| Module Title |
Feature Writing |
| Module Code |
JRR1013 (ITS: CM2800) |
|
Faculty |
Communications |
School |
Humanities & Social Sciences |
|
NFQ level |
8 |
Credit Rating |
5 |
|
|
Description
This course will teach students how to write compelling features, stories that look to a corner of the news and illuminate it. Unlike news stories, features are imbued with scenes and vignettes which often show rather than tell. A good feature is grounded in a specific time or place and is almost always inhabited by people. They can be embedded in an ongoing new events, or come at a story from an offbeat angle. The class will be grounded in a workshop environment in which students will begin to work on and understand this craft, critiquing their own and each other’s features.
|
Learning Outcomes
1. Identify the qualities of feature writing and how they differs from news.
2. 1D996734-0D09-0001-73E0-D4C0C0006620
3. Explore different models and devices for structuring stories
|
| Workload | Full time hours per semester | | Type | Hours | Description |
|---|
| Lecture | 22 | Weekly lectures | | Assignment Completion | 25 | Types of feature stories. Practicum | | Assignment Completion | 24 | Writing the first feature story | | Assignment Completion | 10 | The 800-word newsfeature. A staple. | | Assignment Completion | 22 | The longer feature | | Independent Study | 22 | Reading from a wide variety of feature materials |
| Total Workload: 125 |
|
|
| Section Breakdown | | CRN | 11995 | Part of Term | Semester 1 | | Coursework | 0% | Examination Weight | 0% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | Y | | Resit Category | RC1 | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | Saumava Mitra | Module Teacher | Louise Bruton |
|
| Assessment Breakdown |
| Type | Description | % of total | Assessment Date |
|---|
| Performance evaluation | Evaluation based on a mix of features across genres and formats produced during the module. Focus on principal formats, with flexibility to reflect students' interests and ability. | 100% | As required |
| Reassessment Requirement Type |
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment
|
|
Pre-requisite |
None
|
|
Co-requisite |
None |
| Compatibles |
None |
| Incompatibles |
None |
|
|
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
Error parsing Indicative Content: Syntax error - 4 |
Indicative Reading List
Books:
- Carl Sessions Stepp,: 2007, Writing as Craft and Magic, 2nd, Oxford University Press,
- Sharon Wheeler,: 2009, Feature writing for journalists, Routledge,,
- Harold Evans: 2000, Essential English for Journalists, Editors and Writers, 2nd,
Articles:
- 0: Irish Times, 10202, 1
- Irish Independent:
|
Other Resources
None |
|
|
|
|
