Overview

In this unit, you gain insights into how journalists define news and construct news stories; develop an understanding of how news stories and features are structured; explore the various genres of journalistic writing through practical exercises; and create a marketable piece of journalistic writing.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Study Period 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
24-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-May-2025
Results released date
24-June-2025
Study Period 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
24-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-May-2025
Results released date
24-June-2025
Study Period 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-June-2025
31-August-2025
Last self-enrolment date
15-June-2025
Census date
23-June-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
18-July-2025
Results released date
23-September-2025
Study Period 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-June-2025
31-August-2025
Last self-enrolment date
15-June-2025
Census date
23-June-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
18-July-2025
Results released date
23-September-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Identify and critically evaluate the functions and conventions of journalistic reporting
  • Demonstrate practical hard news writing skills
  • Initiate, plan, research, and produce a feature article of publishable standard

Teaching methods

Open University Australia

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		3.00 12 weeks 36
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		8.77 13 week 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Online Discussion ThreadsIndividual/Group 40% 1,2,3 
Written AssignmentIndividual 60% 1,2,3 

Content

  • ​Critical and cultural perspectives on the function of the news media
  • News values and conventions of news stories
  • Writing style and the news story
  • Structure and the news story
  • The characteristics of feature articles
  • Interviewing and the ethics of journalism
  • Broadcast journalism
  • Reporting on conflict
  • Alternative forms of journalism
  • Opportunities for publication
  • Graduate Attribute: Communication Skills - Communicating using different media
  • Graduate Attribute: Teamwork Skills - Collaboration and negotiation
  • Graduate Attribute: Digital Literacies  - Information literacy
     

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.