Fridays, 10 - 11:50 a.m., AHF C
http://www.hopstudios.com/nep/J204FA03/
Travis Smith
(323) 965-4453 at Variety
(626) 794-9998 at home
nep@hopstudios.com
/ tfsmith@reedbusiness.com
AIM: nepsmith ; Yahoo: nep
Office hours: Friday, 9-10 a.m.in Annenberg 207 (Faculty lounge)
This class is designed to teach the discipline of writing news for online publication. While many rules of new media are still being written, you will leave this class with an understanding of the current (ever-changing) state of online writing. You will also have put into practice what you have learned, and I hope that you will form your own opinion about the future on online newswriting.
Newswriting classes form the backbone of journalism; if you cannot write a simple obituary, you cannot express an analysis of the state of conflict in the Middle East. In keeping with professional standards, your work must be completed with accuracy and attention to detail. In the professional world, errors end careers and sink publications.
This course works hand in hand with courses in writing for print publications and broadcast outlets, and is meant to reinforce those principles while showing how to apply them to new media.
If you miss more than three classes without prior approval, you will fail the class. This is a journalism school policy. If your absence is unexcused, you will also fail any quiz or in-class assignment given during that class, so let me know in advance if you won't be attending, it's polite and good sense. It is recommended you come to class on time; not only is it courteous, but quizzes are also given when class begins. However, I would rather have you present for some of the class than none of the class.
I recommend "Today's Papers" found on the Slate Web site as a good email summary each morning of the day's news. We will be covering the writing of news emails during the second half of the semester.
During the grammar portion of the semester, we will have a grammar quiz at the beginning of every class. Grades from the quizzes will account for 10 percent of your final grade (see below).
In some classes, you will be required to complete in-class assignments on deadline.
Expect to receive homework every week, in the form of readings and writing assignments.
Ironically, most completed assignments must be provided on a printed page unless otherwise noted.
No late assignments will be accepted. Failing to turn in an assignment will result in an F.
Any writing assignment may be rewritten. Rewrites must be submitted within 72 hours of the time I return the originals. I will take the average of the two scores.
What Jean Adelman says in her syllabus goes for this class as well:
Do not wait until the start of class to print out your assignments; they will be marked late. Always keep a hard copy for yourself. Claims that 'the computer lost it' or 'the computer crashed' are unacceptable. Journalists deal with those problems every day. It will be part of your job to figure out ways around your technological problems.
Go to the lab and use a computer there if you have to. If you absolutely can't get the computer to work, write your story in longhand and turn it in on paper. Whatever you do, don't turn it in late. Broken computers and downed e-mail servers are not emergencies and are not good reasons for missing deadlines.
Assignments will be worth 25 points. Your work will be evaluated on the basis of good news judgment (proper selection and ordering) and on the quality of your writing (clarity, conciseness, choice of words, completeness, accuracy and objectivity). These elements will be considered the content part of your grade. There may, from time to time, be opportunities for extra credit on an assignment.
You will also be expected to produce work free of mechanical errors in the areas of stylebook rules, spelling, typographical errors, punctuation and grammar. These elements will be considered the mechanical part of your grade.
Points will be deducted from your grade for each occurrence of an error, according to this list:
MechanicalStylebook rules error -- 1 Spelling mistake -- 1 Improper punctuation -- 1 Grammar slip-up -- 1 |
ContentFact error -- 5-25 points, depending on substance of error Lead or headline that misses the point -- 5 Other organizational faults -- 1 (Wordiness, awkward structure) Unnecessary use of passive voice -- 1 Lack of clarity -- 1 Omission of essential facts-1 Poor choice of words -- 1 Missing attribution -- 1 Failure to complete assignment -- 25 Misspelled name -- 25 (automatic F) |
Here's how these points will translate into traditional grades:
| A (4.0) = 24-25 A- (3.7) = 23 B+ (3.3) = 22 B (3.0) = 20-21 |
B- (2.7) = 19 C+ (2.3) = 18 C (2.0) = 16-17 C- (1.7) = 15 |
D+ (1.3) = 14 D (1.0) = 12-13 D- (0.7) = 11 F (0) = 10 or lower |
You are required to become a staff member of one of the following campus media organizations:
The responsibilities and the time required per week will vary based on the media organization's needs. Media organizations will make every effort to accommodate students' preferences and schedules. It is not the media organization's responsibility to give you work or check up on you, and it is not my responsibility to chase you to show your work. The responsibility is yours.
