Introduction to Media Writing

Subject MECM20009 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, 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

On Campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2.5
Total Time Commitment: 102
Prerequisites: Completion of at least 12.5 points of in a first year subject offered by the Faculty of Arts or a first year University Breadth Subject (UBS).
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: 100-101 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

Ingrid Volkmer

ivolkmer@unimelb.edu.au

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. Professional Writing is theoretically complementary to 100-100 (Introduction to Media and Communications) , and also functions as preparation for those students wishing to take 100-205 (Writing Journalism) in second 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 consisting of a class presentation project, completed in small groups throughout the semester, 10% (equivalent to 500 words); three short pieces which will be a range of mass-media genres targeted at current media forms such as newspapers, student publications and magazines due in weeks 3, 4 and 8, 50% (equivalent to 2000 words); a final submission of three pieces, 30% (equivalent to 1500 words) in the examination period. Participation in tutorial workshops and online reading forums 10% assessed continuously. This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. Assessment submitted late without an aproved 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:

Word Bytes: Writing in the Information Society (C Lee) MUP

A subject reader will be available.

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 as Breadth or to students enrolled in the BA (Media and Communications) 105-MC.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications) & Bachelor of Commerce
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Media and Communications
Media and Communications
Media and Communications

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