Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Feature Writing
Course Code
KF_072
Branch of Science
Media and communications
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science; Information and Communication Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Anna Peipiņa
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
Course objective: 1) it is to improve the storytelling abilities of future journalistic professionals in the description genre; 2) to learn in depth the principles and approaches for the development of the description; 3) to cultivate language by creating content that interests and addresses the lecture theatre, not in the genre of fiction.
Preliminary Knowledge
Introduction to Journalism; Journalistic methods and genres; Stylistics and editing
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.-
Skills
1.After completing the course, the student will be able to apply writing and editing skills appropriate to the description genre.
2.Students will strengthen information collection and structuring skills, their connecting skills to storytelling elements.
Competences
1.Acquired and/or supplemented theoretical and practical knowledge of the genre of description, its specificity.
2.Strengthened knowledge and practical skills in the collection and processing of information.
3.Learning and/or developing listening and observation skills.
4.Acquired and/or developed language usage skills suitable for content creation in the description genre.
5.Developed and/or augmented content structuring skills to be applied during the description process.
6.Practical editing skills acquired.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
During the course, the student coaches - evaluates and analyses other authors and describes his or her written skills in the genre. In performing practical tasks, the student develops listening and observation skills that he or she learns to process and, in performing his or her own work, he or she learns to incorporate into the content he or she creates. In developing the work - description - of the course project, the student acquires (and strengthens) practical information collection, analysis, compilation skills, strengthens content structuring and storytelling skills and develops his or her language style. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Active participation in lectures |
10.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
2.
Participation in seminars |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
5% per workshop (30% in total) |
||
|
3.
Presentation of feature idea |
20.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
4.
Exam assignment - Feature article |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
What makes feature stories different: news versus stories
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Types of features
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Types of features
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Building observational and listening skills
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Building observational and listening skills
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Finding fresh ideas. Backgrounding and finding a niche
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Pitching the story
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Pitching the story
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Reporting process
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Organizing stories: leads and endings, managing the middle
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Outlining the story
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Outlining the story
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The roots of good writing: using language with style and precision
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The roots of good writing: using language with style and precision
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The writer’s voice: how to make your voice your brand
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
30 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Swaine, M., Gilbert, H., Allen, G. (2021). Writing for Journalists. 4th ed. New York: Routledge.
2.
Pape, S., Featherstone, S. (2006). Feature Writing: A Practical Introduction. SAGE Publications Ltd. (jaunāks izdevums nav iznācis)
Additional Reading
1.
Blundell, E. W. (1988). The Art and Craft of Feature Writing: Based on The Wall Street Journal Guide. Plume