Module Title:             LAN 303 Print Journalism

Credit Value:             12

Module Tutor:           Ms. Sangay Tshechu

General Objectives

This module has been designed keeping in mind the second year university students of English literature and language. One of the distinctive qualities of the module is that it focuses on writing skills and aims at making the learner aware of how writing for newspaper is different from other forms of creative expression. Thus, it orients students in brief, with the newspaper industry, the components of a newspaper and with magazine publications and the basics of print journalism and nurture journalistic skills. In addition, it enables students to produce campus newsletters and gain hands-on practice in print journalism.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

·         critically analyze a news paper article;

·         differentiate how the language of newspaper is different from other forms of creative expression;

·         demonstrate knowledge of fundamentals of a news report;

·         attain essential interviewing skills;

·         differentiate between ‘opinion’, and ‘fact’ as well as between the ‘content’ words and ‘structure’ words.

·         report and write stories for newspapers.

Subject Matter:

1.      Introduction:

General introduction to various types of media.

Discussion on various media in Bhutan.

2.               A brief overview of denvelopment of print journalism in Bhutan

The significance of Right to Information. Concept of Right to information or Access to Information in Bhutan.

3.      News:

  Definition, factors determining news

  Major categories of news

4.       Developing Headline:

Content and structure words

Usage the Simple Present Tense

Usage Passive voice without by- phrase or the doer

5.       Essentials of a newspaper story:

Three parts of a news story, developing a news story: body, coherence and cohesion.

Inverted pyramid style

Writing a lead using the 5 Ws and 1 H, various types of leads and headlines

Basic Reporting: definition, various types of reporting

6.       Editorial writing:

Difference: an editorial and a news story

Developing opinion with coherence

7.      Interviewing:

Skills of interview- Manner of introduction, giving lead and listening, keeping alert and manner of closing the interview

Preparing for the interview

8.      Book Review:

Structure of a book review:

Introduction; contents of the book under review;

the purpose or audience for the book and evaluation.

Placing the book in context and criteria for judging the book

a summary of the main points of the book, quoting and paraphrasing key phrases from the author.

9.      Evaluation

10.  Advertising:

Various types and its significance

Language of advertisement and lay out of an advertisement

Teaching and Learning Approach

Lecture:  2hrs/wk

Tutorials: 2 hrs/wk (including writing skills, group exercises, discussion, presentation)

Assessment:

Essential Reading:

Aggarwal, V. B. (2006).  Essential of practical journalism. New Delhi: Concept publishing company.

Batty, C. & Cain, S. (2010). Media writing: A Practical Introduction. New York (NY): Palgrave Macmillan.

Garst, H. E., Berstein, & Theodore, M.  (1982). Headlines and deadlines (4^th ed). New York: Columbia University Press.

Mencher, M. (2007). Melvin Mencher's News Reporting and Writing. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Strunk, W., & White, E. B. (2008).The elements of style (4^th ed). Massachusetts: Allyn and Bacon.

Suggested Reading:

Passante, C. K. (2007). The complete idiot’s guide to journalism. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha.

Sally Adams, S. (2009). Interviewing for journalists. Routledge.

Rantanen & Terhi. (2009). When news becomes new. Wiley-Blackwell.

                      Module Developed by Ms. Sangay Tshechu & Mr.Shyam Hazari