Overview
Narrative Journalism is designed to further develop the knowledge and writing skills gained in prerequisite journalism units, with dedicated focus on narrative and long-form journalism ranging from true crime, biographies, nature and travel writing. In this unit, you will critically analyse selected pieces of long-form narrative journalism including the identification of suitable topics, selection of talent, use of prose and techniques for extending the story. You will learn how extensive research can allow narrative journalists to form deep personal connections with their subject matter, inherently becoming part of the narrative. You will then apply these techniques to your own assessment projects as you pitch, plan and develop your own professional works of long-form narrative journalism over the course of the term, with a view to getting your work to a publishable standard.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites - 36 Credit Points
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 - 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.
- Pitch and justify a proposal for a narrative journalism project
- Identify and distinguish between traditional and long-form narrative journalism
- Analyse notable works of narrative journalism including the identification of suitable topics, talent, use of prose and joining the narrative
- Develop a publishable work of long-form narrative journalism with a view to getting published
- Reflect on critical differences between traditional journalistic writing and narrative journalism.
NA
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 15% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||
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 - 35% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
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 Narrative Journalism
Chapter
See e-reading lists on Moodle page
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Getting the Basics Right
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Primary Research
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment One - Pitch / Identification of Narrative Journalism DUE
Friday Week 3 (Friday 26 March 2021) 5pm AEST
Pitch / Identification of Narrative Journalism Due: Week 3 Friday (26 Mar 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Sourcing Credible Talent and Interviews
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Immersion: Becoming Part of the Story
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Setting the Scene
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Reconstructing Past Events
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Two - Interviews and Immersive Research DUE
Friday Week 7 (Friday 30 April 2021) 5pm AEST
Interviews and Immersive Research Due: Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Literary Voice and Style
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Structuring Your Article
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Editing
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Pitching... and pitching again!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Review
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Three - Narrative Journalism Article / Reflection DUE
Monday Review / Exam Week (Monday 7 June 2021) 5pm AEST
Narrative Journalism Article / Reflection Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (7 June 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
There are two parts to this assessment.
PART A: Define Narrative Journalism (300 - 500 words)
Define narrative journalism and explain how it differs from traditional journalism and news writing.
In your response, consider the work of prominent narrative journalists and how they have use narrative techniques in their writing including the use of prose, setting a scene and introducing characters. Include references to justify.
Examples are available on Moodle.
PART B: Pitch (300-500 words)
Pitch your story ideas for Assessment Three (Narrative Feature Article) inline with industry standards which are covered in the unit content.
Your pitch should specifically consider the following:
- The topic / subject of your article
- Credible Sources (Primary and Secondary
- News values or interest in this topic / relevance to public discourse
- Evidence of planning (what you are going to do and when)
To pass you will need to address all of the elements of the assessment including credible references where necessary to justify and cite your sources.
Students who demonstrate limited attention to the requirements of the task will Fail this assessment. They will be required to resubmit this assignment until they receive a Pass grade to be allowed to proceed to Assessment Two.
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 3 Friday (26 Mar 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Online
Week 4 Friday (2 Apr 2021)
Assessments will be returned within one week of submission
To pass you will need to address all of the elements of the assessment including credible references where necessary to justify and cite your sources.
Students who demonstrate limited attention to the requirements of the task will Fail this assessment and will be required to resubmit before moving on to the next assessment.
- Pitch and justify a proposal for a narrative journalism project
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
There are two parts to this assessment.
PART A: Interviews
Interview two credible talent who will be used within your narrative journalism article in Assessment Three and provide the transcripts / recordings of those interviews.
Aim for the interviews to be at least 7 - 10 minutes in length. You will be graded on the following elements:
- Primary Research
- Subject Matter
- Talent Credibility
- Quality of Questions
-
Ability to Build Rapport
Remember your talent must be credible by industry standards, so interviewing fellow students, friends, mum/dad is not acceptable.
PART B: Written submission (1,000 - 1,500 words)
Produce a 1,000 - 1,500 word submission where you, as the journalist, have immersed yourself in your research and become part of the story (Examples are available on Moodle).
The submission should center around an interview with one of your talent. It should be written in first person narrative prose and will ultimately become part of your narrative feature article.
Your work will be graded on the following elements:
- Spelling / Grammar / Punctuation
- Use of prose
- Setting the scene
- The quality of talent
Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Online
Week 9 Friday (14 May 2021)
Assessments will be returned with two weeks of submission
A marking rubric is available on Moodle.
Your work will be graded on the following elements:
- Spelling / Grammar / Punctuation
- Use of prose
- Setting the scene
- The quality of talent
- Identify and distinguish between traditional and long-form narrative journalism
- Analyse notable works of narrative journalism including the identification of suitable topics, talent, use of prose and joining the narrative
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
3 Written Assessment
There are two parts to this assessment.
PART A: Polished Narrative Journalism Article (4,000 - 5,000 words)
From your initial pitch in Assessment One and interviews / research in assessment two, write a 4000-5000-word narrative journalism article.
Your article should be written in line with industry standards and incorporate the narrative journalism techniques covered through the unit.
It will be graded on the following elements:
- Quality of writing including punctuation / grammar / tense
- Use of prose
- Immersion
- Depth of research
-
Quality of talent
PART B: Reflection (2,000 words)
Produce a 2,000-word reflection on your writing process.
You will justify how you utilised narrative journalism principles in the modern news gathering process and how long-form writing differs from contemporary news writing, including immersive research and becoming part of the narrative.
Explain where improvements could have been made with reference to the unit content. You may include references to the work of credible narrative journalists / media outlets to justify your arguments.
Discuss the quality and effectiveness of your talent and interviewing techniques 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.
Your reflection will be graded on the following elements:
- Referencing
- Link to unit content
- Adherence to requirements of the task
- Standard of writing
- Quality of self-assessment
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.
Review/Exam Week Monday (7 June 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Online
Exam Week Friday (18 June 2021)
Assessments will be returned within two weeks of submission
A marking rubric is available on Moodle.
Your feature article will be graded on the following elements:
- Quality of writing including punctuation / grammar / tense
- Use of prose
- Immersion
- Depth of research
- Quality of talent
Your reflection will be graded on the following elements:
- Link to unit content
- Quality of self-assessment
- Adherence to requirements of the task
- Standard of writing
- Referencing
- Develop a publishable work of long-form narrative journalism with a view to getting published
- Reflect on critical differences between traditional journalistic writing and narrative journalism.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- 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?
