News Reporting/Writing
- Social Sciences
- 800 level
- 3 credit units
- 148 pages
- 30 units
This course introduces the fundamental principles and practices of journalism. It explores the role of the reporter, attributes of a good journalist, and news gathering techniques. Key topics include theories of the press, journalistic terminologies, news judgment, and news writing styles. The course also covers broadcast journalism, including preparing broadcast copy and effective interviewing. Additionally, it examines the use of the internet in journalism, legal pitfalls, and ethical considerations.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 39 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, practical
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of JLS823, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
JLS823 · UNIT I: THE REPORTER AND JOURNALISM
The principal actor in news reporting is the reporter. Therefore, it is not out of place to begin this course with an attempt to define a reporter in terms of who he/she is and his/her functions.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the role and attributes of a journalist
- Apply news gathering techniques
- Understand theories of the press
- Write news stories for print and broadcast media
- Use the internet for journalistic research
What it prepares you for
- Reporter
- Editor
- Correspondent
- News Analyst
- Broadcast Journalist
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Television
- Radio
- Online Media
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Introduction
Unit 4: Theories of the Press
Theories of the press require understanding of political and social contexts, which can be challenging to grasp initially.
- Module 3: Broadcast Journalism
Unit 2: Preparing Broadcast Copy
Requires understanding of technical aspects of broadcast writing and adapting writing style for audio delivery.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: The Reporter and Journalism · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Define journalism, explain the role of a reporter, and understand the functions of the press.. Complete the self-assessment exercise to reinforce your understanding of the reporter's role..
Unit 2: Attributes of a Reporter · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Identify and define the attributes of a good reporter.. Reflect on the qualities discussed and assess your own strengths and areas for improvement..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Gathering the News · 2 hours
Read Unit 3: Explore different sources of news and methods for gathering information.. Practice generating story ideas from various sources..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 4: Theories of the Press · 2 hours
Read Unit 4: Understand the various theories of the press and their relevance to Nigeria.. Analyze the media landscape in Nigeria and identify which theories are most applicable..
- Week 4Module 1: Introduction
Unit 5: Journalistic Terminologies · 2 hours
Read Unit 5: Familiarize yourself with common journalistic terminologies.. Create flashcards to help you memorize the terms and their definitions..
- Week 5Module 2: News Writing
Unit 1: News and News Judgment · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Define news and identify the criteria for judging the newsworthiness of an event.. Analyze recent news stories and assess their news value based on the criteria discussed..
- Week 6Module 2: News Writing
Unit 2: Rudiments of News Story · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Understand the rudiments of news story writing.. Practice applying these rudiments in your own writing..
- Week 7Module 2: News Writing
Unit 3: Writing for Newspaper: The Lead · 2 hours
Read Unit 3: Learn how to write effective leads for newspaper stories.. Practice writing different types of leads for various news events..
- Week 8Module 2: News Writing
Unit 4: The Body · 2 hours
Read Unit 4: Understand how to build up the body of a news story.. Practice using transitional devices and quotes effectively..
- Week 9Module 2: News Writing
Unit 5: Word Economy · 2 hours
Read Unit 5: Learn how to write concisely and avoid wordiness.. Practice editing your own writing to improve word economy..
- Week 10Module 3: Broadcast Journalism
Unit 1: Broadcast Style Book · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the guidelines for writing broadcast news.. Practice writing broadcast copy using the guidelines discussed..
- Week 11Module 3: Broadcast Journalism
Unit 2: Preparing Broadcast Copy · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Learn how to prepare broadcast copy for newscasters.. Practice editing copy for clarity and readability..
- Week 12Module 3: Broadcast Journalism
Unit 3: Writing for the Ear: Five Principles · 2 hours
Read Unit 3: Explore the five principles of writing for the ear.. Practice applying these principles in your own broadcast writing..
- Week 13Module 3: Broadcast Journalism
Unit 4: How to Make Your Copy Sound · 2 hours
Read Unit 4: Learn how to make your broadcast copy sound lively and engaging.. Practice using verbs and punctuation effectively..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a study schedule allocating specific time slots for each module and unit.
- Summarize key concepts and theories from each unit to aid retention.
- Practice writing news stories and broadcast scripts to improve writing skills.
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback provided.
- Focus on understanding the ethical considerations and legal frameworks governing journalism in Nigeria.
Questions students ask about this course
What is JLS823 about?
This course introduces the fundamental principles and practices of journalism. It explores the role of the reporter, attributes of a good journalist, and news gathering techniques. Key topics include theories of the press, journalistic terminologies, news judgment, and news writing styles. The course also covers broadcast journalism, including preparing broadcast copy and effective interviewing. Additionally, it examines the use of the internet in journalism, legal pitfalls, and ethical considerations.
How many units does JLS823 have?
JLS823, News Reporting/Writing, has 30 units across 6 modules, over 148 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is JLS823?
JLS823 carries 3 credit units, at 800 level in Social Sciences.
Is JLS823 hard?
JLS823 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does JLS823 take to study?
About 39 hours of study, spread across its 30 units.
How is JLS823 assessed?
JLS823 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with JLS823?
Reporter, Editor, Correspondent, News Analyst and Broadcast Journalist.