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CLASS DETAILS * Your classroom is your newsroom. Tardiness is not tolerated. Always be on time. * Here's how your week will unfold:
* On Wednesday, while on the street, you will stay in contact with me as if I were your city editor. I will work from home where I have call-waiting, but will return to my office by 3 p.m. Stories are due at 6 p.m. Wednesday unless otherwise specified. Turn them into my office. Be sure to give yourself enough time to pull your story together. * Your homework or over-the-weekend stories are always due at 9 a.m. Monday unless otherwise specified. * All assignments must be completed and every deadline must be met. Late stories will not be edited. So always turn in something. If time runs out, give us your best shot. Only stories can be published, not excuses. * Your stories will be critiqued in detail by your instructors and, at times, by fellow class members. We call it the "CAT-scan." You will develop a keener sense of newsroom life and of writing for an audience. * From time to time, we will spot check stories for accuracy – names, facts, quotes. Accuracy is at the heart of credibility. * In seminars, we will share experiences and explore techniques, tactics, ideas, problems. Sometimes we'll have guest speakers. Your participation is essential. * This syllabus is our flexible road map. Read it. Use it to plan your work. We'll follow the schedule but, remember, everything is subject to change because of news developments, shifted assignments and other factors. * Check your E-mail daily. I send frequent messages. I also am working on a Web site and bulletin board for the class. Stay tuned for details. POLICE RIDES Students will have a chance to ride in a NYPD patrol car on its tour of duty. Stories cannot be published, but you will do an assignment for class. Official sign-up forms must be returned to me by end of class on Aug. 27 so rides can be scheduled promptly. FIELD TRIPS We will tour the Manhattan criminal courts. Details to come. GRADING It's pass/fail. From day one, your work will be measured against the professional standards of major media, with emphasis on accuracy, clarity, focus and flow. If at first you falter, don't despair. A prime goal is steady improvement toward consistent, skillful performance. How well you do in the final weeks is more important than how well you start. There will be no tests, but we'll have a regular quiz on significant news events and AP style (remember: read the papers). ABSENCES I expect you to attend all class sessions. Any absence requires notification and a valid explanation -- just like a real job. INTEGRITY Honesty is crucial. Anyone faking quotes, falsifying a story or plagiarizing will risk summary dismissal from the school. MIDTERM Sign up for periodic office appointments. However, I also will schedule a one-on-one evaluation at midterm. At that time, file all your written work chronologically in a folder. Bring it to our midterm meeting. FORMAT FOR STORIES (see attached sample): Double space all stories and follow the sample format. Remember to include a word count and your mailbox number and to list sources (including phone numbers). At the end of your story, always list three additional story ideas. Otherwise, your assignment is incomplete. LENGTH OF STORIES Length will vary with assignment. Clarity, focus and graceful expression are more important than bulk. Most stories will be 500 to 1,000 words. Major pieces will run from 1,500 to 2,500 words. REWRITING Stories should be polished and carefully edited before they are turned in. However, don't be surprised if you are asked to rewrite your story (with a new deadline). Be sure to attach the original story to the rewritten one. READINGS Assigned reading is linked to the upcoming week's theme. Be prepared to discuss key points in the Monday seminar. All handouts must be read. Unless otherwise specified, books on the recommended list are for reference use. They are worth reviewing. |