100-101 Professional Writing

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the BA (Media and Communications), BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Commerce, and BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Laws.

This subject aims to enhance students' writing in general by introducing them to the fundamental skills used by professional writers within the Media and Communications industries. Through a workshop format, students will work on their own news stories in order to enhance their mastery of written communication. Students will be made familiar with strategies for planning, editing and revising their work, as well as that of others. Students will also become familiar with various styles and contexts of media writing and develop an understanding of the various writing skills required to communicate effectively to mass audiences. In addition, through the lecture format, students will learn how to view media prose critically by way of theoretical considerations such as rhetoric, the relationship between print media and democracy and between journalism and public relations, editorial constraints, and audience analysis. Professional Writing is theoretically complementary to 100-100 Introduction to Media and Communications, and also functions as preparation for those students wishing to take 100-205 Writing Journalism in second year.

• be familiar with planning, editing and revising their own and others' writing in order to enhance and develop written communication skills;

• be able to prepare, present and discuss their own ideas in both oral and written mode, and in conformity with the conventions of academic oral presentation;

• be able to participate constructively in discussion and group activities.

A 1000 word narrative media article 15% (first draft due week 3); a 750 word travel article 15% (due end of semester); a one-page media release 10% (due end of semester); an 750 word opinion article 15% (first draft due in week 8); a 700 word book review 15% (due end of semester); participation in workshops, plus three small group projects 30% (assessed continuously). Students must attend at least 80% of classes to be eligible for assessment.

A subject reader will be available from the Bookroom at the beginning of semester.

• C Lee, Power Prose. Hardie Grant Melbourne 2004.