Bill Di Nome

Our focus is on writing nonfiction prose intended for magazines (consumer and trade), newspapers, journals, and newsletters. We will stress thematic development, story structure, literary style, marketing, and journalistic integrity. Our approach is hands-on: you will produce three full-length stories (newsletter piece, profile, thematic feature), targeted to real markets. The newsletter article is intended for publication in the English Department’s annual newsletter, Tidelines. We will also produce several reports designed to help us to understand the magazine industry and various technical exercises. Additional work includes technical exercises, reports designed to help us to understand the magazine industry, and quizzes. Discussions of prize-winning articles and articles produced in class are a key component of the course. You are strongly encouraged to submit your articles for publication.

Objectives

To develop the basic skills of magazine journalism and produce a variety of stories worthy of publication;
To learn practical skills in marketing work to targeted audiences;
To become familiar with the rules and conventions of Associated Press style;
To become familiar with state and federal libel law and journalistic ethics.

“The news writer tells you the bridge fell in and how many cars fell off.

The feature writer tells you what it was like to have been there.”

~ Jules Loh, AP feature writer

Course Requirements

Required Texts & Resources

Feature Writing for Newspapers and Magazines: The Pursuit of Excellence — Friedlander and Lee, 5th ed.
Associated Press Stylebook — Goldstein, current ed. (“AP”)
Handouts provided by instructor

Regular attendance, active participation and punctuality are expected. You will be permitted two absences without penalty. Each absence thereafter will negatively affect final grade (see Grading, below). Six or more absences, for any reason, will result in a failing grade. Regular attendance is a minimum expectation for tuition-paying, mature adults in pursuit of a worthwhile goal.

Written assignments. All stories must be new (neither reworked from other classes nor previously published). Reporting for stories must be authoritative and original, based on interviews you conduct yourself with relevant experts. (For detailed descriptions click here.)

Three Story Assignments:

(S1) 400- to 1,000-word newsletter article preceded by two drafts

(S2) 1,000- to 2,000-word profile plus supporting components

(S3) 2,500+ word thematic feature plus supporting components and one preliminary draft

Six Exercises:

(E1) Newsletter article analysis

(E2) Interview exercise

(E3) Lead exercise

(E4) Profile analysis

(E5) Query letter

(E6) Feature analysis

Workshop Responses—numerous (see Participation, below)

Two Reports

(R1) Magazine report

(R2) Author bio and “personal beat”

Four Quizzes

Three quizzes on AP Style

One libel & copyright quiz

Workshop drafts. Your newsletter article (S1) will be workshopped twice, once for development, once for copy-editing. You will receive credit for completing the preliminary draft on time and for copyediting another student’s article. (See “Story & Report Assignments” for details). Please make careful note of the requirements and due dates for S1 drafts and workshops.

Workshop responses. Responding judiciously to other people’s writing helps you develop your own aesthetic. So at each workshop, you are required to provide a written critique of the articles under discussion (expect three per workshop).

Two copies of each response are required—one for the author, one for the instructor—on the night of the scheduled workshop. You will receive credit for each response submitted in duplicate, on deadline. The total number of written responses submitted will influence your participation grade (see “Grade Weights” below).

Responses should present your estimation of the strengths and weaknesses of each article, plus any suggestions you’d like to make. Address the writer directly. Tie your comments to the text. Provide the kind of useful responses that you would like to receive yourself, but please, no cheerleading.

Quizzes. Four timed quizzes will be given, each worth five points: Three open-book quizzes on AP style derive from a list of commonly used terms (available here). One short-answer quiz on libel and copyright will be drawn from our textbook and the AP Stylebook's "Briefing on Media Law." The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Conference. You are required to have at least one brief conference with me no later than Friday, Oct. 20, either by telephone or in person. Please schedule in advance. Discussing the course capstone, the thematic feature (S3), is especially important.

Computer competence is necessary to this course as well as to a successful writing career: handling e-mail attachments, saving files in various formats, properly identifying files, etc.

Access to UNCW e-mail. E-mail is our official mode of communication and assignment submission, so check your campus e-mail frequently. I will use only your campus e-mail address via Seaport. If you run into difficulties with your campus e-mail account, it is your responsibility to contact the Help Desk to resolve the problem, or to submit assignments in hard copy on deadline. Remember: Managing your files effectively is your own responsibility.

