Subject details

After successfully completing this subject, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and critically evaluate the functions and conventions of journalistic reporting
  2. Demonstrate practical hard news writing skills
  3. Initiate, plan, research, and produce a feature article of publishable standard.

  • Topics

    • Critical and cultural perspectives on the function of the news media
    • News values and conventions of news stories
    • Writing style and the news story
    • Content and the news story
    • Structure and the news story
    • The characteristics of feature articles
    • Interviewing and the ethics of journalism
    • Radio news
    • Television news
    • Reporting on war
    • Alternative forms of journalism
    • Opportunities for publication

  • Study resources

    • Print Materials

      • Welcome letter

    • Online Materials

      • Printable format materials

Entry Requirements

Equivalent Subjects

You cannot enrol in this unit if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

  • SWI-LPW501

Special requirements

No special requirements

In this subject, you gain insights into how journalists define news and construct news stories; develop an understanding of how news stories and features are structured; explore the various genres of journalistic writing through practical exercises; and create a marketable piece of journalistic writing.

Please note: assessment values are indicative only, details will be advised at the start of the subject.

  • Online Discussion (30-40%)
  • Assignments (60-70%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.

View textbooks

Related Degrees

postgraduate OUA-PSU-GCE-2018

Postgraduate Single Subjects