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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
News Writing
Reference CBM129 Version 2
Created April 2023 SCQF Level SCQF 11
Approved June 2018 SCQF Points 15
Amended July 2023 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
1. To apply theoretical news values and the language of news in news-gathering and new writing for converging multimedia platforms to a level which meets professional standards. 2. To develop an ability to critically reflect on the role and responsibilities of news reporters, the ethics of news journalism and the relevance to news practice of theoretical paradigms like news selection, framing and gate-keeping.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Display an understanding of news values and news language and their varying applications to a converging journalistic environment.
2 Demonstrate a critical awareness of how theoretical concepts such as news selection, framing, gate-keeping and gate-watching - and issues around bias and objectivity - apply to the day-to-day practice of news reporting.
3 Show an ability to independently gather news stories in the field by making contacts, evaluating source material, carrying out interviews, and collecting and interrogating data.
4 Demonstrate an ability to translate academic theory into professional practice by writing news for online and print to a publishable standard.
5 Show an ability to manage time effectively under pressure by producing high-quality news copy to a tight deadline.

Indicative Module Content
An understanding of the concept of news values applied to the technical mechanics of news-gathering and writing are core skills for journalists working across converging multimedia platforms in print, online and broadcast. This module provides a practice-based approach to developing students' news values and news-gathering skills, through developing contacts, evaluating different types of source material, carrying out interviews, and writing clean, structured news copy to deadlines - with a particular emphasis on print and online. The practical focus is underpinned by an introduction to more academic debates about bias and objectivity, news selection, framing and gate-keeping.

Module Delivery
This module will focus on practical workshops designed to develop high quality writing and real-world news-gathering in the field. The programme will be supported by a mix of weekly lectures and seminars and visiting speakers from the newspaper industry.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 36 N/A
Non-Contact Hours 114 N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 N/A
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Description: Portfolio Assessment: A range of written, broadcast, or digital artefacts produced collaboratively and/or individually. Detailed assessment instructions will be provided in the module guide which is updated each year to reflect changing industry requirements.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
The calculation of the overall grade for this module is based on 100% weighting of C1. An overall minimum grade of D is required to pass the module.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A The student needs to achieve an A in C1.
B The student needs to achieve a B in C1.
C The student needs to achieve a C in C1.
D The student needs to achieve a D in C1.
E The student needs to achieve an E in C1.
F The student needs to achieve an F in C1.
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 BRIGHTON, P. and FOY, D., 2014. News values. London: Sage. Kindle e-book.
2 CRAIG, R., 2004. Online Journalism: Reporting, Writing and Editing for New Media . London: Thomson Wadsworth.
3 EVANS, H., and CRAWFORD, G., 2000. Essential English for journalists, editors and writers. London: Pimlico.
4 HARCUP,T., 2015. Journalism: Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications
5 HICKS,W. et al., 2016. Writing for journalists. 3rd ed. London: Routledge. Kindle e-book.
6 KOLODZY, J., 2013. Convergence journalism: writing and reporting across the news media. Oxford: Rowman and Littlefield. Kindle e-book.
7 MCKANE, A., 2013. News Writing. 2nd ed. London: Sage
8 RANDALL, D., 2016. The universal journalist. 5th ed. London: Pluto Press. ebook

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781