Assessment 1: Individual Assignment - Feature Package (30%)

Writing a feature article for publication requires so much more than simply putting pen on paper (or fingers on keyboard). From the developing of the slant of your article to the selection of sources to interview and quote to the final writing and editing, much thought needs to go into the entire process. In this assignment, it is necessary for you to draw upon the learning outcomes of your module topics so far, including that of interviewing, reporting, audience, and readership, writing and editing techniques as well as feature writing. You are required to:

1.  Propose

2.  Research

3.  Interview (at least three human sources, including the profile subject),

4.  Write, and

5.  Edit/Proofread

To ultimately produce a FEATURE WRITING of 1,000 to 1,200 words (1-to-2-page spread) that is suitable as COVER STORY for a print publication (i.e.: newspaper or magazine).

Please note: the story angle must be pitched to and approved by the lecturer beforehand. Refer to the Module Assignment Brief for further details.

Questions you need to ask before beginning this assignment:

•   What is your motivation to write about this issue? What is your agenda (purpose) and opinion on the issue?

•   Where and how will you source for materials/information that you need to build your story? Having your own opinions on the subject matter is a start, but all opinions need to be supported with evidence and facts.

•   To whom are you writing for? Do you think they will want to read your piece of work?

•   Which medium or platform do you intend to publish your story in? Newspaper? Magazine? Online? The medium will dictate how extensive/in-depth your opinion piece will be.

•   What kind of impact or effect do you want to leave on your readers? How do you want them to feel/react after reading your piece?

INSTRUCTIONS

•    Firstly, pick an issue close to your heart that you want to write about and make sure you have a strong, evidence-based opinion on the issue. Outline the main points you want to make. (e.g. you want to write about climate change issues, and you believe the fight will be spearheaded by young people. You can write about how you and other young people are doing your part to act on climate change, drawing from various news articles and personal experiences. You can interview one or two other young people to comment on your story as well)

•   You need to do adequate research to plan and build on your story to ensure that whatever views and opinions you want to promote and share, they are credible. As such, leverage on issues that is currently trending which you are passionate or care about.

•    Before writing the story, like any journalist or columnist in the newsroom, you will need to pitch this story idea first to the editor (which is your module coordinator). This will take place in Week 3. Your story pitch will need to satisfactorily address the five questions that was outlined above.

•   You will need to quote from a minimum of two people/sources to lend credibility to your story. If you are quoting a person, ensure he/she has considerably expertise or experience to comment on the issue. If it is from a previously published source, ensure it is fact-checked, accurate and credible

SUBMISSION FORMAT

•   Submission of this assignment will be made through myTIMeS in PDF format only. Your submission needs to include following:

1.  Assignment coversheet (first page)

2.  Your feature article (1,000 -1,200 words, 1.5 paragraph spacing, Times New Roman font 12)

a.  Article’s headline and your byline + student ID + Publication name (where do you envision this story being published?)

b.  You may include any accompanying images with photo captions and source.

3.  List of references used

4.  Appendix: Basic details of your sources, and Interview Q&A

5.  Please include Turnitin Report in the submission. The plagiarism percentage cannot be more than 10%

6.  Feedback form (last page)

MARKING RUBRICS

Gather, generate, and communicate messages by combining, synthesizing, or reapplying new and existing information through various media platforms.

Criteria

Deliver content

with consideration of audience,

purpose, and

context surrounding the task, both orally and in written form   as well as any

other appropriate forms

Weightage

30%

Outstanding

(22-30)

Deliver compelling content which

demonstrates a

thorough understanding of

appropriate context,

audience, and purpose, in oral, written and any  other appropriate forms

Mastering (15-21)

Deliver a central content which

demonstrates a thorough

understanding of appropriate

context, audience, and purpose, in

oral, written and any

other appropriate forms

Developing

(8-14)

Deliver basic content

which demonstrates a  basic understanding of appropriate context,

audience, and purpose, in oral, written and any  other appropriate forms

Beginning

(0-7)

Deliver superficial content which

demonstrates a lack of understanding of

appropriate context, audience, and

purpose, in oral, written and any other

appropriate forms

Assessment 2: Group Assignment - Developing an Online Media Website (40%)

Writing for media encompasses many different forms of written works and styles. In this module, you have learned a range of writing – from factual news and human-interest stories to promotional writing. In this major group assignment, it is necessary for you to draw upon the various learning outcomes from the entire module including that of news writing, feature writing, promotional writing, broadcast writing as well as editing techniques. You are required to:

1.  Form into groups of 6 - 8 (maximum 8)

2.  Research

3.  Interview

4.  Write

5.  Video shoot

6.  Edit

7.  Design

To ultimately produce a complete WEBSITE FOR A SPECIFIC THEME

Points to note:

•    Every piece of writing that makes up the website content needs to be ORIGINAL and non-plagiarised from any existing resource.

•   The design and layout of the website is up to you, and it need not be overly complex.

ASSESSMENT

•   Gather, generate, and communicate messages by combining, synthesizing, or reapplying new and existing information through various media platforms.

•    Demonstrate suitable media writing and editing styles for print, broadcast and online media platforms.

•    Develop, interpret, and express ideas through written and verbal communication.

•   Working collaboratively in a team.

THEMES

Some possible examples include current issues, music, performing arts, fine arts, spoken words, film, animation, literature, photography, video games, visual arts and design etc.

GROUP WORK

•    Each member of the group to produce minimum of 2 write-up. Include proper headline and byline.

•    Flexibility and divergent thinking

•    Demonstrate disciplinary convention and display organisation

•    Build positive relationships, establish, and maintain cooperative relationships and actively participate within a group (Measuring: Relationship Management and Active Participation)

SUBMISSION FORMAT

•   Submission of this assignment will be made through myTIMeS in PDF format only. Your submission needs to include following:

1.  Assignment coversheet (first page) – List down all the group members’ name and to include website title and URL link.

2.  List of references used

3.  Group leader to fill in the Google form uploaded on myTIMeS with details of the website.