Writing a news report

Students will write a news report (300-350 words) for a print or online news publication based exclusively on a government or scientific report/study which they will be given during tutorials. The exercise requires students to identify the report's most newsworthy point(s); provide some context that might be needed to write a story about the report or study (i.e. do additional background work related to the study); and translate any difficult concepts or simplify complex language that is used in the document. Students will also prepare a list of questions (5 in total) that they would ask either the lead author of the report or study, or an expert who might offer an outside perspective. These questions are to be placed underneath the news report.

The aim of this assessment is to help students familiarise themselves with processes and procedures related to the construction of news in order to enable a better evaluation of news and current affairs. Furthermore, to help students develop the skills to be able to identify and create a news story; report in a clear, concise, factual and engaging way; develop an understanding of the use and implications of selecting, editing, condensing and excluding during the story construction process; and create for readers a rich and rewarding media experience.

This assessment is to be submitted through Turnitin (links to all assessments are on the iLearn page for this unit).

Assessment tasks are aligned to the unit Learning Outcomes. Timely submission of assessment tasks is a unit requirement or penalties apply. 10% per day (including weekends) will be deducted for all late submissions unless Disruptions to Studies (including a request for an extension) is approved.

The criteria against which the report will be graded are:

• identifying newsworthiness,

• structure and style,

• comprehensiveness,

• grammar and presentation, and

• appropriate interview questions.

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

1 Demonstrate key theories and practice of news and current affairs media

2. Evaluate the relationship between news and current affairs and politics and culture

3. Synthesize theories to understand and evaluate the relationship between news and current affairs and society

4. Demonstrate critical evaluation of news and current affairs in global media

Observe, listen and describe a short scene

This is an exercise in observation only. Students need not not ask any questions to anyone during this exercise. The task is to simply observe, listen and describe a short scene that unfolds before your eyes. Find a lively location and position yourself so you can see everything clearly, and wait and watch. The place could be a food court, the subway in peak hour, a beauty salon, a sporting arena, anywhere of your choosing. You should be looking out for a small scene to record, one with a beginning, middle and end. Based on your notes (both mental and written) write a 200-word story describing the scene. Leave yourself and your opinions out of the story.

This assessment builds your skills in observation and description.

This assessment is to be submitted through Turnitin (links to all assessments are on the iLearn page for this unit).

Assessment tasks are aligned to the unit Learning Outcomes. Timely submission of assessment tasks is a unit requirement or penalties apply. 10% per day (including weekends) will be deducted for all late submissions unless Disruptions to Studies (including a request for an extension) is approved.

The criteria against which the report will be graded are:

• good use of details,

• character development,

• engage the reader,

• structure and style, and 

• grammar and presentation

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

1 Demonstrate key theories and practice of news and current affairs media

2. Evaluate the relationship between news and current affairs and politics and culture

3. Synthesize theories to understand and evaluate the relationship between news and current affairs and society

4. Demonstrate critical evaluation of news and current affairs in global media

News IQ Quiz

Students knowledge of news and current affairs and associated theories will be tested twice throughout the unit via an online quiz (the quiz will be made available on the iLearn page during week 6 and week 12). The questions will be based on information discussed in the lectures and readings. 

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

1 Demonstrate key theories and practice of news and current affairs media

2 Evaluate the relationship between news and current affairs and politics and culture

3 Synthesize theories to understand and evaluate the relationship between news and current affairs and society

4 Demonstrate critical evaluation of news and current affairs in global media

News and Current Affairs Bulletin

This assessment is a class-based project and is the major assessment for this unit. Students will be required to produce a 15-20 minute television program filled with various news stories + live or pre-recorded interviews. A Web site will also be created to work in tandem with the program. The stories from the program will be featured on the Web site in different mediums e.g. photography and narrative journalism; audio stories; and video. Students will work collaboratively on this project from Week 7 to Week 13 incorporating both production skills (technical and management) and audio/visual and online storytelling techniques. This project will incorporate digital camera operation, video and audio recording, digital video and audio editing using desktop software, photography and narrative journalism. Students will take on a range of roles for this project. Roles include: presenters; reporters; writers; videographers and editors; designers; multimedia producers; sound/field recordists; and researchers. Some of these roles may overlap.

Students are required to write a 800-1000 word scholarly reflection on the role they performed for this assessment. In this scholarly reflection students will consider the process, constraints and structures that may have impacted their role and the class production. At least 3 scholarly references should be used in the scholarly reflection. The references should be used to make connections between theory and practice (i.e. compare and contrast your practical experience with theoretical approaches introduced in lectures and readings).

In the reflection students may reflect on:

• what you did and why you did it

• what you found easy or difficult

• why you found it easy or difficult

• what you liked about what you did

• why you felt like that

• how you might want to follow it up

• how you used what you have been taught in class

• what other information might have been helpful

• what you are going to do differently in this type of situation next time

• what steps you are going to take on the basis of what you have learned

• what you are going to do next

The scholarly reflection is to be submitted through Turnitin (links to all assessments are on the iLearn page for this unit).

Assessment tasks are aligned to the unit Learning Outcomes. Timely submission of assessment tasks is a unit requirement or penalties apply. 10% per day (including weekends) will be deducted for all late submissions unless Disruptions to Studies (including a request for an extension) is approved.

The criteria against which you will be graded are:

• Understanding of how news journalism functions
• Familiarity with current news topics, genres, styles and practices
• Performance and management of the everyday decision-making and practices of news journalists
• Understanding of the key ethical and legal obligations associated with news reporting
• Reflect-in-action and reflect-on-action to reveal new insights about practice and theory
• Work effectively in a team environment (completing required tasks on time and doing a fair share of the work overall)
• Develop and perform professional work practices in areas such as time-keeping and deadlines, professional etiquette, personal organisation and care of equipment

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

1 Demonstrate key theories and practice of news and current affairs media

2 Evaluate the relationship between news and current affairs and politics and culture

3 Synthesize theories to understand and evaluate the relationship between news and current affairs and society

4 Demonstrate critical evaluation of news and current affairs in global media

5 Reflect on practice and theory