Humanities Intranet

CMM2003 - Professional Writing

2022/3 Module description

Staff
Credit Value	15
ECTS Value	7.5
NQF Level	5
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
Duration of Module	Term 1: 11 weeks;

Module description

In this module, you will learn how to create compelling narratives across forms, from journalism to blogging, and then apply these techniques to contemporary communications challenges. You will learn how to adapt your tone of voice according to the audience you are writing for, and to present complex content effectively for a range of platforms, channels and publications. This module will enable you to develop your professional skillset within a reflexive, theoretically informed communications framework.

Module aims

The module aims to:

Explore recent trends in the production and consumption of different forms of journalism and other professional writing since the rise of digital outlets and social media platforms
Encourage students to be adaptable, creative and reflexive in producing content for specific audiences across a variety of digital outlets and social media platforms
Develop writing skills that enhance the employability of graduates wishing to enter digital publishing, journalism, social media management, and/or other such areas of the cultural industries
Identify best practice within the field of professional writing, from journalism to brand narratives.

ILO: Module-specific skills

1. Deploy a diverse range of written skills in order to express ideas across multiple media outlets and digital platforms
2. Evaluate the appropriateness of tone, register and voice for specific audiences

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

3. Demonstrate detailed knowledge about the functions of a range of digital outlets and social media platforms
4. Explore theoretical concerns through practice, and vice versa, and synthesise findings in practical and written tasks.

ILO: Personal and key skills

5. Express and communicate creative ideas in constructive, adaptable and collaborative ways.
6. Develop an understanding of how branding and social media can be developed and deployed to engage with audiences and communities online.

Syllabus plan

Key topics on this module may include:

Storytelling in a digital age

Content curation and creation
Tone of voice and writing for specific audiences
Digital engagement and persuasion

Legacy media in the digital age: newspapers and magazines

Interviews
Feature writing
Reviews

Social media platforms and user-generated content

Building a brand through content publishing
Generating sticky content
Connecting with communities online

Professional writing

Ethical considerations
Code of conduct
Fact checking and editing

Publishing in a changing marketplace

Online
Analogue
Alternative

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
22	128	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching	11	11 x 1-hour lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching	11	11 x 1-hour workshops
Guided independent study	128	Private study

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Portfolio plan	500 words	2,3,5,6	Oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Portfolio (presented as a website showcasing a range of writing unified by a single theme and aimed at a particular audience).	75	Maximum total of 2500 words	1-3,5,6	Mark and written feedback
Critical Reflection	25	1000 words	1-6	Mark and written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Portfolio	Portfolio	1-3, 5, 6	Referral/Deferral period
Critical Reflection	Critical Reflection	1-6	Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Bradshaw, P. (2017). The Online Journalism Handbook: Skills to Survive and Thrive in the Digital Age. London: Routledge.
Charles, A, ed. (2014). The End of Journalism Version 2.0: Industry Technology & Politics. Oxford: Peter Lang.
Charles, A. (2014). Interactivity 2: New Media, Politics and Society. Oxford: Peter Lang.
Evans, H. (2000). Essential English for Journalists, Editors and Writers, London: Pimlico.
Franklin, B. et al. (2016). The Routledge Companion to Digital Journalism Studies. London: Routledge
Goldsmith, K. (2011). Uncreative Writing: Managing Language in the Digital Age. Columbia University Press.
Harcup, T. (2015). Journalism: Principles and Practice 3rd ed. London: SAGE.
Hennessy, B. (2013). Writing Feature Articles. Abingdon: Focal Press.
Hicks, W. (2013) Essential English for Journalists. London: Routledge.
Holmes, T (ed.) (2008), Mapping the Magazine: Comparative Studies in Magazine Journalism, Abingdon: Routledge.
Jackson, et al. (2001), Making Sense of Men’s Magazines, Cambridge: Polity.
King, S. (2012). On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. London: Hodder.
Knight, Megan, and Cook, Clare (2013) Social Media for Journalists: Principles and Practice. London: Sage.
Lamott, A. (2020). Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life. London: Canongate.
Madison, E. (2017) Reimagining Journalism in a Post-Truth World, London: Praeger
Malcolm. J. (2018). The Journalist and the Murderer. London: Granta.
Pape, S. and Featherstone, S. (2012). Feature Writing: A Practical Introduction. London: Sage.
Phillips, A. (2014) Journalism in Context: Practice and Theory for the Digital Age. London: Routledge
Rickerton, M. and Graham, C. (2017) Writing Feature Stories 2nd Ed. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.
Simmons, J. (2009). Twenty-six ways of looking at a blackberry: How to let writing release the creativity of your brand. London: A & C Black.
Stam, D. and Scott, A. (2014). Inside Magazine Publishing. London: Routledge.
Thomas, S. (2016). Monkeys with Typewriters: How to Write – and Read – Better. London: Canongate.
York, J. (2014). Into The Woods: How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them. London: Penguin

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Available as distance learning?

Origin date

07/01/2020

Last revision date

2/02/2021

Key words search

Journalism, digital journalism, social media, platforms, blogs, feature writing, media

Important please note

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