Course Syllabus: Freelance Feature Writing (Jrnl 417-001) Fall, 2013

Course Syllabus: Freelance Feature Writing (Jrnl 417-001) Fall, 2013 Instructor: Uche Onyebadi, Ph.D. Office: 1210 E, Communications Building Office Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 2 4 p.m.; Also by appointment Email: onyebadi@siu.edu; Phone: 618-536-3361 Class Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:35 p.m. 1:50 p.m. Classroom: Communications Room 1250 Course Duration: August 19 December 13, 2013 Course Description & Goals: This course is designed to assist students develop feature writing skills and market their work. Students will learn how to gather and analyze information, conduct meaningful interviews, organize their work and meet the demands of the increasingly competitive market. Success in this course largely depends on mastery of the language (English), being an effective writer, and having an appetite for hard work. Textbooks: 1. Cheryl S Wray, Writing for Magazines, McGraw-Hill (2 nd Ed) (Wray M) 2. Cheryl S. Way, Writing Feature Articles, Vision Press (Required). (Wray FA) 3. National Writers Union (James Waller, Ed.), Freelance Writers Guide (2 nd Ed.) (Required) 4. Sharon Wheeler, Feature Writing for Journalists, Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group). Course Regulations/Expectations: Students should read their assigned texts. Students should conduct themselves with decorum and show respect to their colleagues, Teaching Assistant(s) and the Instructor. The use of cell phones, laptops and other electronic gadgets for any reason outside class work is prohibited. It is a taboo to eat or drink beverages in class. Water is allowed. Any student who becomes unruly will be advised to leave the classroom. Attendance is mandatory and will attract a total of 15 points (i.e. one point for each week of full attendance for 15 weeks of class lecture). Punctuality is the norm. Students are expected to be seated before the official time for class to begin. Students will sign the attendance register before class. Lateness means coming to class after the allotted time for class to begin. Walking into class after this time will be considered a disturbance to class lecture and activities. Any absence must be communicated in advance and permission obtained from the instructor. Emergency situations for an absence do not include trivial issues such as not waking up in time for class. Each unexcused absence will attract a 2-point deduction at the end of the semester. The Desire To Learn (D2L) system will be our channel of communication. Students are expected to check D2L from time to time. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her D2L access is functional. 1

Announcements/Information, s/quizzes, Grades etc. will be uploaded on D2L. Any class activity where a hard copy is required will be communicated in advance. s/quizzes must be completed and submitted on D2L when they are due. Late submission of assignments/quizzes is seriously discouraged. A minimum of 5 points will be deducted for any assignment/quiz that is not submitted when it is due. English is the language of communication in this class. Students are expected to be proficient in the language and reflect this proficiency in their written work. If you are not sure how to use an apostrophe, for instance, write the words in full. Academic dishonesty in the form of plagiarism or any other form will not be tolerated. Any student who does this will get an F grade for that assignment. Ignorance of rules about plagiarism will not be an acceptable excuse. If you are not sure about the rules, contact the instructor for clarification. Students with special needs in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should notify the instructor for accommodation. As a rule, I do not give extra assignments for extra credits. Students should complete their assignments etc. with the rest of the class. However, such credits may be available in circumstances that will be determined by the instructor. This course syllabus is subject to changes. Any change or addition will be communicated to students. In the first week of class, each student will e-mail the instructor to affirm that he/she has read and understands this course syllabus. This course syllabus should be read together with the Fall Syllabus Attachment at http://pvcaa.siu.edu/academic-administration-forms-links/index.html (see Fall Syllabus Attachment at the bottom of the page) Problem Solving: Your academic problem can be solved, if you bring it to my attention. Together, we will find a pragmatic solution to the problem. However, it will not be practical to offer any reasonable solution to problems that are brought very late in the day (e.g. two weeks to the end of the semester). s: The following assignments will be accomplished by students in this course. 1. Feature Stories: This will consist of articles on Remarkable Experience, Personality Profile, Institutional Profile and How-To-Do something. 2. Article critique An analysis of a published feature article. 3. Market Analysis An analysis of a publishing house and its market share. 4. Pitching Ideas A group of students will present a project idea to their colleagues and get a feedback from them. Students must do a thorough job on this assignment 5. Practicum Students will gain practical experience by freelancing with the Daily Egyptian (DE) at the School of Journalism, SIUC. 6. Final Project This will be a major feature. Students will be divided into groups for this assignment. 7. Query Letter This is an impromptu assignment. 8. Final Examination 2

