Introduction to Media Writing

Subject MECM20009 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1-hour lecture and 2-hours of tutorials/workshops per week
Total Time Commitment: 3 contact hours/week , 5 additional hours/week. Total of 8 hours per week.
Prerequisites:

None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: 100-101/MECM10002 Professional Writing
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Carolyne Lee

Contact

Carolyne Lee
carolyne@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject aims to enhance students' writing in general by introducing them to the fundamental skills used by professional writers within the Media and Communications industries. Through a workshop format, students will work on their own news stories in order to enhance their mastery of written communication. Students will be made familiar with strategies for planning, editing and revising their work, as well as that of others. Students will also become familiar with various styles and contexts of media writing and develop an understanding of the various writing skills required to communicate effectively to mass audiences. In addition, through the lecture format, students will learn how to view media prose critically by way of theoretical considerations such as rhetoric, the relationship between print media and democracy and between journalism and public relations, editorial constraints, and audience analysis, and also functions as preparation for those students wishing to take Writing Journalism in 3rd year.
Objectives: Students who complete this subject will:

  • be able to evaluate the rhetorical effectiveness of a range of different examples of media writing;
  • be able to demonstrate in their own work a mastery of the general prose style appropriate for media communication across a range of prose genres;
  • understand, at a basic level, theoretical considerations such as rhetoric, the relationship between print media and democracy, the ethics and practice of public relations, and audience analysis;
  • be able to incorporate in the execution of their writing some evidence of a basic awareness of audience, and of theoretical considerations of print media (as above).
Assessment: Assessment equivalent to 4000 words written work comprising a 350 word magazine article 10% (first draft due week 3), a 1000 word narrative media article 15% (first draft due week 4), a 750 word travel article 15% (due at the end of the semester), a one-page media release plus a one page pitch for a new media promotion idea equivalent to 225 words 10% (due at the end of the semester), a 750 word opinion article 15% (first draft due in week 8), a 700 word book review 15% (due at the end of the semester) and a class presentation project done in small groups equivalent to 225 words 10% (done throughout the semester). Participation in tutorial workshops and online reading forums 10% (assessed continuously). This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75%, regular participation in tutorials are required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available.
  • Word Bytes: Writing in the Information Society (C Lee) MUP 2009
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • be familiar with planning, editing and revising their own and others' writing in order to enhance and develop written communication skills;
  • be able to prepare, present and discuss their own ideas in both oral and written mode, and in conformity with the conventions of academic oral presentation;
  • be able to participate constructively in discussion and group activities.
Notes: This subject is not available to students enrolled in the BA (Media and Communications) 105-MC, BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Commerce, and BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Laws.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Media and Communications
Media and Communications
Media and Communications

Download PDF version.