Instructor:  Dr. W.A. Kelly Huff, 111 Kennedy, 927-7794

Office Hours:  Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.  Other times by appointment.

e-mail:  huffwak@peachnet.campuscwix.net

Text:    Mencher, Melvin.  (2000).  News Reporting and Writing (8th Ed.).  Boston, MA:  McGraw-Hill.

Catalogue Course Description:  "Introduces and emphasizes the entire journalistic process.  Major emphasis on reporting,
        writing, and editing various types of news stories.  Prerequisite:  ENG 109."

Course Objective:  By the end of the course, the student should have a basic understanding of journalistic writing and
        reporting.  One should better understand differences and distinctions between print and broadcast journalism.

Grading:     Various reporting assignments (typed and double-spaced)         10 points
                   Writing Assignments (typed and double-spaced)                        50 points
                   Midterm Examination                                                                  5 points
                   Class Participation and Professionalism (including attendance)    10 points
                   Quizzes                                                                                     15 points

Grade Scale:  A = 90 to 100 points, B = 80 to 89, C = 70 to 79, D = 60 to 69, F = 59 and Below

Attendance:  Journalistic Reporting, Writing, and Editing requires a great deal of knowledge, dedication, and practice.  The
        student is expected to attend on time all scheduled class meetings.  No makeups will be allowed.  Two tardies equal one
        absence.  Each absence after one will reduce the class participation grade by 10 percent.  Each half absence, or tardy,
        after the initial absence will result in a five percent reduction in the class participation grade.

Policy on Incompletes and Late Assignments:  Incompletes for documented illness or family emergency with advance
        notification to the instructor and only with written approval of the instructor.  If a graded project or other assignment is
        not in by the deadline, it will not be accepted.  In journalism work must be done on time or people get fired or demoted,
        the company loses money, etc.  In keeping with the professional atmosphere of the course, such a policy for late
        assignments will be observed.

Methods of Instruction:  Several types of activities are planned, including lecture, discussion, and media exposure
        (pertinent videos and/or guest lectures).

Make-Ups:  Students who miss an exam or any other assignment must present a bonafide reason in advance; for example,
        serious illness* or a University-sponsored event.  (Note:  The student must submit a written request to the instructor two
        weeks prior to the event and must make arrangements to make up the exam before the next class period or within the
        same week of the exam.

        *Illness:  The student must contact the instructor prior to the exam.  If  you are unable, have a friend or RA do this.
        (Note:  Under most circumstances the make-up must be scheduled prior to the next class period or within the same
        week of the exam.)

Late Papers and other Assignments:  No late papers or assignments will be accepted.  Conditions for each paper and
        assignment will be specified.

Special Notes:

Students who have a need for special accommodations due to any type of disability should schedule an appointment with me
        within the first three weeks of the class.

Academic dishonesty penalties and definition are adhered to as outlined in the Student Handbook, under Part V, Academic
        Dishonesty, Sections 501-507.

I.  Orientation.  Introduction to journalistic writing and reporting.

II.  An introduction to the summary lead
      a.  Five “W’s” and the “H”
      b.  Importance of the lead
      c.  Construction of the lead
      d.  Writing leads
      e.  Localizing leads
      f.  Objectivity

III.  Evolution of the structure of the news story
       a.  Early unstructured stories
       b.  The effect of technology upon news structure
       c.  News structure in the 1990s

IV.  Format and style
       a.  The typed copy page
       b.  Copy editing
       c.  Layout

V.  Modern story structure
      a.  Guidelines
      b.  Variations in structure
      c.  The inverted pyramid
          (1)  advantages
          (2)  disadvantages
     d.  Developing the story
     e.  The “secondary lead”
     f.  Order of importance
     g.  “When” and “when not” to introduce new material

VI.  The story as a continuous whole
       a.  The fractured paragraph
       b.  “Key words,” “transitional words and phrases,” and “pronoun references.”
       c.  Information weaving
       d.  Ending the story
       e.  What to do upon completion of the story

VII.  Newsgathering and Reporting
        a.  Ethics
        b.  The beat
        c.  Wire services
        d.  News Conferences
        e.  Investigative Reporting
        f.  Sources
            (1)  Attribution
            (2)  Quotations
            (3)  Paraphrasing

VII. Wrap-up/Review