Master Syllabus MO1203, Media Writing I

Credits 3 Lab Hours 0 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical Hours 0
Course Description
Development of media writing styles and practice in the objective handling of news events. The course will emphasize current media trends, Associated Press news style, organizing and developing the news story, gathering information, various writing and assignment styles, and basic legal and ethical responsibilities.

For each unit of credit, a minimum of three hours per week with one of the hours for class and two hours for studying/preparation outside of class is expected.

Program and/or Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Humanities and Social Sciences is to foster an appreciation of the role that the humanities and social sciences has played in the evolution of civilized society and to explore the ways that an understanding of theory and practice in philosophy, the social and behavioral sciences, the fine arts, and written and oral expression will enable students to participate thoughtfully in a global society.

Academic Year
AY2025-26
SCCC Outcomes

Outcome #2: Communicate ideas clearly and proficiently in writing, appropriately adjusting content and arrangement for varying audiences, purposes, and situations.

Outcome #5: Demonstrate the ability to think critically by gathering facts, generating insights, analyzing data, and evaluating information.

Course Outcomes
  1. Students will gain an understanding of today's media and of news elements, principles, and ethics.
  2. Students will show practical understanding of the rudiments of news writing by understanding and writing story leads, organizing and developing news stories, using and attributing quotations, and studying the qualities of good writing.
  3. Students will learn how to do interviews and how to use electronic and written sources.
  4. Students will learn to apply various writing styles for different media outlets as required by basic assignments.
  5. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to use an Associated Stylebook or AP Stylebook.com and how to apply Associated Press Style rules.
  6. Students will show a rudimentary understanding of media ethics and media law.
Course Outline
  1. Associated Press Style/grammar/spelling
  2. Today's media and ingredients of news
  3. Summary leads
  4. Special leads
  5. Organizing a news story
  6. Quotations and attribution
  7. Online and broadcast media
  8. Gathering information
  9. Basic assignments
  10. Beats
  11. Media law and ethics
Instructional Methods
  1. Class lectures.
  2. Written and practical assignments.
  3. Online course management system (Canvas).
  4. Ongoing tests on grammar, spelling, and AP news style.
  5. Examinations.
Instructional Resources and Materials
  1. Associated PressStylebook
  2. Course Text
  3. Online exercises (Canvas)
  4. Industry texts, magazines, newspapers and materials
  5. Copy editing resources (AP Stylebook.com and others)
Methods of Assessment

Outcome 2. 1. Students will be required to communicate with others using interviewing and fact-finding techniques; they must then communicate findings in correct news writing style. The student should learn to use news judgment and be cognizant of demographic audience differences.

Outcome 5.

  1. AP Style/grammar/spelling quizzes
  2. News writing assignments, requiring recognition of elements of newsworthiness in story selection, interview skills, news writing style and organization, and copy editing.)
  3. Story critique forms completed by students for each writing assignment.
  4. Students will be required to show critical thinking skills through the determination of news elements and principles, gathering facts, arrangement of information through evaluation and prioritization, and practical use of Associated Press news style.
  5. Classroom exercises on ranking information, lead writing, and story organization.
  6. Critical thinking exercise in response to ethics case studies.

SCCC Policy

Academic Calendar
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Technical Help

Technical support is available by contacting the SCCC IT Department at itech@sccc.edu

Canvas Help:  canvashelp@sccc.edu

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Seward County Community College (SCCC) is committed to ensuring digital and physical accessibility for all students, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. In alignment with the U.S. Department of Justice Title II accessibility compliance deadlines, SCCC continues to enhance the accessibility of its instructional materials, technology, and online content.

SCCC utilizes tools to evaluate and improve the accessibility of digital course content and help the College reach its compliance goals.

If you need support or academic accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact the Mental Health Counselor at 620-417-1106 or visit the Student Success Center in the Hobble Academic Building, Room A149.

To promote equal access, SCCC strives to provide captions and transcripts for all course videos and multimedia materials. If you encounter any issues with captions, transcripts, or other accessibility features in this course, please notify your instructor immediately so the issue can be addressed and corrected as quickly as possible.

SCCC remains committed to creating a learning environment that ensures all students can fully participate in academic programs and college activities.