Fast-track Practical Journalism Skills

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: Imke Henkel
• Assessment: a 350-word news report plus 800-word reflective essay (20%), 1,200-word interview-based feature and 150-word pitching email (30%), 800-word review (20%) and a 1500-word news feature (30%)

This module aims to equip you with the skills needed to work as a freelance or staff journalist on newspapers, magazines and online titles. It covers fundamental aspects of professional competence such as news writing, genres, feature-writing, law and ethics, as well as the more practical side of journalistic work: how to get contacts, identify a target market, approach a publication and pitch an idea.

The module also looks at the bigger picture of the journalism industry, its relation to society and its future, while developing the personal skills needed to succeed in a highly dynamic professional environment.

Indicative module content

• The media and the market
• News writing
• The news cycle
• Making a living from freelancing
• Feature writing
• Research and interviews
• Specialisations and trade journalism
• Travel writing, reviews and opinion
• The visual dimension
• Standfirsts, headlines, captions and proofing
• Blogging and editing small publications
• Media law