Editorial Writing
- Social Sciences
- 800 level
- 2 credit units
- 81 pages
- 11 units
This course explores the principles and practices of editorial writing. It covers the meaning, history, features, and nature of editorials, as well as their relationship to public opinion and other forms of writing. Students will learn about sourcing editorial materials, understanding the editorial audience, and the role of the editorial board. The course also delves into techniques in editorial writing, ethical considerations, and determinants of editorial subjects.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 52 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of JLS825, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
JLS825 · UNIT 1: MEANING OF EDITORIAL AND QUALITIES OF GOOD EDITORIALS
Hoffman, M (2007:113) defines editorial as a “statement of opinion from an editor or publisher about you and your business. Media coverage generated by news staff”.
What you should be able to do
- Define and explain the concept of editorial writing.
- Analyze the relationship between editorials and public opinion.
- Identify and apply ethical principles in editorial writing.
- Structure effective and persuasive editorials.
- Evaluate the role and function of the editorial board.
- Apply persuasive techniques in editorial writing.
What it prepares you for
- Editorial Writer
- Journalist
- Content Strategist
- Communications Officer
- Public Relations Specialist
- Media
- Government
- Public Relations
- Advertising
- Non-profit
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2:
Unit 1: Sourcing the Editorial Materials
Sourcing credible and reliable materials requires extensive research and critical evaluation skills.
- Module 2:
Unit 2: Editorial Audience and Qualities of Editorial writers
Understanding the diverse perspectives and biases of different audience segments requires advanced analytical skills.
- Module 3:
Unit 4: Ethics of Editorial Writing
Applying persuasive techniques effectively while maintaining ethical standards requires a nuanced understanding of rhetoric and audience psychology.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 56 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Meaning of Editorial and Qualities of Good Editorials · 4 hours
Define editorial, trace its history, explain its features, describe its nature, and discuss the qualities of a good editorial.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-4.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Public Opinion and Editorials · 4 hours
Define public opinion, discuss its importance, state the factors responsible for its formation, and discuss the opinion functions of editorials.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-4.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Editorials and other forms of writing · 4 hours
Discuss the relationship between editorials and factual news reporting, appreciate the relationship between editorials and features, state the relationship between editorials and columns, and enumerate the different types of editorials.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-4.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 4Module 2:
Unit 1: Sourcing the Editorial Materials · 4 hours
Outline the importance of research in editorial writing, discuss the sources of editorial materials, and enumerate the procedures for testing the materials.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-3.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 2: Editorial Audience and Qualities of Editorial writers · 4 hours
Know how to write an editorial, describe the editorial audience, define an editorial writer, and identify the qualities of an editorial writer.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-4.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 3: Editorial Board · 4 hours
Outline editorial concepts and discuss the editorial board.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-2.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 4: Techniques in Editorial writing · 4 hours
Define persuasion, enumerate some theories of persuasion, discuss some persuasive techniques in editorial writing, and identify the propaganda techniques in editorial writing.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-5.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 8Module 3:
Unit 1: Determinants of Editorial Subjects · 4 hours
Outline the guides for good editorial writing and enumerate the determinants of editorial subjects.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-2.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 9Module 3:
Unit 2: Classification of Editorials · 4 hours
Outline reasons for classification of editorials, appreciate the diverse opinions on classification of editorials, and know how to classify editorials.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-3.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 10Module 3:
Unit 3: Structure of an Editorial and Pitfalls in Editorial writing · 4 hours
Discuss the structure of an editorial, recount the general hints on editorial writing, and identify the pitfalls in editorial writing.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-3.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 11Module 3:
Unit 4: Ethics of Editorial Writing · 4 hours
Define ethics and trace its origin, and outline ethics of editorial writing.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-2.. Review references and further readings..
- Week 12Module 1: Introduction
Final Revision · 6 hours
Review all modules and units.. Revise Tutor Marked Assignments..
- Week 13Module 2:
Final Revision · 6 hours
Complete all assignments.. Prepare for final examinations..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a detailed outline for each module, focusing on key concepts and definitions.
- Practice writing editorials on current events, applying the persuasive techniques discussed in Units 4.
- Review the ethical guidelines for editorial writing and consider how they apply to different scenarios.
- Analyze sample editorials from reputable news sources, identifying their structure and persuasive strategies.
- Form study groups to discuss and debate different perspectives on editorial topics.
- Focus on understanding the relationship between editorials, public opinion, and other forms of writing.
Questions students ask about this course
What is JLS825 about?
This course explores the principles and practices of editorial writing. It covers the meaning, history, features, and nature of editorials, as well as their relationship to public opinion and other forms of writing. Students will learn about sourcing editorial materials, understanding the editorial audience, and the role of the editorial board. The course also delves into techniques in editorial writing, ethical considerations, and determinants of editorial subjects.
How many units does JLS825 have?
JLS825, Editorial Writing, has 11 units across 3 modules, over 81 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is JLS825?
JLS825 carries 2 credit units, at 800 level in Social Sciences.
Is JLS825 hard?
JLS825 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does JLS825 take to study?
About 52 hours of study, spread across its 11 units.
How is JLS825 assessed?
JLS825 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with JLS825?
Editorial Writer, Journalist, Content Strategist, Communications Officer and Public Relations Specialist.