Professional Journalism - Getting It Write

This course is designed to introduce learners to the fundamental skills of the modern journalist. Participants will discuss the nature of journalistic responsibility and objectivity, and will develop their skills in writing and research for print and other media. The course will increase participants' understanding of the essential components of a news presentation.

Entry Requirements

Computer Literacy

Programme Content

Session 1

What is journalism?

Presentations & Discussions:

• Course introduction
• What is journalism?
• History of journalism
• The role of the journalist
• Challenges facing journalists around the world and in the region
• Different types of articles – news, feature, reviews, columns
• Newsworthiness – What is news?
• News and feature angles

Exercises:

Finding story angles from online sources

Session 2

Sources & Interviews

Presentations & Discussions

• Developing angles
• Different types of sources
• Choosing and pinning down sources
• Developing questions and conducting an interview
• Importance of quotes; choosing and using quotes

Exercises:

Classmate interviews

Session 3

Writing the news

Presentations & Discussions:

• Writing the news story
• How do you know when you’ve gotten it right

Exercises:

Writing a lede

Writing a story outline

Session 4

The feature story

Presentations & Discussions:

• Features versus news
• Feature introduction and nutgraphs
• Feature story structure & writing styles
• Sidebars
• Exercises:

Practise feature intros and nutgraphs

Session 5

Opinion writing

Presentations & Discussions

• Professional Ethics in journalism
• Is objectivity possible? – recognizing and reducing bias
• Writing reviews/columns/editorials
• What makes them different from other forms of journalism writing

Exercises:

Practice opinion writing

Session 6

Investigative journalism

Presentations & Discussions

• What is investigative journalism
• The challenges of investigative journalism

Exercises

Suggest and plan an investigative piece

Session 7

Grammar & clarity

Presentations & Discussions

• Common grammar mistakes in journalism and how to avoid them
• The importance of clarity in news writing and how to achieve it

Exercises:

Grammar exercises

Session 8

Course review

Presentations & Discussions

• Course conclusion and review
• Developing your craft
• Career opportunities in journalism; freelancing
• The challenges of the modern newsroom
• The role of the editor, choosing stories, meeting deadlines

Registration Information

* Please note that all information is subject to change. It is advisable to confirm all information before registration.
* Registration for all Short Media courses can be done at the Champs Fleurs, Port-of-Spain, Trincity or San Fernando Campus.
* Payment of fees can be made by linx, credit card or cheque.
* An administration fee of $100.00 is payable on all registrations.
* A late fee of $20 will apply on registrations within 1 week of commencement of class.
* A Certificate of participation is awarded to each participant upon satisfying 80% attendance of classes and/or any exam or course-work assigned by lecturer.

Schedule