Syllabus

Communication 324

Feature Writing

260 BRMB, MW 1-2:15 p.m.

Fall 2014

Instructor: Steve Thomsen, Ph.D.

Office: 324 BRMB

Office Hours:  T 9-10:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m., or by appointment

Phone: 801-422-2078 (office), 801-361-5697 (cell)

Email: steven.r.thomsen@gmail.com

Class Website: communication324.blogspot.com

Course Description

In this class, you are going to learn how to be a better feature and freelance writer by conceiving, pitching, and writing a variety of different story types for the Universe and for other markets. You will expand your writing portfolio with profile, how-to, trend, travel/seasonal, and other major story types. This is a “lab-based” class where you will be producing a new article every few weeks. Story complexity will grow as the semester progresses. In sum, our goal is for you to think, talk, act, and write like a feature or magazine writer. My basic philosophy is simple: you become a better writer by writing. It is all about experience.

Learning Outcomes

o   Students will create meaningful article ideas and pitch them for niche and general audience publications.

o   Students will learn and apply feature-style storytelling techniques in compelling ways.

o   Students will apply personal ethics and professional norms in reporting and writing.

o   Students will learn business and legal principles associated with feature writing.

o   Students will expand their professional writer’s portfolios with publishable articles.

Text and Materials

I have compiled a number of articles and reading assignments that will be made available through our class website (communication324.blogspot.com).

Classroom Procedures and Policies

Attendance. Students are expected to practice professionalism by attending class regularly and being punctual and prepared to participate in class discussions. I reserve the right to lower a student’s final grade if he or she has more than two absences. For a pattern of unexcused absences that exceed the limit, a failing grade may be assigned.

Participation. I will create an index card for each student in the course. This will include your photo and will be used to help me quickly get to know you. I will use these in class to call on students during discussions. I will make notes about your attendance, readiness, and participation. Participation will be a part of your professionalism score.

Deadlines. In the world of journalism and publishing, nothing is more sacred than a deadline. You simply can’t miss them. In this class, deadlines will be sacred—right down to the minute. Nothing will be accepted late for any reason. So plan accordingly.

Grading Policy

I will follow the previously defined grading policy (established by the journalism faculty) for this class. This is a tough business and you need to be prepared for that. The following definitions should help you understand how articles will be evaluated and graded:

A: Outstanding, superior, great, striking. The angle, reporting and writing merits the article running or being pitched as a front-page or front-of-section story at a major regional newspaper or magazine. Most importantly the copy will be clean—very clean—no typos, mistakes, misspellings, etc.

B: Above average, skilled, commendable. This article is better than most articles that run in the Universe. Something about the angle, writing or reporting—but not everything—that makes it stand out from the rest. The article is good, but still needs some polishing and editing.

C: Average, normal, common, typical. It will take some extensive editing to get this into shape. Some questions still need to be answered. The angle, reporting, and writing could be improved.

D: Below average, unskilled, rough, deficient does not have the feel of being complete. The newsworthiness, reporting, writing, grammar, etc., simply are not acceptable for a professional article. The student is not performing to the minimum level of the class in some basic way. Please seek help immediately.

Plagiarism. This is the use of someone else’s ideas, words, or work without permission or proper acknowledgement (citation, attribution). This also includes making up facts and quotes. Plagiarism simply will not be tolerated. It is a violation of the BYU Honor Code, a violation of department policy, and a violation of every journalistic ethical standard. Students who are caught plagiarizing will receive an E for the assignment. A second violation will result in an E for the class, dismissal from the major, and a report to the BYU Honor Council.

Grades

Assignments	Points
Obituary	50
Profile	100
How-To Article	100
Seasonal/Travel Article	100
Trend Article	100
Query Letter Assignment	100
Blogs (10 @ 20 pts. each)	200
Total Points	750

Grading Scale. Final grades will be based on the following criteria: 92 percent of greater = A, 90-91 percent = A-, 88-89 percent = B+, 82-87 percent = B, 80-81 percent = B-, 78-79 percent = C+, 72-77 percent = C, 70-71 percent = C-, 68-69 percent = D+, 62-67 percent = D, 60-61 percent = D-, 59 percent or less = E.

