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Syllabus Index: DESCRIPTION || SUPPLIES || GRADING || OPPORTUNITIES || The Voice || PORTFOLIO || EVALS || SCHEDULE

   Analysis of the feature form; readings in the genre; writing for publication including news analyses, op-eds, profiles and investigative reporting. Publication analysis and use of query letters to break into freelance market.

• COMM 3033 (Communication Writing)
• Keyboard proficiency
• Working knowledge of the Internet and email

    Demonstrate the ability to write feature articles fluently, concisely and clearly under deadline pressure conforming to AP style with few errors and NO factual errors, culminating in a portfolio. Practice specific story types, offer context, and learn the art of writing and marketing the feature story. Use the Internet to stay abreast of current events in business, politics, the arts, finance, science, media and international affairs. Demonstrate an understanding of journalistic ethics, and skill using common technologies found in newspaper and magazine production.

TEXTS AND SUPPLIES

• Friedlander, E.J. & Lee, J. "Feature Writing for Newspapers and Magazines." (7th edition). Pearson. (2011) ISBN-10: 0205747809 | ISBN-13: 9780205747801
• "The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual." (latest edition). The Associated Press (2011) ISBN 978-0-917360-55-8
• Garlock, D. (ed) "Pulitzer Prize Feature Stories." (2nd edition). Wiley-Blackwell. (2003) ISBN-10: 0813825458 | ISBN-13: 978-0813825458
• Blundell, W.E. "The Art and Craft of Feature Writing." Plume. (1988) ISBN-10: 0452261589 | ISBN-13: 978-0452261587
• Writer's Market (current issue or digital format)
• Day Planner
• 2GB storage Electronic device, DropBox or MediaFire
• "Local" newspaper of your choice (Pine Bluff Commercial, regional publications available outside Wells lab)
• A good collegiate dictionary

1. Read the Textbook and Stylebook. Your exam and publications reflect knowledge you gain over the semester.
2. Write on topic. It's not enough to talk about writing, i.e. you must write. I coach you along the way by pointing out places to improve. After a time, you lose additional points for repeated mistakes.
3. Attend. Get Involved. Realize you only get four cuts over the semester or fall victim to the attendance policy. Understand you bring perspective on issues that otherwise might not be considered. We all lose if you're not here.
4. Adhere to deadlines. ALL communication jobs meet deadlines. Every one of them. Read chapters and work on assignments prior to each class meeting. Submit assignments in the proper format by deadline, i.e. the beginning of class on the date listed.

   I grade on performance, not effort — it takes great effort to perform. Your grade includes in-class and out-of-class writing opportunities, published work, reading discussions, attendance and class participation.

   Learn from your mistakes. The only bad mistake you'll make is by repeating a mistake you've previously made. I encourage you to use two sets of eyes on your article's copy before it's submitted for a grade.

   You must have clean copy when submitting assignments for a final grade. AVOID silly mistakes by sending your work to Grammarly Handbook and Grammarly Answers, then learning why it made the suggested changes so that you don't make the same mistake twice. Though you won't receive credit for rewrites, I suggest taking the time to rewrite graded work. Not only will it help you understand the attributes of a successfully written article, it will also prepare you for the portfolio due at semester's end.

Fatal errors — People can sue if you publish incorrect factual information, i.e. fabrications and incorrect age, name spellings, addresses and date or time of an activity. Work with fatal errors will receive a 20-point deduction for each instance.

Nonfatal errors — Expect deductions (-2) for each spelling, grammatical or typing error, and a (-3) deduction for other nonfatal errors, including AP Style.

CLASS PARTICIPATION

   You will not succeed in this class if you do not contribute to our discussions with enthusiasm and sincerity. Like life, the more you put into the course, the more you'll get out of it.

   Though points will accumulate for multiple errors, typically papers receive grades as listed below:

A — Publishable article with minor editing, featuring a compelling lead and excellent writing that is well organized and thoroughly covers the topic. It contains no factual errors.

   In addition to the texts, you should read the Sunday New York Times Magazine for examples of excellent feature writing. You should also continue to keep up with current events, as they will provide feature ideas. You'll write, interview and research a lot in this class; if it's not your thing, you might consider something else.

