| Module Title |
Feature Writing |
| Module Code |
JRR1013 (ITS: CM2800) |
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Faculty |
Humanities & Social Sciences |
School |
Communications |
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NFQ level |
8 |
Credit Rating |
5 |
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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.
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Learning Outcomes
1. Identify the qualities of feature writing and how they differs from news.
2. Learn to develop a writing process that carries a story from concept to publication
3. Sharpen skills at focusing stories along a single, clearly articulated theme
4. Evaluate the importance of backgrounding in establishing the context, focus and sources of soundly reported stories
5. Analyze the connection between strong information and strong writing
6. Explore different models and devices for structuring stories
7. Constructively critique and be critiqued
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| Workload | Full time hours per semester | | Type | Hours | Description |
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| 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 |
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| Section Breakdown | | CRN | 11995 | Part of Term | Semester 1 | | Coursework | 100% | Examination Weight | 0% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | N | | Resit Category | RC1 | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | David Robbins | Module Teacher | Louise Bruton, Saumava Mitra |
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| 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
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Pre-requisite |
None
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Co-requisite |
None |
| Compatibles |
None |
| Incompatibles |
None |
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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
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
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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:
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Other Resources
None |
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