JOUR A117: Feature Writing

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	02/22/2023
Top Code	060200 - Journalism
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S), Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

A writing workshop focusing on student writing and marketing in-depth non-fiction feature articles. Emphasis will be on guiding students and developing interesting non-fiction stories from the idea stage through publication and finding suitable markets for publication. Enrollment Limitation: ENGL A117; students who complete JOUR A117 may not enroll in or receive credit for ENGL A117. ADVISORY: JOUR A110 and ENGL C1000, or concurrent enrollment. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Research, write and market an article suitable for a newspaper, magazine or online publication.
Develop marketable story ideas.

Course Objectives

1. Identify the key elements of a long form narrative.
2. Analyze what makes a compelling story.
3. Follow prescribed steps in writing in the long form format.
4. Write a clear and concise query letter.
5. Identify the key elements of freelance markets.
6. Develop at least three stories from the idea stage to completion.
7. Conduct thorough information-gathering interviews.

Lecture Content

Students will be introduced to the variety of freelance markets available to writers and learn how to query editors and follow through with ideas as follows: – Long Form What is a narrative story – examples from newspapers/magazines/collections How long is a story How to develop ideas Importance of style and accuracy. – Getting Started How to hone ideas Understanding conflict, tension, and elements of a compelling story. Writing assignment – four ideas discussed briefly, at least one on campus. – Interviewing How to research and prepare for an interview Writing out questions Where to get background information How to approach someone in an interview/ professional and friendly. Using the telephone vs. in person. No email interviews. Importance of spending time with and following subjects. Assignment – decide on a subject for a personality profile and conduct one interview. – Specifics Discussions on specific story ideas and problems. Strategy for next interviews What to do when you forgot to ask specific questions or need more information. – Outlining How to outline information to form a story. Begin outlining profile story. Story structure - where to enter a story. Students bring in examples of good stories from newspapers/magazines/collections. – Query letters What is a query letter. How is a query written. Use of Writers Market Where to find potentially interested publications. Continue writing. – Completion First story complete Discuss non-fiction/enterprise story ideas S end query on first story. – Edits and photos Discussion of photography and art used to illustrate stories Use of graphics Ideas to illustrate completed stories. – Edits Rewrite completed stories with edits. Continue working on second non-fiction story with input. Write a query for the second story. – Edits Peer edits of first story. Continue work on second story. – Writing Complete second story. Submit ideas for third story. Include peer edits in first story. – Writing Rewrite second story. Begin first person narrative Query for third story. – Writing Peer edit of second story. Continue writing third story Locate potential markets for third story. – Writing Complete third story Design a graphic to go with one of the three stories written. Begin fourth story. – Writing Rewrite third story with edits Continue research and writing of fourth story. Locate markets for fourth story.

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
DE Live Online Lecture (02S)

Instructional Techniques

Classroom discussions and in-class writing with one-on-one instructor input and supervision. Peer review and edit will also be included and internship work with local publications is also possible.

Reading Assignments

Assigned text and handouts. Reading assignments will require at least two hours per week outside of class.

Writing Assignments

Students will be evaluated based on class discussions, individual student-instructor sessions about story progress and suitability to the intended market, and the quality and effort put into research, writing, accuracy and balance. At least one story will be published in the Coast Report. Time commitments vary but students can expect to spend about five hours per week outside of class on writing.

Out-of-class Assignments

At least three stories will be taken from the idea stage to completion with at least two query letters sent to publishers. Students will be expected to publish at least one story in the Coast Report. Time commitments vary but students can expect to spend 4-5 hours per week outside of class on interviewing, writing and editing.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Eligible Disciplines

Journalism: Masters degree in journalism or communication with a specialization in journalism OR bachelors degree in either of the above AND masters degree in English, history, communication, literature, composition, comparative literature, any social science, business, business administration, marketing, graphics, or photography OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Brewer, Robert and Joanna Masterson. Writers Market, Latest ed. Chicago: FW Media, Inc., 2021 2. Required Friedlander, E.J., Lee, J.. Feature Writing: the Pursuit of Excellence, 7th ed. New Jersey: Pearson Publishing, 2011 Rationale: . 3. Required Zinsser, W.. On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction, latest ed. New York: HarperCollins, 2006 Rationale: .

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