Focus on writing skills required for successful communication in media, strategic, and academic settings. Class activities and homework assignments emphasize foundations of good writing: grammar, spelling, usage, vocabulary, punctuation, and style. Students will learn diverse approaches used in media writing, strategic communication, and academic writing. A secondary focus is avoiding plagiarism.

No required text; online and CANVAS readings will be assigned.

Recommended Texts

• Any reference on AP style writing — Associated Press Style Guide (not APA). See: Purdue OWL: AP Style

Other titles and supplemental information may be posted on CANVAS.

Course Objectives

• To learn and practice good writing, spelling, usage, vocabulary, punctuation, and style.
• To learn diverse approaches used in media writing, strategic communication, and academic writing.
• A secondary focus is understanding and avoiding plagiarism.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment

• Class activities and homework assignments emphasize foundations of good writing. Understanding of course content will be measured through satisfactory performance on written assignments, quizzes, and tests.
• Demonstrate the ability to articulate different styles of writing in various written assignments.
• Demonstrate the ability to write effectively by preparing a sample of writing in a portfolio collection suitable for use as evidence for job and school applications.

Assignments and Expectations

Assigned readings and discussion: Come prepared to discuss the assigned topic. Attend class and participate in class discussions about each topic and chapter.

In-class writing assignments: Students will write in class. In general, assignments will be announced on the class schedule; some may be unscheduled. These assignments cannot be made up or taken at a different time. Working quickly and meeting deadlines is essential in writing for communication; some assignments will be timed.

Online quizzes (CANVAS): Complete quizzes in CANVAS to encourage reading and reinforce grammar concepts.

Written assignments and style requirements: Unless specified otherwise, all stories are to be written in third person. Only two stories may be written in first person — the blog/web story and the editorial. Stories not written in third person will receive an F grade. All papers must comply with AP style. Some or all papers will be submitted electronically on CANVAS. Deadlines are firm and late submissions may not receive full credit.

Fulfilled/Pass/Fail grading rubric (for select assignments): Some stories will be graded on a scale of Fulfilled Assignment (50 points), Pass (35 points), or Fail (0 points). To earn full points, comply with all requirements without any major factual errors and with minimal spelling and grammar problems. Limited feedback will be provided on these FA/P/F assignments. Other assignments will be fully graded and worth more points.

Assignment Details

• CANVAS Competency: Demonstrate access to CANVAS and the ability to use the online feedback system by following instructions in CANVAS. 25 points.
• First Sample Story: A 200-word “hard news” story about something personally observed or reported via interviews with observers. Must be third person and include at least two direct quotes. Graded as Fulfill/Pass/Fail. 25 points.
• Obituary: A 200-word obituary about you. Details on date, cause of death, and funeral arrangements will be provided; do not fabricate any other information. Must include required parts of a standard obituary in the correct order. Fulfill/Pass/Fail. 25 points.
• Spot News Story: A 300-word story on an unexpected event, written in inverted pyramid style with the most important information first, including at least two quotes. 100 points.
• Speech or Meeting Story: A 300-word story on a speech or meeting with at least two direct quotes from the event. 100 points.
• Sports Story: A 300-word story on a formal sports event, including at least two quotes from athletes, coaches, fans, or officials; handle numbers per guidelines. Fulfill/Pass/Fail. 25 points.
• Feature Story: A 300-word feature using an appropriate feature lead and including at least two direct quotes, written in feature style (not hard news). 100 points.
• Digital/Web/Blog Story: A 200-word story for the web following web-writing characteristics. Fulfill/Pass/Fail. 25 points.
• Broadcast Story: A 100-word broadcast-style story, ideally beginning with what is happening “now.” 25 points.
• Advertisement Copy: A single page of text and images promoting a product or idea. 25 points (listed as Advertising Writing in the points table).
• Editorial on Media Ethics: A 200-word editorial suitable for submission to a newspaper editor, following editorial-writing guidelines. Fulfill/Pass/Fail. 25 points.
• Public Relations News Release: A 200-word news release for an actual client/event/product/promotion including all required components. 100 points.
• Writing Sample Portfolio: Link to your online portfolio with at least five writing samples from this class, this semester. 25 points.
• Online Quizzes: Ten quizzes delivered via CANVAS. 100 points total.
• In-class Writing Assignments: Five assignments at 10 points each. 50 points total.
• Final Exam: Comprehensive final. 100 points.

Assignment Points

Grading Scale

90–100% = A, 80–89% = B, 70–79% = C, 60–69% = D, Less than 60% = F

Additional Assignment Rules

Note for this class: Every assignment submitted should report on actual events unless specified otherwise. Only specific assignments and in-class exercises designated by the instructor may involve fabricated information. Stories must be true and factual; do not make up quotes. You are expected to collect facts, interviews, and other information personally. Do not write stories based on other news media reports or other indirect experience. Unless a professional team is playing in Cedar City or you personally attend a game while you are out of town, do not write about professional sports or other events in a different city. Write stories in third person; you are never the subject of the story.

Timeliness: All stories are to be written during this semester. Events, activities, and subjects should be timely and relevant to this term. For news stories, focus on current events. For the blog/web assignment, you may provide your current perspective on a past event, but the writing should be new for this class. Feature stories may discuss past events as part of a subject’s life story.

Work assigned during class cannot be made up for classes that are missed. Deadlines in the CANVAS system are fixed and will not be altered for individuals’ needs.

I do accept late work on a case-by-case basis if students contact me in a timely manner (before or within one day) and in a professional manner (well written email).

If you know of conflicts or challenges, turn the assignment in early. No other makeup or extra credit work is available. Don’t expect the CANVAS system to be lenient and don’t expect your clock to be exact with CANVAS. Don’t risk “last second” submissions.

Regular attendance is required at all class meetings. The absence of more than three class sessions during the semester will result in a drop of a full letter grade. Roll is not formally taken but attendance patterns will be observed and recorded by the professor.

The instructor has the responsibility to award points based on class discussion, encouraging communication students to practice communicating. Attending and participating in class requires that your mind be focused on the class.

If the professor observes the use of the computers for anything other than class assignments, the student will not receive credit for attendance that day. The student’s mind cannot be in attendance while checking email and social networking sites.