*Professionalism Points for this will be awarded by the instructor based on an assessment of a student s dedication and participation in class work, discussions etc. Attendance, prompt submission of assignments, decorum etc. will also be factored into awarding points. Points are distributed as follows: Feature: Remarkable Experience 5 How-To-Do 10 Personality Profile 35 Institutional Profile 35 Attendance 15 Article Critique 35 Market Analysis 35 Pitching an Idea 25 Query Letter 15 Practicum Daily Egyptian Feature Story (Group) 100 Article in Weekender (2) 10 Final Project 75 Final Examination (Grammar) 100 Professionalism 5 Total 500 The Grading Scale is as follows (No rounding up to a whole number. This means that for you to get an A grade, for instance, you must score 450 points or more): 450 500 A (90-100 percent) 400 449 B (80-90 percent) 350 399 C (70-79 percent) 300 349 D (60-69 percent) 0 299 F (59 percent and lower) Weekly Schedule: Week 1: Aug 19-23 Tue 20 th Course Introduction : Housekeeping issues Thur 22 nd What it takes to be a Magazine/Feature Writer Reading Wray (M), Chpt. 1; Wray (FA), Chapt. 1 Week 2: Aug 26-30 Tue 27 th Types of Magazine/Feature Articles Thur 29 th Types of Magazine/Feature Articles Reading Wray (M), Chpt. 2; Wheeler, Chpt. 1; Remarkable Experience assigned 3

Week 3: Sept 2 6 (Labor Day Holiday on Mon 2 nd ) Tue 3 rd Getting Ready to Write: Sourcing materials Thur 5 th Getting Ready to Write: Doing an Interview Reading Wray (M), Chpt. 8; Wray (FA), Chpt 10; Wheeler, Chpt. 2 Remarkable Experience due; How-to-Do assigned Pitching an Idea Group 1 Week 4: Sept 9-13 Tue 10 th How to Write a Feature Article Thur 12 th How to Write a Feature Article Reading Wray (M), Chpt. 9; Wray (FA), Chpts. 11-13; Wheeler, Chpts. 3 & 4 How-to-Do due; Personality Profile assigned Pitching an Idea Group 2 Week 5: Sept 16-20 Tue 17 th Mind Your Language What makes a good piece of work! Thur 19 th The Writers Market Reading NWU, Chpt. 3; Wray (M), Chpts. 10 & 11; Wray (FA); Chpts 11-13 Personality Profile due; Institutional Profile assigned Pitching an Idea Group 3 Week 6: Sept 23-27 Tue 24 th Marketing Your Work Thur 26 th The Books Market Reading NWU, Chpt. 2; Wray (M), Chpt. 4; Wray (FA), Chpt. 8 Institutional Profile due; Article Critique 1 assigned Pitching an Idea Group 4 Week 7: Sept 30 Oct 4 Tue 1 st When you draw a Blank Writer s Block Thur 3 rd Electronic Publishing Reading Wray (M), Chpt. 12; NWU, Chpt. 4 Article Critique 1 due; Final Project Discussed in Class Pitching an Idea Group 5 Week 8: Oct 7-11 Tue 8 th Legal Issues Thur 10 th Writing as a Business Reading Wray (M), Chpt. 13 ; Wray (FA), Chpt. 15; NWU, Chpt. 1 Article Critique 2 due; Market Analysis assigned Pitching an Idea Group 6 4

Fall Break: October 12 - October 15; Fire drill for Thurs., Oct. 17th at 10:30 AM. Week 9: Oct 14-18 Tue 15th No Class Fall Break Thur 17 th Censorship Reading Wray (M), Chpt. 14; NWU, Chpt. 11 Market Analysis due Week 10: Oct 21-25 Tue 22 nd Final Project Review Groups 1, 2 & 3 Thur 24 th Final Project Review Groups 4, 5 & 6 Reading Week 11: Oct 28 Nov 1 Tue 29 th How Not To Get Published Thur 31 st Technical Writing Reading Wray (M), Chpt. 15; NWU, Chpt. 5 Week 12: Nov 4-8 Tue 5 th Writing Reviews; Writing for Online Thur 7 th Review of Writers Tools Reading Wheeler, Chpt. 6; Wray (M), Chpt. 7; Wray (FA), Chpt. 3 Week 13: Nov 11 15 (Mon Veterans Day Holiday) Tue 12 th Time Management Thur 14 th Writing for Newspapers Reading Wray, Chpt. 6; Wray (FA); Chpt 2 Week 14: Nov 18-22 Tue 19 th Other Outlets: Corporate/Not-for-Profit Market Thur 21 st Instructional Writing Reading NWU, Chpts. 6 & 7 5

