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MAC121Social Sciences3 Unitsbeginner

Introduction to News Writing & Reporting

This course, Introduction to News Writing and Reporting, is designed for first-year Mass Communication undergraduates. It provides a comprehensive overview of journalism, news reporting, and writing across various media platforms. Students will learn the roles of journalists, news gathering techniques, and ethical considerations. The course covers print, broadcast, and online journalism, emphasizing practical skills in news writing, interviewing, and reporting. Legal aspects and ethical standards are also explored, preparing students for responsible and effective journalism careers.

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60h
Study Time
13
Weeks
5h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
JournalismNews WritingReportingEthicsMass Communication

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Beginner Level
Perfect for newcomers to the field
35%
beginner
📚
Math Level
No Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Journalism

2

News Reporting

3

Print Journalism

4

Broadcast Journalism

5

Online Journalism

6

Media Law

7

Journalistic Ethics

Total Topics7 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Reporter

Apply your skills in this growing field

Editor

Apply your skills in this growing field

News Anchor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Correspondent

Apply your skills in this growing field

Media Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

NewspapersTelevisionRadioOnline News PlatformsPublic Relations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Role of The Journalist in Society

3h

Unit 1: The Reporter and His Attributes

3 study hours
  • •Define journalism and the role of a reporter.
  • •Identify the attributes of a good reporter.
  • •Explain journalistic terminologies.
Week
2

Module 1: Role of The Journalist in Society

3h

Unit 2: Gathering the News

3 study hours
  • •Explore newsgathering techniques.
  • •Identify news sources.
  • •Practice note-taking and interviewing skills.
Week
3

Module 1: Role of The Journalist in Society

3h

Unit 3: Theories of the Press

3 study hours
  • •Understand the Authoritarian, Soviet-Communist, Libertarian, and Social Responsibility theories.
  • •Relate press theories to media operations in Nigeria.
Week
4

Module 2: Print Journalism

3h

Unit 1: News and Components of News

3 study hours
  • •Define news and its components.
  • •Identify determinants of news.
  • •Apply news components in writing news stories.
Week
5

Module 2: Print Journalism

3h

Unit 2: Writing for News Paper: The Lead

3 study hours
  • •Write effective leads for news stories.
  • •Identify elements of a good lead.
  • •Practice writing leads for different types of news.
Week
6

Module 2: Print Journalism

3h

Unit 3: The Body

3 study hours
  • •Develop the body of a news story.
  • •Use transitional devices effectively.
  • •Incorporate quotations properly.
Week
7

Module 2: Print Journalism

3h

Unit 4: Covering Speeches, Meetings and News Conferences

3 study hours
  • •Cover speeches, meetings, and news conferences.
  • •Identify the theme of a speech.
  • •Write news stories from meetings and conferences.
Week
8

Module 3: Broadcast Journalism

3h

Unit 1: Broadcast Style Book

3 study hours
  • •Understand broadcast style.
  • •Avoid clichés and journalese.
  • •Write clear and concise broadcast copy.
Week
8

Module 3: Broadcast Journalism

3h

Unit 2: Preparing Broadcast Copy

3 study hours
  • •Prepare broadcast copy.
  • •Apply principles of writing for radio.
  • •Edit copy for clarity and readability.
Week
9

Module 3: Broadcast Journalism

3h

Unit 3: Interviewing

3 study hours
  • •Conduct effective interviews.
  • •Apply interviewing techniques.
  • •Prepare for different types of interviews.
Week
10

Module 4: Online Journalism

6h

Unit 1: What is the Net?

3 study hours
  • •Define the Internet and its uses.
  • •Understand the history of the Internet.
  • •Explore the characteristics of the Web.

Unit 2: Computer-Assisted Journalism

3 study hours
  • •Understand the history of the Internet.
  • •Explore the characteristics of the Web.
Week
11

Module 5: The Journalist and The Law

6h

Unit 3: Legal Pitfalls on the Internet

3 study hours
  • •Identify legal pitfalls on the Internet.
  • •Understand defamation, privacy, contempt, and copyright issues.
  • •Apply legal guidelines to online journalism.

Unit 1: Regulation and Press Freedom

3 study hours
  • •Understand regulation and press freedom.
  • •Explore constitutional guarantees.
  • •Recognize limits to press freedom.
Week
12

Module 5: The Journalist and The Law

6h

Unit 1: Ethics and Journalism

3 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of ethics.
  • •Trace the origin of ethics.
  • •Explore theories of ethics.

Unit 2: Disclosure of Source of Information

3 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of ethics.
  • •Trace the origin of ethics.
  • •Explore theories of ethics.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all study units and focus on key concepts.

2

Practice writing news stories for different media.

3

Study legal and ethical guidelines for journalists.

4

Analyze case studies of ethical dilemmas.

5

Create concept maps linking modules 5 and 6 legal and ethical concepts.

6

Practice writing leads and structuring news stories weekly.

7

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments and Self-Assessment Exercises.

8

Focus on understanding the application of ethical principles in journalism.

9

Create a study group to discuss challenging concepts and share notes.

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