English 350-01: Magazine Writing

Spring, 2000
Instructor: Kim Pearson
217 Bliss Hall
x 2692
fax: (609) 637-5112)
e-mail: kpearson@tcnj.edu
Class Hours: MR 2:00 -- 3:20
Bliss Hall -- Room 234
Office Hours : 3:30-5:00 Tuesday and Thursday

Overview

1. You will create a package of articles (totalling 4000 words) targeted to specific publications, accompanied by query letters,
2. These articles will be critiqued by your peers, and by me, in workshop sessions,
3. You will revise those articles and queries for submission to the specified publications, as well as for a grade. At least one article will be for UNBOUND, our online newsmagazine. The others will be for print or online magazines of your choosing.

1. Each of you will have some responsibility to assist in the editing and production of Issue 8 of UNBOUND. Some of you will have formal editorial and production positions, with some concommitant adjustments in your article-generating requirements. Every one will at some time be asked to fact-check articles. 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 about communicating 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 one 4000 -word "package". The elements of the package will be discussed more fully as the class progresses. All assignments must be submitted by e-mail or on disk.

   YOU MUST SUBMIT FACT CHECKING MATERIAL IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A GRADE!!!!!

   This will constitute thirty-five percent of your grade. The bi-weekly journal submissions will count as fifteen percent of the grade. Twenty 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. Note: some of the input for this portion of the grade will come from confidential peer evaluation forms which will be circulated mid-semester. Ten percent of your grade will be contingent on submitting you first draft on the due date. Ten percent will be based on scores on grades and quizzes. The final ten percent will be based upon your participation in the class 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.

   ---

   Requirements

   1 4000 word package.

   Initial proposal due February 3.

   Work for UNBOUND as assigned. Class members with substantial responsibilities for UNBOUND will have adjustments made in other assignments.

   Bi weekly journal submissions. Due first class of week.

   First Draft of package due April 13

   ---

   Texts:

   UNBOUND Operations Manual, spring 1999 edition. On sale, in class, for $5.00. Purchase first week of class.

   Online Journalism Review

   The AP Stylebook and Libel Manual

   NewsWatch Style Guide

   A Reference Guide for the Creation and Editing of Online Publications by Valerie Kellogg.

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

   ---

   Class schedule and assigned readings. (All written assignments are due for the next class, unless indicated. Also, the UNBOUND production schedule may require some schedule adjustments.

   Assignment 1
   1.
   • Select 3 magazines which you read and for which you might want to write. For each:
   • If print, select and describe typical front, middle, and back of book stories.
   • If online select 3 stories from 3 regular sections
     
   • If both print and online, are both sets of stories in both versions?
     *Note advertizing surrounding or closest to the stories you've selected.
   • Look up Magazine in Writer's Market, Advertising Age and Editor & Publisher for the past year. Also look at magazine's ads. Describe the magazine's audience, editorial focus, precent of freelance content? What facts/inferences can you draw about stories they might want and expectations they have of writers (writing style, experience type and level, fact checking, etc). What can you learn about them as potential employers?

   2. Do a self-inventory. How do your skills, strengths, weaknesses, potential experiences, and inclinations fit?

   3. What can you do in this class that might help you land an internship, freelance work or a staff job in with one of these magazines in the next year?

   4. Based on all of the foregoing, list 3 measurable learning goals for this class. Arrange a conference time with me to discuss them. Bring clips and a resume. You will do a self-assessment once a month.

   Due to me --in conference on or by January 27th.

   ---

   Assignment 2
   Interview a magazine writer-- freelance or full-time
   

   1. How do you generate story ideas?
   2. What are your reporting methods?
   3. Interviewing tips?
   4. What other kinds of writing do you do? How are they similar?
   5. Do you have any advice for beginning writers?

      Biggest mistakes?
      One thing they should know?

   This assignment is due in class on February 28.

   ---

   In-class:

   Note: After the first class, you should prepare to discuss the assigned reading on the day it is listed. "The Keyboard" exercise is due the following class.

   January 17
   Magazines vs newspapers --- UNBOUND
   Read Chapter 1: "Magazine Basics". Do "The Keyboard" exercise "Targeting the Audience" on page 20. Bring to class.

   January 20
   Staff assignments ??????????

   January 24
   Story researching magazines. Libel quiz
   Read Chapter 2: Topics and Ideas. Do "The Keyboard" exercise on page 38 "Compiling Story Ideas.

   January 27
   Conference assignment 1 Due

   January 31
   CHECK MESSAGE BOARD FOR ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT UNBOUND STAFF!!!! CLICK HERE
   Story Ideas and queries
   Read Chapter 3:"Theme". Do "The Keyboard" exercise on page 56 "Identifying Your Theme"

   February 3
   Research and interview query 1 due

   February 7
   Story elements and analysis. Which structure is the right one for your story
   Read Chapter 4: "Research". Do "The Keyboard" exercise on pages 81-2.

   February 10
   Manual, stylebook quiz

   February 14
   Story 1 due
   Read Chapter 5: "Titles". Do "The Keyboard" exercise on pages 101-2

   February 17
   Story analysis- Service piece --- expository techniques, definition.

   February 21
   Story analysis --Same story: print and online
   Read Chapter 6: "Time Elements". Do "The Keyboard" exercise on page 123-4.

   February 24
   

   February 28
   Assignment 2 due -- in-class presentations

   March 2
   Finish up presentations.
   Self-assessments due to me -- process analysis narrative description

   March 6
   Conferences-- discuss interview story
   Read Chapter 7: "Viewpoint and Voice." Do "The Keyboard" exercise on page 146.

   March 9
   Query on Story 2

   March 13 and 16
   Assignment 3 - research the job of a non-editorial person on a magazine that interests you. What does that person do? Present in class.

   March 20-24
   SPRING BREAK!!! Have FUN and stay SAFE.

   March 27
   Read Chapter 8: "Endings". Do "The Keyboard" exercise on page 161-2.

   March 30
   

   April 3
   Read Chapter 9: "The Writing Process". Do "The Keyboard" exercise on pages 182-4.

   April 6
   First Draft Presentations and Peer Critiques scheduled. Bring enough copies for each member of the class to review and critique.

   April 10
   Read Chapter 10: "The Freelance Process". Do The Keyboard" exercise on pages 199-200.

   April 13
   Peer Critiques begin.

   April 17
   Peer Critiques

   April 20
   Peer Critiques

   April 24
   UNBOUND upload

   April 27
   UNBOUND upload

   Return to the Syllabi Archive

   Created January 11, 2000