Week 15: Nov 25 29 (Thanksgiving Nov 27 Dec 1) Tue 26 th Writing For Performance & The Literary Market Thur 28 th No Class Reading NWU, Chpts. 8 & 9 Final Project Due Week 16: Dec 2-6 Tue 3 rd A Writer s Concerns Thur 5 th TBA Reading NWU, Chpts. 8 & 9 Week 17: Dec 9-13 (Examination Week) Tue 10 th No Class Thurs 12 th Final Exams: Wed., Dec 11 @ 12:50-02:50p.m. Note: a. This course syllabus will be available online (D2L) throughout the semester. b. This course syllabus must be read with the Fall 2013 Syllabus Attachment http://pvcaa.siu.edu/academic-administration-forms-links/index.html Jnrl 417 Groups Table For class presentation and project Group Names 1 Burgstahler, Karsten S.*; Coleman, Jalisa M.; Daray, Matthew 2 Davis Murray, Joshua D.*; Erd, Amanda C.; Green, Nathan L. 3 Hellmann, Joshua M. *; Jacobson, Justin J.; Lampe, Allison V. 4 Matyus, Allison L.*; Petre, Haley E.; Phipps, Sherrie B. 5 Plotner, Kayli A.*; Short, Lewis R.; Strong, Brittany S. 6 Sutton, Kyle D.*; Thompson, Charinder D.; Willingham, Brandon A. Young, Desiree D. *Group Coordinator 6

Jnrl 417 Groups Table For Daily Egyptian Practicum Group Members Feature Deadline for Submission to DE 1 Burgstahler, Karsten S.* Campus Profile September 18 Coleman, Jalisa M. Daray, Matthew Davis Murray, Joshua D. Erd, Amanda C. Green, Nathan L. 2 Hellmann, Joshua M. * Game Day October 9 Jacobson, Justin J. Lampe, Allison V. Matyus, Allison L. Petre, Haley E. Phipps, Sherrie B. 3 Plotner, Kayli A. * Housing Guide October 29 Short, Lewis R. Strong, Brittany S. Sutton, Kyle D. Thompson, Charinder D. Willingham, Brandon A. Young, Desiree D. *Group Coordinator. Deadlines cannot be changed. Guidelines For DE Supplements: Jrnl 417 Overview: This opportunity is designed to give students a practical experience in writing feature stories for publication. Students will work in groups for three supplements for the Daily Egyptian: (a) Game Day Edition (Homecoming) (b) Campus Profiles, and (c) Housing Guide. Each student will earn a maximum of 100 points for participating in this exercise. Each group will handle a supplement, and will report to Jerry Bush, the coordinator of project. Students will be graded according to the guidelines below. Grading Guidelines: 1. Pitching Ideas: Each group will approach Jerry with ideas for the supplements. Each group member will go with three good ideas for the project. Points: 15 2. Content: How relevant is your idea? How is your contribution organized and packaged for publication? Is your submission well written? Did you do a comprehensive job on the issue? Points: 25 3. Editing: It is important that you submit a story that is good to go so to speak. A story that is minimally edited will attract high marks. Points: 40 7

4. Professionalism: As instructed in class, you MUST be a good professional if you plan to survive in the industry. So, we shall watch how professional you are while carrying out this project. Being professional includes: being mindful of instructions; meeting deadlines; showing up for appointments and making meaningful contributions toward the execution of the project; taking initiatives; being courteous to your colleagues and everyone involved in the project etc. Points: 20 Guidelines for D.E. Newspaper Supplement Project Audience: Campus Profiles: Students deciding majors and shopping for what campus departments and colleges have to offer. (Examples: Improved campus aesthetics, New Administrative Services building and Library, RSOs, etc). Game Day: SIU Alumns, students, parents, community. (Examples: Homecoming stories, Celebrity alumns, etc). Housing Guide: Students shopping of student housing. (Examples: apartment hunting tips, personal experiences, apartment decorating tips, responsibility of student pet owners, etc.) Mechanical Requirements: a. 12 point font b. Arial or Times c. Double-spaced d. 1.5-2 pages in length e. Must be submitted in digital format (Word) on a cd Content Requirements: a. Topic must be approved by D.E. advisor b. Content must be related to subject matter of newspaper supplement. Editing: a. All submissions will be edited for proper grammar, spelling and proper content. b. Submissions may be edited in length. Professionalism: a. All deadlines must be met in a timely manner. No late work will be accepted. b. All topics must be approved before articles will be accepted. c. Deadlines: Other Criteria: a. Although both good and bad experiences are excellent content for an apartment shopping guide. Absolutely, NO names of businesses, landlords, or any others will be allowed into final publication. =========================================================================== 8