Blogs

For many of our class sessions you have been given a pre-class preparation assignment. They are included in the course outline section of this syllabus. These assignments are to be completed the day prior to class. To find these assignments, please go to communication324.blogspot.com. I will post each assignment (in advance) as my blog. You are to post your blog (response to the assignment) as a comment/response to my blog. Please make sure you are clearly identified as the author of the blog so that you can receive credit for the assignment. Each blog must be posted by 5 p.m. on the day before we discuss the assignment in class. Remember, this is a Monday, Wednesday class. Monday’s blogs are due Sunday at 5 p.m., and Wednesday’s blogs are due Tuesday at 5 p.m., unless otherwise specified on the course outline (see below). I would encourage you to read and respond to your classmates’ blogs. This will be an effective way to establish a writers’ forum for our class.

Honor Code

In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university's expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.

Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education and pertains to admissions, academic and athletic programs, and university-sponsored activities. Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment of students by university employees, other students, and visitors to campus. If you encounter sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal Employment Office at 801-422-5895 or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours), or www.ethicspoint.com; or contact the Honor Code Office at 801-422-2847.

Student Disability

Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (422-2767). Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the SSD Office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures by contacting the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.

Academic Honesty

The first injunction of the BYU Honor Code is the call to be honest. Students come to the university not only to improve their minds, gain knowledge, and develop skills that will assist them in their life's work, but also to build character. President David O. McKay taught that "character is the highest aim of education" (The Aims of a BYU Education, p. 6). It is the purpose of the BYU Academic Honesty Policy to assist in fulfilling that aim. BYU students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.

Plagiarism

Writing submitted for credit at BYU must consist of the student's own ideas presented in sentences and paragraphs of his or her own construction. The work of other writers or speakers may be included when appropriate (as in a research paper or book review), but such material must support the student's own work (not substitute for it) and must be clearly identified by appropriate introduction and punctuation and by footnoting or other standard referencing. The substitution of another person's work for the student's own or the inclusion of another person's work without adequate acknowledgment (whether done intentionally or not) is known as plagiarism. It is a violation of academic, ethical, and legal standards and can result in a failing grade not only for the paper but also for the course in which the paper is written. In extreme cases, it can justify expulsion from the University. Because of the seriousness of the possible consequences, students who wonder if their papers are within these guidelines should visit the Writing Lab or consult a faculty member who specializes in the teaching of writing or who specializes in the subject discussed in the paper. Useful books to consult on the topic include the current Harcourt Brace College Handbook, the MLA Handbook, and James D. Lester's Writing Research Papers.

Penalties: The first time the student will receive a 0 for the assignment. The second time the student will receive a 0 for the class and will be referred to the Honor Code Office.