Regular reading is foundational. Do not fall behind. You are expected to be conversant in all readings regardless of whether we address them explicitly in class.

Regular attendance is mandatory. You are permitted two absences without penalty. Refer to the Grading policy for more information.

“Style can't carry a story if you haven't done the reporting.”

~ Tom Wolfe

Ethics

The importance of preserving journalistic integrity and credibility cannot be overstated, especially today, when abuses seem rampant. No less than our democracy depends on the credibility of a free press. As our first principle, then, plagiarism, academic dishonesty, and any fabrication of fact, quotation, chronology, or intention cannot be tolerated. You are expected to be familiar with UNCW's academic honor policy (download the UNCW Code of Student Life here). Violations of this honor code will result in an F for the course and university judicial action as well.

The two most serious types of academic dishonesty are plagiarism and fabrication.

What is plagiarism?

Presenting someone else's work as your own, without proper acknowledgement.
Using some else's opinions, word arrangement or sequence of ideas without proper acknowledgement.
A violation not only of universal honor codes but potentially of U.S. copyright law as well.

What is fabrication?

Making up quotes or information from a real source.
Making up quotes or information from an imaginary source.
Making up information and not citing a source at all.
Attributing real quotes or information to a source other than the actual source.

Everyone is expected to do honest, original work at all times.

Deadlines

Assignments are due when specified to be eligible for full credit. Except for the final assignment, late assignments will be accepted up to two weeks after the due date, but the highest score possible will be a B. (Your actual grade may be lower.) The final story assignment, if submitted late, will receive no credit. Take careful note of the final deadline's date & time. When in doubt, make no assumptions. Speak with your instructor in advance. Deadlines are not negotiable.

“An ounce of example is worth a ton of generalities.”

~ Henry James

Classroom Policies

Classes will begin and end on time; please be punctual. Also, please be mindful of not clamoring to pack your belongings before our scheduled closing time and not checking e-mail or surfing the Internet during class. No food or beverage other than water is permitted in computer classrooms. Please turn off your cell phone before class.

Special Needs

Students with disabilities who need accommodation to complete the course requirements should notify me in writing as soon as possible. Please include a copy of your accommodation letter, available by registering with the Office of Disability Services (ext. 7555).

Grading & Grade Weights

Graded assignments & Quizzes: Here are the point-values of your graded assignments and quizzes:

	(S1a) Newsletter article, workshop draft	5
	(S1b) Newsletter article, copy edit	5
	(S1c) Newsletter article, final	15
	(S2a) Profile draft	10
	(S2b) Profile final	15
	(S4a) Thematic feature, nut section	5
	(S4b) Thematic feature, final	25
	Exercises (7 @ 5 pts each)	35
	Report 1	10
	Report 2	5
	Quizzes (3 @ 5 pts each)	15
	Mid-semester conference	5
	Total	150 pts

Participation

Your participation will be measured by the number of written workshop responses you provide on time. Responses sent both to writers and instructor on deadline receive full credit. Half credit is lost for missing deadline or for sending a response to only one recipient. Late responses receive no credit. You should maintain a dated record of all the responses you submit. An optional form is provided here.

16 to 19 responses: "+" added to final grade (e.g., B+ becomes A)

12 to 15 responses: No influence on final grade

9 to 11 responses: "–" deducted from final grade (e.g., B– becomes C+)

8 or fewer responses: Final grade reduced by a whole letter (e.g., C+ becomes D+)

(Note: The required number of responses may change depending on class enrollment.)

Attendance

You are permitted two absences without penalty. Each recorded absence beyond two will reduce grade earnings by 3 points. More than five recorded absences, for any reason, will result in automatic failure for the course.

Grading Scale

Grading utilizes a plus/minus scale. Calculations will be rounded to the nearest percentage point.

A	94 – 100 % Superlative	D+	68 – 70 %
A-	91 – 93	D	64 – 67 Unsatisfactory
		D-	61 – 63
B+	88 – 90 %
B	84 – 87 Outstanding	F	< 61 % Unacceptable
B-	81 – 83

C+	78 – 80 %
C	74 – 77 Satisfactory
C-	71 – 73

Writing Assignments

Submission Components for Stories

IMPORTANT: Story assignments S2 and S3 must include the following six components, edited into a single document when possible. Story assignment S1 must be accompanied only by a sources list. Failure to meet the minimum criteria for length or quoted sources indicated in the detailed descriptions below, or to supply all the submission components, renders a story unsatisfactory—equivalent to a grade of D. This may put an assignment in danger of failing, should additional shortcomings exist.

