Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Advanced News Writing and Newsroom Skills
SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: JAC08124
Module leader: Carolyn Scott
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Media and Humanities
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

This module will further develop your news-writing skills, elevating your practice to the requirements of a professional newsroom.?It will deepen your understanding of how and where to find stories, and how to evaluate them in terms of news values and audience interests. You will learn how to develop stories to make them as strong as possible, within appropriate ethical and legal constraints. The module will help you gather facts, carry out interviews, write articles, and consider photo/video treatments – all to deadline. You will understand the different demands posed by modern newsrooms, including the promotion of your material on social media. Through practical exercises, the module will help you understand how newsrooms function and the different roles journalists play within them. It will also deepen your understanding of how news teams work together.?
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Apply newsgathering skills by evaluating sources and identifying stories based on news values and audience relevance.

LO2: Demonstrate effective news-writing with a focus on clarity, accuracy, ethics, and legal considerations.

LO3: Demonstrate an understanding of how professional news teams function and the roles within them.

LO4: Work collaboratively to produce news material in a simulated newsroom setting.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 1, IN PERSON,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: IN PERSON
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Carolyn Scott
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 12 In lectures, you will be taught key techniques for finding, evaluating, and developing stories. You will be expected to study different news treatments in different media to understand how to deploy them. You will learn about the key roles in a newsroom.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 24 In workshops and practical classes, you will hone your practical skills by going out to find stories, pitching them, offering feedback, and working in teams. You will take part in simulated newsroom environments, where you will gain experience of all the relevant roles.
Online Guided independent study 164 Through guided independent study you will source news stories, identifying appropriate stories to pitch in practical sessions, and practice your news writing skills.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Practical Skills Assessment 30 1~2~3~4 Week 12 HOURS= 6 hours Following several formative mock news days, you will work in a small group to write, curate and publish a range of articles. You will be assessed on your ability to work effectively as a team to identify and source appropriate stories; write and subedit the copy; publish your articles with accompanying multimedia content on a dedicated website; and develop headlines, pull-quotes and captions.
Portfolio 70 1~2~3~4 Week 13 , WORDS= 2000 words Throughout the module, you will complete a series of formative tasks relating to news writing and working in a newsroom. In your summative portfolio, you will select and refine examples of this work, showcasing your engagement with formative assessments and your contribution to the group tasks. You will supplement each of your portfolio pieces with a short reflective commentary that critically evaluates your learning, informed decision making, ability to work as part of a team, and personal development throughout the module. The commentary should demonstrate your understanding of newsroom roles and professional news writing standards.
Component 1 subtotal: 30
Component 2 subtotal: 70
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
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