Course Outline

Date	Topic	Readings & Assignments
1/5	Introduction to course and syllabus review.	Personal Obituary, Due: 1/6 @ 5 p.m.
1/7	What makes for a good story? Discussion of obituary assignment. Journalistic decisions: Why did I ask that? Why did I include that?
1/12	Identifying Great Writing; Discussion of your blogs	Read: “Identifying Great Writing”; “Place of Sorrows,” “Coming Home” Due: Blog #1, 1/11 @ 5 p.m.
1/14	Avoiding Rookie Mistakes; Discussion of your blogs	Read: “Avoiding Rookie Mistakes”; “Food for Thought,” “Execution Scene Stark,” “The Bridge” Due: Blog #2, 1/13 @ 5 p.m.
1/19	Holiday—No Class
1/21	Finding Great Story Ideas—Taking the journalistic “walkabout.”	Read: “Finding Great Ideas” Due: Blog#3, 1/20 @ 5 p.m.
1/26	Writing the Personality Profile. Intro to Personality Profile Assignment.	Read: “Writing the Personality Profile,” “Game of her life”
1/28	Hooks, Leads, and Intros. Discussion of your blogs.	Read: “Capturing the Reader” Due: Blog #4, 1/27 @ 5 p.m.
2/2	Preparing to conduct the interview—logistics and challenges. Also, in-class work on Personality Profile. One-on-one “coaching” with instructor.
2/4	Structuring the profile. When and how to use anecdotes and narratives. In-class work and discussion.	Read: “Racing Split—Billy Mills” Due: Blog #5, 2/3 @ 5 p.m.
2/9	Scheduled One-on-One appointments with instructor. Sign up sheets will be made available in advance (in class and on my door). Please be sure to sign up.	Due: Personality Profile, today at 5 p.m.
2/11	Writing How-To Articles. Creating the “package.” What editors would like to see.	Read: “Writing the How-to Article,” “Your 1st Spring Triathlon Plan” Due: Blog #6, 2/10 @ 5 p.m.
2/16 2/17	No class Monday (Holiday) Monday Instruction on Tuesday. Putting some life into the “How-To”—writing in second person, what facts to include. In-class work and discussion.
2/18	Scheduled One-on-One Appointments with instructor. Sign up sheets will be made available in advance (in class and on my door). Please be sure to sign up.
2/23	Scheduled One-on-One Appointments with instructor. Sign up sheets will be made available in advance (in class and on my door). Please be sure to sign up.	Due: How-To Article, 2/23 @ 5 p.m.
2/25	Writing the Travel/Seasonal Article. Discussion of your blogs.	Read: “Travel and Seasonal Articles” Due: Blog #7, 2/24 @ 5 p.m.
3/2	The Freelance Market for Travel Journalism. Lead times. Can you really make a buck? In class work on Travel/Seasonal article.
3/4	What makes for a great travel seasonal piece? Discussion.	Please bring an interesting travel piece you have found online or in a magazine and be prepared to share it with the class.
3/9	Scheduled One-on-One Appointments with instructor. Sign up sheets will be made available in advance (in class and on my door). Please be sure to sign up.
3/11	Scheduled One-on-One Interviews with instructor. Sign up sheets will be made available in advance (in class and on my door). Please be sure to sign up.	Due: Travel/Seasonal Article, 3/11 @ 5 p.m.
3/16	Writing the Trend/Depth/ Controversy Article. Discussion of your blogs.	Read: “Writing the Trend Article” Due: Blog #8, 3/15 @ 5 p.m.
3/18	Writing Query Letters. Discussion of your blogs.	Read: “Query Letters,” “Query Letter Clinic” Due: Blog #9, 3/17 @ 5 p.m.
3/23	Scheduled One-on-One Appointments with instructor. Sign up sheets will be made available in advance (in class and on my door). Please be sure to sign up.	Due: Query Letter, Today, 3/23 @ 5 p.m.
3/25	Identifying trends locally. Discussion of your ideas, sources, use of internet research. How to use secondary sources. In-class work on Trend article.
3/30	Scheduled One-on-One Appointments with instructor. Sign up sheets will be made available in advance (in class and on my door). Please be sure to sign up.
4/1	Scheduled One-on-One Appointments with instructor. Sign up sheets will be made available in advance (in class and on my door). Please be sure to sign up.
4/6	Scheduled One-on-One Appointments with instructor. Sign up sheets will be made available in advance (in class and on my door). Please be sure to sign up.
4/8	Scheduled One-on-One Appointments with instructor. Sign up sheets will be made available in advance (in class and on my door). Please be sure to sign up.	Due: Blog #10 (Course feedback to professor), 4/8 @ 5 p.m.
4/18		Due: Trend article, 4/18 @ 5 p.m.