Module: News Editing

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	News Editing
Module Code	CM3018 (ITS) / JRR1023 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
Module Co-ordinator	David Robbins
Module Teachers	Paul Mcnamara
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the concepts and skills involved in editing news and news features.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the organisational structure and practices of a subs desk.
2. Distinguish readability from legibility.
3. Demonstrate an ability to edit and/or rewrite news and news features copy fairly and quickly.
4. Write standfirsts, headlines, straplines, subheads, crossheads, pullquotes and captions for a wide variety of media.
5. Display a basic knowledge of the technical aspects of typography, its architecture and furniture.
6. Process a wide range of news articles and news features which are complete, fair to all parties mentioned therein and interesting.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Total Workload: 0

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

TOPICS
Module descriptor; reading list; assessment regime; editing desk structure; sub-editing functions; news v features; use of graphics; visualization; readability v legibility; Gunning's fog index; copy checking; defamation; privilege; sub judice; copy editing for print, online and brodcast; writing v editing as careers; duties of down-table sub; writing headlines - direct v oblique approaches; fitting headlines; turn heads and lines; headlines for court, crime, accident, sport and business stories; headlines on running stories and special/freestyle headlines; headline count, shape, size, pattern, typography, accessories; choosing and mixing display faces; subheads - style and frequency, when to use, where to position and how to space; captions - their role and how to write them; in-class-test.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Group presentation	The group will detail how it edited an assigned news story or news feature, present the finished article and subsequently furnish a report on the process.	20%	Every Week
In Class Test	The computerised in-class-test will examine students' knowledge of the theory which informs the editing process and their ability to edit to deadline.	80%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Brooks, Brian S. & Pinson, James L.: 2022, The Art of Editing in the Age of Convergence, Routledge, New York,
Holmes, Tim: 2016, Subediting and Production for Journalists, Routledge, Oxford,
Friend, Cecilia & Challenger, Donald: 2014, Contemporary Editing, Routledge, New York,
Ellis, Barbara G.: 2001, The Copy-editing and Headline Handbook, Perseus, Cambridge, MA,

Other Resources

None