On the other hand, if you need assistance with any assignment or situation with campus media, you are encouraged to contact me.
You may substitute an internship at a media outlet if you clear this with me. This should not be a clerical or other non-journalistic internship.
Your semester's marks will be given the following proportions to determine
your grade:
| Quizzes | 10 percent |
| Learning lab | 10 percent |
| Attendance | 10 percent |
| Assignments | 25 percent |
| Midterm | 15 percent |
| Final | 30 percent |
| TOTAL | 100 percent |
Since its founding, the USC Annenberg School of Journalism has maintained a commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct and academic excellence.
Any student found guilty of plagiarism, fabrication, cheating on examinations or purchasing papers or other assignments will immediately receive a failing grade in the course and will be dismissed as a major from the School of Journalism.
There are no exceptions to this policy.
Writing coaches are available in ASC 227 during posted drop-in times and by
appointment.
Ed Boyer, Print: ej39@aol.com
Bob Berger, Print: rberger@usc.edu
Mike Daniels, Broadcast: mdaniels@lmu.edu
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301. The phone number is 213-740-0776.
Travis F. Smith, editor of Variety.com, has worked in the field of online journalism since 1994, beginning with the launch of the first Los Angeles Times Web site. He's worked in Los Angeles, Paris and Budapest, for media companies as a reporter, an editor and a businessman. He consults on Web design and implementation, and also lectures at the University of Southern California about online journalism.
Introduction to the course: What is online journalism?
Give diagnostic grammar test.
Lesson: The role of verbs.
Homework assignments:
Send me an email. Include your instant messenger name, if you have one.Textbook and Web readings:
When Words Collide: Chapters 1, 2 and 3.Lesson: Parts of speech
Grammar quiz on verbs.
Homework assignments:
None.
Textbook and Web readings:
When Words Collide: Chapters 4 and 5.Lesson: Parts of sentences.
Grammar quiz on parts of speech.
Introduction to Blogger
Homework assignments:
An entry in your blog.Textbook and Web readings:
When Words Collide: Chapter 6. Lesson: Agreement.
Grammar quiz on parts of sentences.
Homework assignments:
An entry in your blog.Textbook and Web readings:
When Words Collide: Chapter 9. Discussion: Punctuation.
Grammar quiz on parts of sentences.
Homework assignments:
An entry in your blog.Textbook and Web readings:
Review When Words Collide: chapters 1-9.Grammar midterm.
Homework assignments:
An entry in your blog.Textbook and Web readings:
None. Discussion of effective online searching.
What is a legitimate source?
Components of online packages. How is online storytelling different from print
or broadcast storytelling?
Homework assignments:
Take a major breaking story and make a storyboard for a topical Web site. Write the lead paragraphs for a main story and at least one sidebar, and describe the elements that the package would contain.
What is the purpose of digest news? What does it look like, and how do you
write it?
What makes a good Web headline?
In-class or homework assignment:
Take a breaking story or major issue of the week and produce an e-mail digest of stories about that issue.
Continuing discussion of e-mail and Web digests.
In-class or homework assignment:
To sync with the lesson on obits, do a digest drawing on stories about a recently deceased famous person.
Updating stories from speech transcripts
(Example transcripts: William Bratton, Gray Davis inaugural address)
Wearing a costume to class is a fine idea.
Homework assignment:
Updating California budget story with comments from
California state Senate Republican Caucus.
Updating breaking news stories
In-class or homework assignments:
Bel Air Woman Arrested in Police Chase
LAPD officer arrested
More practice on updates.
In-class or homework assignments:
Student Arrested in Arson Killing
Plane crash
Prepare for final.
Final exam.