Also note the value of each component relative to the whole assignment.

1. The story itself (40%). In addition to being written to the correct style and voice for the chosen publication, the story also should meet the relevant requirements stated in the publication’s guidelines. If a magazine does not accept feature articles longer than 1,500 words, do not pitch an 1800-word story.

2. Your query letter (20%), written to the correct style for the chosen publication and addressed to a real editor. Only choose publications for which your stories are of suitable length, subject and style.

3. A brief, specific explanation (10%) of why you chose the publication queried. Example: “Grit is 90% freelance written, open to new writers, geared to the same audience my article addresses rural Baby Boomers, runs two features monthly, and pays 25¢ per word for features. I have been reading the magazine for years and understand its editorial stance. The magazine has not published a similar article since....”

4. A copy of the publication's writer's guidelines (10%). I'll accept Writer's Market listings only as a last resort if the publication does not publish guidelines and you've discussed it with me in advance. Writers' guidelines are frequently available by request or online. If a publication does not offer guidelines, it is up to you examine several issues of the magazine and to derive guidelines based on your own examination of their practices.

5. A sources list (10%) showing the names of people you interviewed, including their phone numbers or e-mail addresses in case I have questions.

6. Checklist (10%). Use the form provided here to assess the quality of your work and to check that you have met all the assignment's requirements.

Note. When submitting assignments electronically, the preferred file format is RTF (rich-text format). A Microsoft Word document is acceptable. Do not send WordPerfect or MS Works documents unless saved in RTF.

Identifying Assignments: When submitting assignments electronically, please identify the file by your last name. Appending the abbreviation for the assignment also helps. For example: SmithS1; SerranoS3.doc; BambergE5.rtf.

File Management: Always, always back up your files by copying them to an external medium or remote server. (Backup tips here.) If you have problems with your computer or e-mail account, notify your instructor immediately. Failure to submit work on time due to computer problems is inexcusable. You are solely responsible for managing your materials.

Accuracy and Appearance are taken into account for grading. Obvious errors in names and facts, egregious lapses in spelling or grammar, and violations AP style will have a negative effect. Use the AP Stylebook habitually. The physical appearance of submissions matters, so take pains to create attractive, professional typescripts and query letters.

Typescripts for all assignments should use the following format:

page 1: Your name, abbreviation for assignment, date submitted, word count of story
double line-spacing throughout; no extra return between paragraphs
1” margins all around
page number and your last name in upper right-hand corner
pages stapled together (no folders)

Sources: The number of sources you use for a story is directly proportional to the story's length. Minimum standards appear in the assignment descriptions below. You should always be skeptical about what sources tell you and corroborate the veracity. Use quotations and paraphrases liberally. Your notes and your tape recordings (taping interviews is recommended) must be available for me to review on demand. Maintain your files.

Assignment Descriptions (in chronological order)

E1 Newsletter article analysis | Due 9/07 (5 pts)

Examine the assigned article carefully. Write an analysis of the piece (outline form is OK) that includes the following elements:

• One-sentence summation of the article’s central theme

• Structural outline of the story’s major sections with a brief notation of the rhetorical strategies used in each section—e.g., process, narration (scene-setting), cause & effect, comparison & contrast, description, problem-solution, classification & division, etc.

• Brief analysis of the lead, major transitions, and conclusion

You may also wish to consider addressing the article’s subtext, conflict(s), plot, character, and any interesting figurative language. Make note of any passages that stray from, or are especially well tied to, the central theme.

E2 Interview exercise | Due 9/14 (5 pts)

On 8/30, you will pair off with a classmate and interview each other along the lines of this theme: “When the Going Got Tough: One Person’s Struggle with _____.” Each of you will fill in the blank by deciding for yourself what personal struggle to share with the class. Swap the names and phone numbers of possible sources (friends, relatives, coworkers) and begin a series of interviews to put together a brief profile of your partner. Before your final draft, do a follow-up interview with your classmate to contextualize what your other sources have told you. Use a scene-setting descriptive lead for the story. (This need not be a finished story.)

