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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).

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title News Editing
Module Code CM3018 (ITS) / JRR1023 (Banner)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School Communications
Module Co-ordinator-
Module Teachers-
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.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
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 Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Group presentationThe 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 TestThe 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
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

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