English 350-01: Magazine Writing

Spring, 1998
Instructor: Kim Pearson
104 Bray Hall
x 2692
fax: (609)637-5112
e-mail: kpearson@tcnj.edu
Class Hours: Wednesday -- 9:30 -- 12:20
133 Bray Hall, 120 Bray Hall
Office Hours : R 2:00 and 5:00

Overview

This course will help you understand the art and business and craft of magazine writing. Our primary effort will be to write and report stories for issues 4 and 5 of UNBOUND, our electronic magazine for the World Wide Web. You will also have the opportunity to pitch and submit articles to off-campus print magazines. Through this effort, you will gain an appreciation for the way in which magazines are targetted to specific audiences, the relationship between publication design, advertising and editorial content, and the changing shape of the magazine industry.

We will also discuss the business of being a non-fiction writer. You will learn about the structure of the magazine industry, and the ways in which non-fiction writers build their careers. You will study the variety of reporting and writing styles that are the tools of contemporary non-fiction writers. You will learn to communicate with editors, agents and publishers. We will also touch upon taxes and other business issues which confront free-lance writers.

Grading

Grades will be based upon a combination of factors. Students will produce two 1,000 -word articles, and one 2,000 word articles. Each article will be the result of either an assignment or a successful query. The articles submitter to UNBOUND must ber appropriately structured for reading on the Web, with the requisite HTML tags. You must also supply copies of your notes, tapes and other supporting materials for fact-checking purposes. This will constitute 60 percent of your grade. Twenty percent will be based upon your adherence to the interim milestones for each article, as measured both by me and your assigning editors from the other section of this class. Ten percent of the grade will be for teamwork and professionalism. Teamwork refers to your willingness to assist the class in creating the magazine, and to offer constructive feedback to me and your classmates. Professionalism refers to the extent to which you come to class prepared, do your homework, meet deadlines, communicate with me and your classmates and present your work in a professional manner. The final ten percent will be based upon your participation in the class e-mail discussion list.

Grading criteria for written work

A Logic and facts are in order. Writing is clear and effective. No substantial spelling, grammar or mechanical errors. Presentations delivered in the appropriate style and format, within the established time frame.

B Logic and facts are in order. The writing is clear and competent. Errors are minimal.

C The writing is thoughtful and produced with care. Some errors.

D An effort has been made to meet the requirements of the assignment, but substantial work is needed.

F The requirements have not been addressed.

0 The work has not been handed in, and no extension has been granted.

A word to the wise -- The following practices are sure to sabotage your grade: skipping class or skipping assignments, failing to communicate with me early and often about problems that you have with any aspect of the class, and failing to take heed of written or oral feedback that I give you. I am willing to look at drafts of assignments before they are due.

Texts

UNBOUND Operations Manual. For sale in class.

Yale WWW Style Guide

The AP Stylebook and Libel Manual

All other texts will be on the web, on reserve, or handed out in class.

Class schedule and assigned readings

1/21 -- Introduction to UNBOUND, The Web. The changing world of magazine journalism. The differences between newspaper and magazine feature writing. Magazine audience analysis. UNBOUND story assignment list. Query letters.
Assignments for 1/28: Query letter for first story. E-mail address.

1/28 -- In-class critique of query letters. Research and interviewing. 1:00 -- Critical Race Feminism videoteleconference, KH133
Assignments for 2/ 4: Interview list and questions e-mailed to me before class.

Also
Audience analysis assignment :

Story stuctures. Be prepared to discuss the differences between the following magazines. What inferences can you draw about their readership, their editorial mission, their accessibility to freelancers, and the kinds of stories they are likely to run? For three of the publications, compare the print and online editions.

Assignment for 2/11 Progess reports on first story.

2/11 -- First story updates. First drafts to be e-mailed to me and appropriate editors by 2/16. Rewrite deadlines will be worked out between you, me and editors.

Check UNBOUND production schedule for Issue 4

2/18 -- In-class critique of first stories. Story structure. Read and analyze Epstein, "The Grand Eccentric of the Concert Hall."

A Modest Proposal

2/25 -- Narrative devices in non-fiction writing: narration, description, exposition. Read , "Talese: Mr. Bad News,"

3/4 -- Literary devices in non-fiction writing: Epstein, "Children of the Holocaust." Queries due for story two.

Humor and wit. Quotations from Hell."

3/11 -- Editorial review. Outline and interview list due for new stories. First drafts of second stories due March 23

BREAK

3/25 -- In-class critique of second stories. Reporting on politics and business.

4/1 -- Editorial meeting. Medical and science reporting.

4/8 -- Money matters: Books, agents, TV. Editorial meeting. Query to outside publication

4/15 -- Cultural reporting. Questions and interview lists for story 3.

4/22-- Progress reports

4/29 --First Drafts of third stories due April 27. In class critique of third stories.

5/6 Wrap up.