Textbook
The textbook required for this course is Writing and Reporting News, by Carole Rich. It should be available at both the campus bookstore and Passport Books, located across Mitchell Avenue from the campus.
 

Purpose
Introduction to basic journalistic style and story structure for print media, with an emphasis on writing the lead and body of short to medium length straight news stories as well as covering campus news beats. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG 100 or satisfactory score on the department's Writing Placement Examination. (See class schedule for test administration dates.)
 

Goals
Upon satisfactory completion of this course you should be able to:
(1) Recognize the characteristics of news
(2) Gather appropriate information to support both hard and soft news stories
(3) Construct interesting and effective leads that fit the nature of the story
(4) Develop bodies of news stories that provide information that enables readers to understand
 

Means
To reach these goals, you are expected to:
(1) Read assigned chapters in the textbook and in occasional handouts
(2) Practice interviewing, research, and other gathering skills
(3) Write rough drafts of stories for review and critique by peers and professor
(4) Write final drafts of stories that are polished and as complete and effective as possible
 

Assignments
You will complete rough and final drafts of six news stories - beat reports gathered from campus offices and key personnel assigned to students early in the term. Rough drafts will be evaluated "credit/25-point penalty," while final drafts will be worth 100 points and evaluated using holistic scoring of the following criteria: 1) lead, 2) content, 3) structure, 4) quotations 5) conventions and style.
In addition, you will complete other minor assignments that will be evaluated on the basis of "credit/25-point penalty."
 
 

Class Participation
You are expected to be fully prepared to discuss each chapter in class. This will require a thorough reading of the chapters and a willingness to offer your perspectives. In addition, you will work in peer teams to review each other's drafts.
 

Attendance
Very simply, you are expected to be in class each day we meet. During summer, each class day is equivalent to a full week of regular semesters. Absences invariably will be reflected in the quality of your assignments. Also, late assignments are not accepted without an excuse I consider valid.
 

Grades
The letter grade equivalents are:
A 90-100% 540-600 points D 60-69% 360-419 points
B 80- 89% 480-539 points F Below 60% Below 360 points
C 70- 79% 420-479 points
 

Office Hours/Phones/E-mail
Office hours are immediately preceding and following the class and by appointment. My office number is Eder 222E.
Office Phone: 271-4323, Home Phone: 387-8213. Leave messages if I am not available to answer the phone; that's why I've got the answering machines.
E-mail: My e-mail address is <klr9015@griffon.mwsc.edu>. You are welcome to write me about questions or concerns you may have about the course. My Web site is located at <http://www.missouriwestern.edu/~klr9015/rosenauer_main.html>.
 

Academic Honesty
You are expected to do your own work for this course. All forms of cheating, including submitting someone else's written work, will earn a zero for the assignment grade. Serious infractions may be turned over to the dean of students for disciplinary action.
 

Disabilities
If you are disabled, whether the disability is apparent or not, and concerned that your disability may interfere with your completion of course requirements above, please notify me during the first two days of classes so that we might discuss appropriate alternatives.