Module: News Editing

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	News Editing
Module Code	JRR1023 (ITS: CM3018)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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.

Total Workload: 0

Section Breakdown
CRN	20576	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	David Robbins	Module Teacher	Paul Mcnamara

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment 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; 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

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.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None