EXTRA CREDIT

   You can receive up to 100 points once per semester by publishing a feature article in a recognized non-campus publication. It MUST be a feature, NOT an A&E review, commentary or letter to the editor.

   Points will be based on length and placement of the feature, e.g. if your feature makes the cover for a local newspaper or appears in a magazine or alternative publication, you'll receive all the points. For a small (500-750 words) inside feature for a local publication, you might only receive 50 points. In such cases, you may petition me to allow a second opportunity so that you can publish two small features for full extra credit. Submit clips with portfolio.

Class Writings

   You'll post five short writing assignments to the class discussion board. Members of the class will provide constructive criticism in postings. Cover the following in 500-750 words:

Observation Process Bias anecdote

Food Place

Rough draft critiques

   You will write two short critiques of first drafts written by fellow students and be prepared to discuss them. By giving and receiving peer critiques, you will learn to sharpen your work and your thinking. As the writer, your first draft should include three attachments:

1. abstract suitable for publication's web page
2. visualization suggestions
3. resource list providing primary and secondary sources and sufficient information for a fact checker

   Your midterm will be a 1,500- 2,000 word news feature story discussing a trend or issue affecting the UAM or Southeast Arkansas community, based on key facts and quotes in the gathered literature, and supported with quotes from sources in this region to add the proximity angle to your article. A trend or issue isn't just covering event such as the activities fair and interviewing a lot of people, although that would be a good regular news story.

   Start looking now for changes or issues being discussed on campus this will save you time later. It requires at least five sources. You should tell your sources that you're writing for publication. The article should contain a delayed news lead. It should end with either a circular, climatic or surprise ending.

   Submit a one-page description of your topic by Week 3 for my approval. Submit a rough draft by Week 7. Though you may submit your midterm prior, the deadline is Week 8, beginning of class. For more on deadlines, see the General Class Policies.

FREELANCE FEATURE aka Final

   Your final concentrates on writing and marketing the in-depth magazine article, a process that includes generating ideas, writing a query letter, working with editors, researching, identifying and using multiple sources, using outlines and drafts, and polishing a final article. By semester's end, you will produce a query letter and a polished, 2,500-word non-fiction feature article to be submitted on spec to a publication of your choice. Final specifications will be provided later in the semester

   You must write five stories for The Voice, i.e. you should write articles with the campus community in mind as your audience. They depend on you to be their eyes and ears at functions they cannot attend. As you're no longer novice reporters, your stories should be at least two-to-three pages in length; anything less may not be counted for credit. NEVER submit a first draft for publication. While you may choose any feature story type for your final two articles, you must write at least one of each of the following:

1. a news analysis of a panel discussion or meeting of the Student Government Association, Greek Council or the Assembly
2. either a commentary or a review/critique of food, art, music, theater or movies of 500 to 1,200 words
3. a personality profile of 750-1,000 words

1. a complete description of the idea
2. your angle
3. why the story's important
4. a list of possible sources (no fewer than three humans, one reference)
5. illustration/photo potential

  The Voice Submissions: Submit your articles to The Voice's email and make sure to send an original to me for grading! Keep track of your published work to add them to your portfolio at the end of the semester.

PORTFOLIO

   You're responsible for keeping track of your articles and briefs on your disk and in traditional paper form. You will maintain a portfolio containing:

• resume
• any published work
• Writing assignments, including:

• an edited version of your article — I will be looking for AP style, passive voice, grammar, punctuation and spelling errors. This version should be virtually free of those!
• an original copy of your article — This is the version originally returned to you. I may not catch every mistake the first time, so be sure you look for mistakes in addition to the ones I caught the first time.
• paragraph detailing the lesson learned from this experience — Next to the article, or on the next page, briefly explain one thing you learned from the process of writing the article, e.g.
  • What did the copy-editing of the story teach you about conciseness, accuracy or news style?
  • What problems did you encounter covering the story and how did you solve them?
  • What news values does the story contain?

The following quotes came from student evaluations of the previous incarnation of the course, i.e. Media Ethics. Thanks to the comments, portions of the class have changed for the better in the new incarnation: