COMM 103: Freelance Journalism

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Winter 2021
Credits: 1
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lab Hours: 54
Hours Arranged: 0
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101 or ENGL 101E, and COMM 101.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course is designed to accommodate students who wish to contribute to the campus newspaper, magazines and/or student publications websites but are unable to enroll in regular staff classes. Students who are interested in advertising, writing, photography, art, graphics and/or page design may participate in student publications to a limited extent through this class. 54 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • demonstrate increased skill and proficiency in publication techniques
  • participate in the process of producing student publications
  • compile a portfolio of published works useful in seeking employment or transfer to a four-year institution
  • demonstrate skill in proposing freelance stories to editors

Lab Content

  1. Basics of freelance journalism
    1. Publications hardware and software
    2. Copy preparation
    3. Associated Press style
    4. Facts-based story telling
    5. Beating deadline
  2. Feature story fundamentals
    1. Generating ideas for features
    2. Feature story structures
    3. Covering student activities
    4. Interviewing techniques and punctuation of attribution
    5. Writing personality profiles
  3. Articulating personal points of view
    1. Relating current events to campus life
    2. Pitching ideas
    3. Writing the opinion story essay
  4. Professional portfolio
    1. Preparing clips of stories and photos
    2. Digital compilation and expression
  5. Generating Non-Fiction Story Ideas
    1. Research techniques: Interviewing live sources
    2. Research techniques: Library searches
    3. Research techniques: Searching computer data bases
  6. Writing a Draft
    1. Focusing on a specific news feature angles
    2. Fashioning a lead
    3. Rethinking, researching, revising, and rewriting
    4. Adding visuals: Photography and graphics
    5. Presenting the package for publication

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Clarion newspaper, ccclarion.com Logos magazine, logosmagazinecc.com Clarion staff manual

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Write and edit articles for the campus newspaper, magazines and student publications websites

Examples of Outside Assignments

Write and edit articles and shoot photos/video for the campus newspaper, magazines and student publications websites

Instruction Type(s)

Lab, Online Education Lab