This course is a primer on how to identify, report and write news pieces. It includes an introduction to journalism fundamentals and ethics, concept of news - what is noteworthy and why, techniques to find news stories, building news sources and practicing various news writing formats. Writing formats like a news report, features, profiles, analysis, investigative, the narrative, graphic non-fiction, will be examined. An important aspect in the multimedia digital age will also be writing for online broadcast. Either for edited video stories, or pithy graphic driven text.
Reading lists and a collective weekly news bulletin will be used to identify news peg and what fits into the current news cycle. Through practice on the field and best examples of national and international reports, the student will know how to write a first-hand ground report in a concise, authentic and contextual manner. The health situation permitting, students will learn how to practice clear, accurate, informative, reporting through field trips. The course will also focus on how to structure a news report and use research skills to find and evaluate sources, background the news, put stories in context, and check facts.
tisha.srivastav@ashoka.edu.in