S1 Newsletter article | Due in stages

400 – 1,000 words (c. 2–4 pp)
3 sources, including your primary (provide sources list)
Story assignments and workshop dates will be posted here.

Acting as a copywriting team, we will create the English Department’s promotional newsletter, Tidelines. You each will be assigned a story, you will prepare a report on your preliminary findings in a classwide budget conference, and drafts will be workshopped twice in class. Much as a “work for hire” in a professional setting, your article will be edited by your instructor and by department faculty. All stories of sufficient quality* will see publication in the spring, including your by-line. This project focuses largely on audience, purpose, factual accuracy, integration of sources, and rhythm. Keep the language plain, the pace lively. The only supporting component required for this assignment is the sources list.

* Final selection of stories for publication will be made after the conclusion of the semester by the department, not by your instructor. Whether your piece is chosen for publication has no bearing on your grade.

A Word of Caution: This article will be workshopped in class over a period of weeks. The workshop schedule will undoubtedly pose time-management problems for those at the beginning and those at the end of the workshop cycle. Therefore, workshop dates will be assigned randomly. Be mindful of your workshop date and plan ahead.

S1 Newsletter story proposals | Due 9/19

A number of newsletter stories may be presented by the department, but more will be needed. This is your opportunity to pitch original story ideas.

E3 Lead exercise | Due 9/26 (5 pts)

Using the excerpt provided, rewrite the lead three different ways (TBA). Part of the challenge is determining where your new version will segue with the original. Length may vary widely.

S1 Preliminary report | Due 9/26

Emulating a publication’s editorial-budget meeting, this class will require an oral presentation of your preliminary findings on the story you have been assigned. Come prepared to ask and to respond to questions. If you anticipate obtaining photographs to accompany your article, feel free to bring along.

E4 Profile analysis | Due 10/12 (5 pts)

Analyze the assigned article in much the same way as for the article in E1.

S1a Newsletter workshop drafts & responses | Workshops commence 10/17

Workshop dates will be drawn randomly. Writers must send an electronic copy of their complete drafts and source lists to the instructor one week prior to their scheduled workshop dates (TBD). The instructor will distribute the articles to the class by e-mail. Be certain to include your e-mail address in the typescript. A second draft will be copy edited in class.

Reviewers must send written responses to each writer and to the instructor by the end of the appointed workshop day. You will receive credit for each response submitted, in duplicate, on deadline. Responses sent late or to only one person receive reduced credit. The total number of written responses submitted will influence your participation grade (see “Grade Weights”).

Responses should present your estimation of the strengths of, and your concerns about, each article. Address each writer directly. Be specific, tying your comments to the text. Provide the kind of detailed, useful responses that you would like to receive yourself — but no cheerleading!

S1b Newsletter, copyedit draft | Due 11/07 (5 pts)

Provide the instructor one hard copy of your revised newsletter article (earns 5 points). A copy-editing workshop will be held the following class (10/27), at which you will edit a peer’s article.

E5 Query for profile | Due 11/09 (5 pts)

Draft a one-page query letter for your profile article (S2). Address it to an actual editor at a real magazine. Keep it concise and lively. You will have the opportunity to revise it before resubmitting it with the article itself.

S2 Profile | Due 11/16 (15 pts)

1,000 – 2,000 words (c. 5 – 6 pp)
4 cited sources, minimum (including the primary)
Submission components

Write a profile of someone your readers would like to know. Do plenty of interviews (five to 10), and bring colorful anecdotes and voices to life. (I will gladly provide initial feedback if you send me a description of your subject, theme and nut graf at least a week prior to your due-date.) You have the option of submitting a revision of the profile no later than December 1st. However, merely submitting a revision does not guarantee an improved grade.

E6 Feature analysis | Due 11/21 (5 pts)

Analyze the assigned article in much the same way as for the article in E1.

S3a Nut draft | Due 11/21 (5 pts)

Draft a preliminary nut section for your final assignment (S3), articulating the theme, or point, of the article. This draft is intended to provide feedback and assistance you in focusing your effort.

S1c Newsletter article, final draft | Due 11/28 (10 pts)

No article will be accepted if received after deadline and no credit earned.

