JOURN 103 Introduction to Feature Writing (1 to 5 credits)
Distribution Area Fulfilled Humanities; General Transfer Elective
Prerequisite Instructor permission and JOURN 102 with 2.0 or better.
Course Description
A study and practice of the form and style of writing feature stories for the college newspaper. Students will serve as staff writers for The Pioneer and generate and/or receive feature story assignments for publication. This course is a sequel to JOURN 102, Intro to News Writing.
Course Content
a. Ethical concerns of feature writing, such as privacy, false light, endangerment, misquotes
b. The different forms of feature stories such as personalities, seasonal, news features, depth, trends
c. Conducting research for heavier features such as depth and news features
d. Application of feature writing skills such as leads, interviews, using quotes, paraphrase, and color
e. Feature structure, such as the central point, body (supporting topics and details), conclusion
Student Outcomes
1. Identify credibility and ethics as the overarching standards of journalism.
2. Recognize and eliminate personal bias, stereotypes and prejudice in feature writing.
3. Define the basic elements of privacy in feature writing, such as false light.
4. Explain which topics are worthy of feature writing and why.
5. Identify the student newspaper’s market and generate story ideas for that market.
6. Develop a story plan, including angle, contacts and questions to ask.
7. Conduct interviews in a professional and effective manner.
8. Create leads other than the summary lead that are more appropriate for the subject and tone of the story.
9. Develop a feature story that utilizes a variety of quotes and paraphrases.
10. Apply “color” to each story through the use of quotes, metaphors, similes, and sensory detail.
11. Recognize and apply appropriate style, structure, and language in feature writing.
Degree Outcomes
Humanities: Graduates acquire critical skills to interpret, analyze, and evaluate forms of human expression, which can include creation and performance as an expression of human experience.
Lecture Contact Hours 10-50
Lab Contact Hours 0
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 10-50
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