion will be related to current issues or designed to assist your story research and writing. Responses should be approximately 200 words each. You must contribute to all discussions.
During Week 9, you will compile six of your best responses, and submit these as a Word document to the Assessment 2 Assignment submission. You will need to write a sentence against each response that describes how the activity contributed to your learning. You are able to edit your original posts for submission, and should ensure that your posts are appropriately referenced where relevant.
Further guidance on this assessment will be provided on the unit website.
NOTE: WORD COUNT for written assignments:
The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Week 9 Monday (13 May 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Weekly; Final submission due Monday Week 9
Week 11 Monday (27 May 2019)
Assessments will generally be returned to students within two weeks of submission.
Submissions will be marked against the following criteria:
- Reflection and response
- Writing standard
- Evidence of research
- Apply appropriate news criteria when using news-gathering skills to address news and current affairs in a general news writing context
- Critique and discuss issues relevant to news writing in a contemporary media environment
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
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?