Syllabus Attachment Fall 2013 We emphasize student achievement and success because achievement and success are essential if we are to shape future leaders and transform lives. ¹ IMPORTANT DATES Last day to add a class (without instructor permission). 8/30/2013 Last day to withdraw completely and receive a 100% refund.9/01/2013 Last day to drop a course using SalukiNet...10/27/2013 Last day to file diploma application (for name to appear in Fall Commencement program).11/01/2013 Final examinations.12/9 12/13/2013 Note: For outreach, internet, and short course drop/add dates, visit Registrar s Academic webpage http://registrar.siu.edu/ FALL SEMESTER HOLIDAYS Labor Day 09/02/2013 Fall Break 10/12 10/15/2013 Veterans Day 11/11/2013 Thanksgiving Break 11/27 12/1/2013 WITHDRAWAL POLICY ~ Undergraduate only Students who officially register for a session may not withdraw merely by the stopping of attendance. An official withdrawal form needs to be initiated by the student and processed by the University. For the proper procedures to follow when dropping courses and when withdrawing from the University, please visit http://registrar.siu.edu/pdf/ugradcatalog1314.pdf INCOMPLETE POLICY~ Undergraduate only An INC is assigned when, for reasons beyond their control, students engaged in passing work are unable to complete all class assignments. An INC must be changed to a completed grade within one semester following the term in which the course was taken, or graduation, whichever occurs first. Should the student fail to complete the course within the time period designated, that is, by no later than the end of the semester following the term in which the course was taken, or graduation, whichever occurs first, the incomplete will be converted to a grade of F and the grade will be computed in the student's grade point average. For more information please visit: http://registrar.siu.edu/grades/incomplete.html REPEAT POLICY An undergraduate student may, for the purpose of raising a grade, enroll in a course for credit no more than two times (two total enrollments) unless otherwise noted in the course description. For students receiving a letter grade of A,B,C,D, or F, the course repetition must occur at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Only the most recent (last) grade will be calculated in the overall GPA and count toward hours earned. See full policy at http://registrar.siu.edu/pdf/ugradcatalog1314.pdf GRADUATE POLICIES Graduate policies often vary from Undergraduate policies. To view the applicable policies for graduate students, please visit http://gradschool.siu.edu/about-us/gradcatalog/index.html DISABILITY POLICY Disability Support Services provides the required academic and programmatic support services to students with permanent and temporary disabilities. DSS provides centralized coordination and referral services. To utilize DSS services, students must come to the DSS to open cases. The process involves interviews, reviews of studentsupplied documentation, and completion of Disability Accommodation Agreements. http://disabilityservices.siu.edu/ STUDENT CONDUCT CODE http://policies.siu.edu/other_policies/chapter3/cond uct.html 9

SALUKI CARES The purpose of Saluki Cares is to develop, facilitate and coordinate a university-wide program of care and support for students in any type of distress physical, emotional, financial, or personal. By working closely with faculty, staff, students and their families, SIU will continue to display a culture of care and demonstrate to our students and their families that they are an important part of the community. For Information on Saluki Cares: (618) 453-5714, or siucares@siu.edu, http://salukicares.siu.edu/index.html EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Southern Illinois University Carbondale is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. We ask that you become familiar with the SIU Emergency Response Plan and Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) programs. Emergency response information is available on posters in buildings on campus, available on BERT s website at www.bert.siu.edu, Department of Safety s website at www.dps.siu.edu (disaster drop down) and the Emergency Response Guideline pamphlet. Instructors will provide guidance and direction to students in the classroom in the event of an emergency affecting your location. It is important that you follow these instructions and stay with your instructor during an evacuation or sheltering emergency. INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE SIU contains people from all walks of life, from many different cultures and sub-cultures, and representing all strata of society, nationalities, ethnicities, lifestyles, and affiliations. Learning from and working with people who differ is an important part of education as well an essential preparation for any career. For more information please visit: http://www.inclusiveexcellence.siu.edu/ find more information please visit the Center for Learning and Support Services website: Tutoring : http://tutoring.siu.edu/ Math Labs http://tutoring.siu.edu/math_tutoring/index.html WRITING CENTER The Writing Center offers free tutoring services to all SIU students and faculty. To find a Center or Schedule an appointment please visit http://write.siu.edu/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Our office's main focus is to ensure that the university complies with federal and state equity policies and handles reporting and investigating of discrimination cases. For more information visit: http://diversity.siu.edu/# Additional Resources Available: SALUKINET: https://salukinet.siu.edu/cp/home/displaylogin ADVISEMENT: http://advisement.siu.edu/ PROVOST & VICE CHANCELLOR: http://pvcaa.siu.edu/ SIU ONLINE: http://online.siu.edu/ ¹ Southern Illinois University Carbondale. (2013). Pathways to Excellence: A Strategic Plan. Retrieved from http://chancellor.siu.edu/_common/docs/a_st rategic_plan.pdf Fall 2013 R.O Rourke MORRIS LIBRARY HOURS http://www.lib.siu.edu/about LEARNING AND SUPPORT SERVICES Help is within reach. Learning support services offers free tutoring on campus and math labs. To 10

