Writing for Mass Media I
- Social Sciences
- 100 level
- 2 credit units
- 132 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces undergraduate students in Mass Communication to the fundamentals of writing for the mass media. It explores the basic concepts, principles, and styles involved in crafting effective media messages. The course highlights the importance of research, journalistic style, and medium requirements. Students will learn to develop an ear for writing, understand the role of editing and proofreading, and appreciate the fast-paced nature of the mass media environment.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Study hours
- 195 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 MAC117, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
MAC117 · UNIT1 DEFINITION AND BASICS OF MEDIA WRITING CONCEPT
The dates for submission of all assignments will be communicated to you. You will also be told the day of completing the study units and the dates for examinations.
What you should be able to do
- Define the mass media and its role in society
- Explain the principles of effective media writing
- Apply different writing styles for various media platforms
- Develop an ear for writing and identify good copy
- Understand the importance of research and sources in writing
What it prepares you for
- Journalist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Advertising Copywriter
- Content Creator
- Media Relations Manager
- News Media
- Advertising Agencies
- Public Relations Firms
- Broadcasting
- Digital Media
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2:
Unit 1: Writing the Lead/Headlines
Requires understanding of different writing styles and adapting to specific media requirements.
- Module 3:
Unit 4: Semantics
Requires understanding of semantics and the ability to use language effectively to avoid ambiguity and misinterpretation.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 75 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Definition and Basics of Media Writing · 5 hours
Understand the definition of mass media. Explore the challenges and obligations of media writers. Discuss the principles and qualities of good media writing.
Unit 2: Broadcast Style · 5 hours
Explore the broadcast style manual. Learn how to handle abbreviations, names, titles, quotations, and numbers on air.
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 3: Print Style · 5 hours
Understand the characteristics of print media. Explore the information presentation styles in print. Discuss the place of photos in print writing.
Unit 4: Advertising Style · 5 hours
Explore the expectations of advertising audience. Discuss media and suppliers. Learn how to write Ad copies.
- Week 3Module 1:
Unit 5: Public Relations Style · 5 hours
Identify the qualities of a public relation writer. List the sources of public relations writing. Learn how to write the news release.
- Week 4Module 2:
Unit 1: Writing the Lead/Headlines · 5 hours
Discuss the different types of leads. Enumerate the functions of leads/headlines. Identify the guides to effective lead/headline writing.
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 2: An Ear for Writing · 5 hours
Learn how to affect people positively with your writing. Discuss the importance of triviality in media writing. Organize an idea into meaningful writing shape.
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 3: Information Sources · 5 hours
Identify primary sources. Identify secondary sources. Learn about the World Wide Web. Learn about on-line services Database.
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 4: Revising, Editing and Proof-Reading · 5 hours
Explain revising, editing and proofreading. Explain the importance of revising your written communication. Use a revision checklist to improve the organisation, wording and tone of your written communication.
- Week 8Module 2:
Unit 5: Organizing the Facts · 5 hours
Discuss the traditional methods of organisation. Learn about introduction. Learn about the Body.
- Week 9Module 3:
Unit 1: Conciseness · 5 hours
Identify superfluous details. Identify superfluous words, phrases and clauses. Identify redundancies.
- Week 10Module 3:
Unit 2: Avoiding Banality · 5 hours
Effectively package messages for the media by avoiding banality. Define figures of speech in relation to writing for the mass media. Define bromides, clichés, platitudes in relation to writing for the mass media.
- Week 11Module 3:
Unit 3: Readability Formulas · 5 hours
Identify the benefits of readable writing. Discuss the methods of engineering readability or component. Discuss paragraphing guidelines.
- Week 12Module 3:
Unit 4: Semantics · 5 hours
Differentiate between words and things. Discuss the levels of abstraction. Discuss the importance of context in media writing.
- Week 13Module 3:
Unit 5: Correct Usage · 5 hours
Identify grammatical faults. Apply the parts of speech to media writing. Handle troublesome words. Insert transitional words and phrases accordingly.
Preparing for the exam
- Review all study units and focus on key concepts
- Practice writing leads and headlines for different types of stories
- Study the different writing styles for broadcast, print, advertising, and public relations
- Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and style guidelines
- Practice editing and proofreading your own work and the work of others
Questions students ask about this course
What is MAC117 about?
This course introduces undergraduate students in Mass Communication to the fundamentals of writing for the mass media. It explores the basic concepts, principles, and styles involved in crafting effective media messages. The course highlights the importance of research, journalistic style, and medium requirements. Students will learn to develop an ear for writing, understand the role of editing and proofreading, and appreciate the fast-paced nature of the mass media environment.
How many units does MAC117 have?
MAC117, Writing for Mass Media I, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 132 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is MAC117?
MAC117 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Social Sciences.
Is MAC117 hard?
MAC117 is rated beginner level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does MAC117 take to study?
About 195 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is MAC117 assessed?
MAC117 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with MAC117?
Journalist, Public Relations Specialist, Advertising Copywriter, Content Creator and Media Relations Manager.