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.
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. YOU MUST SUMBIT FACT-CHECKING MATERIAL IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A GRADE!!!!!
This will constitute 50 percent of your 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 will be based on scores on grades and quizzes. The final ten percent will be based upon your participation in the class e-mail discussion list.
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.
March 1 -- 800- 1000 - word service piece -- editor in chief, production manager, layout editor and section editors exempt
March 29 -- 800-1000 - word profile -- copy editors, editor-in-chief, senior editor, photo editor, layout manager and production manager exempt
April 12 -- 800-1000 - word story for trade publication -- mangaging editor, photo editor, production and layout manager exempt
The AP Stylebook and Libel Manual
All other texts will be on the web, on reserve, or handed out in class.
1/21 -- Distribute UNBOUND manual, which you should review for
1/28 quiz.
Collect application letters. Form personnel committee. Discuss story
ideas. Queries due before next class.
1/25 -- Reporting basics. Play "Research
Rodeo".
Win a fabulous prize.... Read Metzler interviewing handout for next class
1/28 -- UNBOUND Quiz. Discuss interviewing. Staff assignments
announced.
2/1 -- Discuss story status. Analyzing a story's structure.
2/4 -- Libel and fairness.
2/8 -- Story one due. Analyzing service pieces. Discuss ideas for
second story, due March 1.
Query due 2/11.
2/11 -- Collect queries. UNBOUND status report. Peer critiques of
first stories, using critique form to be provided in class. A sample of
the form is here.
2/15 UNBOUND report. Continued peer reviews. Peer fact-checking on
first
stories.
2/18 -- Read and analyze Epstein, "The Grand Eccentric of the
Concert Hall."
2/22 -- Narrative devices in non-fiction writing: narration,
description, exposition.
Read , "Talese: Mr. Bad News"
2/25 -- Literary devices in non-fiction writing:
Epstein,
"Children of the Holocaust." Discuss story progress.
3/1 -- Second stories due. Rewriting. Queries for third stories due
March 11.
3/4 -- Peer critique of second stories. Attendance at Women's
History Month lecture on objectivity is encouraged.
3/8 -- Peer critiques continued.
3/11 -- Queries due. Peer evaluations
BREAK
3/22 -- Status of third stories. Discussion of trade stories
3/25 -- Editorial meeting. Medical and science reporting. Read
Science and objectivity paper and discussion
3/29 -- Story 3 due. Discuss trade pubs.
4/1 -- Peer critiques of story 3.
4/5-- Peer critiques continued
4/8 -- Story status. Fact-checking and other production assistance
for UNBOUND.
4/12 -- Story 4 due. In class critique.
4/15 -- In-class critique. Production session.
4/19 -- 29 -- Production session, conferences, wrap-up