Mass Communication 1313
Writing for the Mass Media

PREREQUISITES:

Pass the Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation test and MC 1301.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND OTHER ITEMS:

Writing for the Mass Media (7th ed.), James G. Stovall, 2009; The Associated Press Stylebook; and a dictionary.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course is an introduction to the major forms of writing for the mass media: advertising, broadcasting, print journalism and public relations. All Mass Communication majors are required to take Writing for the Mass Media (1313). Proper grammar, punctuation and spelling will be emphasized.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• You should be able to write news stories, for either print, broadcast or the Internet, with information provided to you or gathered by you.
• You should be able to evaluate information for its news value.
• You should be able to prepare advertising copy, news releases and business letters.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Departmental policy permits faculty members to lower a student's final grade for absences or tardiness. The instructor does NOT accept makeup work, but you are allowed up to two EXCUSED absences without having them affect your grade. If you have more than two absences during the session, all missed assignments will be graded with scores of zero.

GRADING:

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The writing portion of the grade will consist primarily of in-class exercises and a few homework assignments. ALL work must be word-processed. Several computer labs are available on campus for homework assignments.

All work should follow the format appropriate for the assignment and should be double-spaced. Editing in pencil is acceptable. Do not use ink when editing.

To do well in this class, you will need to submit copy that could actually be printed or aired. The less revision required of each assignment, the higher the grade. Accuracy, spelling, grammar, style, construction and judgment are important criteria.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

Week 1-	Overview & Syllabus Why I Became a Mass Communication Major My Life Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation More GSP exercises Writing for Brevity Word Choice/Grammar Choosing the Proper Word Wordiness
Week 2-	AP Style Conforming to AP style (Use the Book!!) AP Style Wrap-Up
Week 3 -	Writing Leads More Lead Writing Leads, Take Three Give Me the Full Story
Week 4 -	Full Story #2 You Pick the Story (A) or (B) News Conference, News Release
Week 5 -	Press Release Writing -- You Choose (A) Letterhead or (B) Letterhead Ads: Two for the Price of One -- Do both today (A) and (B)         OR choose one and write the news release you didn't do yesterday Broadcast Style Rules   Broadcast Writing Exercise               BRING ALL OF YOUR WRITING EXERCISES TO CLASS FOR THE FINAL THURSDAY

FINAL:
Aug. 13, 2009, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm, for the 10 a.m. M-F section
                  

If you are a student with a disability certified by the Office of Disability Services and you require accommodation in my class, it is your responsibility to tell me at the beginning of the semester so that accommodation can be provided promptly.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication commits itself to the preparation of ethical mass media professionals and scholars. Such a mission demands the highest standard of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty, including but not limited to plagiarism, collusion, deception, conflict of interest and theft, are not tolerated and can lead to severe penalties. Disciplinary actions for violations of the standards for academic honesty are outlined in the Academic Honesty Statement, printed each year in the Student Handbook.