R1 Magazine report | Due 11/30 (10 pts)

Choose a magazine you admire (not too big, perhaps a regional or city magazine). Get to know its content and your possible job prospects there. Begin by calling the editorial department and talking to an editor or editorial assistant to see what opportunities exist on the editorial side of the house. Ask her to switch you to advertising side of the house so you can inquire about job prospects there. Ask for a media kit (they may not provide it), or see if it’s available online. Using this information, write a report addressing these six points:

The magazine’s editorial mission and cover strategy as articulated by them or evaluated by you. In other words, what is the magazine trying to do, and how does their cover design help to achieve it?

Circulation (paid vs. free, if you can find out), including newsstand sales

Five demographic or psychographic characteristics of typical readers

Five types of feature articles the magazine runs (or has recently run) and the number of feature articles published per issue

Three to five types of entry-level positions for which a college graduate like yourself may be eligible.

Finally, check online (Advertising Age, Standard Rate and Data, Bacon’s Folio, the Magazine Publishers of America Web site) or in local media to see if your magazine has been in the news lately and, if so, why.

R2 Author bio & “personal beat” | Due 12/05 (5 pts)

Write a stylish one-paragraph bio of yourself (in the third person), listing any publication credits or other information that demonstrates your capability or talent as a researcher and writer. In lieu of pub credits, use any relevant work experience, internships, or classes taken.

Design your own beats, listing topics, concepts, areas of interest that pique your imagination, ideas you can inhale an thrive on (not specific story ideas). Think broadly, with unnerving creativity. Think of this as a mission statement, a lens through which to focus your energy and brand your work.

S3b Thematic feature | Due 12/12 (20 pts)

2,500+ words
6 cited sources, minimum
Submission components

The course capstone. Begun at the start of the course and worked on throughout the semester, this article should be an in-depth, serious, highly polished piece elaborating a theme. This feature is to be based on strong, authoritative and original reporting, and integrate numerous interviews. This article should be pitched to a market that accepts work of the required length.

Fall 2006 Class Schedule (Dates and assignments subject to change)

Week	Date	Writing Due	Reading Due	Topics
1	8/24	—	—	Introduction
2	8/29		FW ch. 1; Tidelines 2005: "Bob Byington: 1928-2004," "Journalism Minor Comes to UNCW," "Traveling Literature," "Students for Literacy," "More to the Writing Place Than Meets they Eyes."	Newsletter story structures
	8/31	Ernesto!		News features & magazine stories
3	9/05		FW ch. 2, 5	Interviewing I (pair off)
	9/07	E1: Newsletter analysis	FW ch. 3	AP Quiz 1; Interviewing II
4	9/12		FW ch. 4	AP Quiz 2; Newsletter Orientation
	9/14	E2: Interview ex.		Research
5	9/19	Newsletter Proposals	FW ch. 6	Leads, Newsletter assignments
	9/21	No Class	Newsletter research
6	9/26	E3: Lead ex.; Newsletter reports		Newsletter budget
	9/28	No Class	FW ch. 7; Newsletter research
7	10/03			Profiles
	10/05	*Revised Schedule!*	"Fisherman," "Wild Life"
8	10/10	Fall Break—No Class
	10/12	E4: Profile Analysis	Download Workshop Schedule	AP Quiz 3
9	10/17	S1a: Newsletter article draft & responses	FW ch. 9	S1 Workshop
	10/19	S1a: Newsletter article draft & responses; Conference deadline Oct 20		S1 Workshop
10	10/24	S1a: Newsletter article draft & responses		S1 Workshop
	10/26	S1a: Newsletter article draft & responses		S1 Workshop
11	10/31	S1a: Newsletter article draft & responses	FW ch. 8	S1 Workshop; Copyediting
	11/02			Queries
12	11/07	S1b: Newsletter copyedit draft		S1 Copyedit workshop
	11/09	E5: Query for profile (S2)
13	11/14		"Shabana Is Late for School"	Extended forms
	11/16	S2: Profile article		The market, marketing & rights
14	11/21	E6: Feature analysis; S3a: Nut draft		Personal Beat
	11/23	Thanksgiving—No Class
15	11/28	S1c: Newsletter final	AP Briefing on Media Law	Libel
	11/30	R1: Magazine Report	FW ch. 10	Libel Quiz
16	12/05	R2: Bio & Beat		Copyright, privacy
	12/12	S3b Feature due by 5:00 p.m.	Final Deadline

Updated 061031