Building Emergency Response Protocols University s Emergency Procedure Clause: Southern Illinois University Carbondale is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the SIUC Emergency Response Plan and Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) program. Emergency response information is available on posters in buildings on campus, available on BERT s website at www.bert.siu.edu, Department of Public Safety s website www.dps.siu.edu (disaster drop down) and in the Emergency Response Guideline pamphlet. Know how to respond to each type of emergency. Instructors will provide guidance and direction to students in the classroom in the event of an emergency affecting your location. It is important that you follow these instructions and stay with your instructor during an evacuation or sheltering emergency. The Building Emergency Response Team will provide assistance to your instructor in evacuating the building or sheltering within the facility. Students With a Disability: Instructors and students in the class will work together as a team to assist students with a disability safely out of the building. Students with a disability will stay with the instructor and communicate with the instructor what is the safest way to assist them. Tornado: During the spring semester we have a Storm Drill. Pick up your belongings and your instructor will lead you to a safe area of the basement. No one will be allowed to stay upstairs. Stay away from windows. The drill should not last more than 10 minutes. You must stay with your instructor so he/she can take roll. Students need to be quiet in the basement as the BERT members are listening to emergency instructions on handheld radios and cannot hear well in the basement. Fire: During the fall semester we have a Fire Drill. Thurs., Oct. 17th at 10:30 AM Pick up your belongings and your instructor will lead you to either the North or South parking lot depending on what part of the building your class is in. You must stay with your instructor so he/she can take roll. As soon as the building is all clear, you will be allowed to return to class. These drills are to train instructors and the Building Emergency Response Team to get everyone to a safe place during an emergency. Bomb Threat: If someone calls in a bomb threat, class will be suspended and students will be asked to pick up their belongings, evacuate the building and leave the premises. Do not leave anything that is 11

yours behind. We will not allow anyone back into the building until the police and bomb squad give us an all clear. DO NOT USE YOUR CELL PHONES. Some bombs are triggered by a cell phone signal. Shooter in the Building: If it is safe to leave, move to a safe area far from the building away from where the shooter is located. If anyone has any information about the shooter, please contact the police after they have gone someplace safe. If it is not safe to leave, go into a room, lock the door and turn out the lights. Everyone should spread out and not huddle together as a group. Don't stand in front of the door or in line of fire with the door. Students' chair and desks should be piled in front of the glass and door as a barricade and the teacher's desk, podium and anything movable can be pushed against the door. This is intended to slow down any attempts to enter the classroom. If it looks like the shooter is persistent and able to enter, make a lot of noise and have the students use everything in their backpacks to throw at the shooter to distract him. Silence all cell phones after one person in the room calls the police and informs them of their location and how many people are in the room. Be quiet and wait for the police to arrive. The police are looking for one or more shooters, and they have no way of knowing if the shooter is in the room people are hiding in. For this reason, when the police enter the room, no one should have anything in his/her hands and each person MUST raise his/her hands above his/her head. Earthquake: In the event of an earthquake, you are advised to take cover quickly under heavy furniture or crouch near an interior wall or corner and cover your head to avoid falling debris. Outside the building are trees and power lines and debris from the building itself that you will need to stay away from. In the building, large open areas like auditoriums are the most dangerous. Do not try to escape on a stairway or elevator. Do not hide under a stairway. We do not recommend that you stand in a doorway because the door could shut from the vibrations and crush your fingers trapping you there. Women's Self Defense Classes are offered to female students faculty and staff by the Department of SIU Public Safety. For more information, contact Officer Russell Thomas russellt@dps.siu.edu. 12