FEATURE WRITING INTRODUCTION 2015

FEATURE WRITING Feature Writing is a core module of the BA (Hons) Journalism degree programme. It is a 20-credit module, which runs during Semester 1 of Year 2 of the programme. This module will look at the role of features in newspapers and magazines and will develop students’ feature writing skills providing them with the confidence and ability to write longer, more analytical pieces.

FEATURE WRITING LEARNING OUTCOMES As you know all modules in this programme have a set of learning outcomes, these are the skills and knowledge you will have acquired as you progress through the module

FEATURE WRITING At the end of this module you will be able to: L1. Write features proposals that are appropriate to a range of targeted newspapers and magazines. L2. Write features for newspapers and magazines that are relevant to specific audiences and conform to industry standards in terms of writing style. L3. Gather information from a range of sources and devise appropriate research strategies. L4. Devise questions for interview purposes, identify appropriate contacts and arrange and conduct interviews and provide accurate reports of these.

FEATURE WRITING ASSESSMENT Assessment involves the production of features proposals that illustrate the students’ understanding of the different demands of different publications. Assessment 1 is a features proposal paper worth 30% of total marks for the module and should be c.1000 words in length. Assessment 2 students is a portfolio of a range of feature writing styles totalling 3,000 words in length, supported by a commentary, worth 70% of the final mark.

FEATURE WRITING ASSESMENT DEADLINES Assessment 1October 29, 2015 Assessment 2December 11, 2015 Assessments must be submitted by 4.30pm on the due date. Assessments must be submitted through Turnitin.

FEATURE WRITING Assessment 1 (L/O 1) Write a features proposal for four of the following publications: Daily broadsheet newspaper Sunday newspaper Business-to-business magazine Travel magazine Online specialist publication Each proposal should detail appropriate contacts and research that would need to be undertaken. It should include a commentary on the suitability of the piece for the specific market. (Total word count: c1,000 words) (30% of total marks)

FEATURE WRITING ASSESSMENT 2 (L/O 2, 3 &4) Produce a portfolio of features stories. The portfolio should comprise at least three pieces of work totalling 3,000 words. The portfolio should include a range of feature types and there should not be more than one review piece. With each piece submitted provide a short commentary that explains for which publication each piece is being written, details of contacts and research undertaken and a copy of questions asked. (The commentaries should account for no more than 500 words of the total 3,000 words.) All pieces should contain interviews (with the exception of reviews), therefore, shorthand notes and/or other notes taken in interviews must be provided. (70% of total marks)

FEATURE WRITING Pass Criteria Minimum of 40% of overall marks available with a minimum of 30% in each component of the assessment for a module. Resits/Attempts Students will have a maximum of three attempts in each module.

FEATURE WRITING Late Submissions Coursework submitted after the due date without good cause as determined by the Module Co- ordinator will be penalised by the reduction of 10 percentage points from the mark awarded provided that the work is submitted within one calendar week of the due date. Thereafter work will receive a mark of zero.

FEATURE WRITING Formative work These are ongoing assessments that do not attract marks but do provide an opportunity for you to practice and improve your work and for you to improve your work. The goal is that these pieces of work will mean that you learn from mistakes, identify what you need to do better – and celebrate what you do well! They will help you to do better in the module overall!

FEATURE WRITING Formative work There will be at least 3 pieces of formative work: A feature on a local tourist attraction (week 3) Interview/press conference based feature (week 7) Review (week 9)* (* - could be subject to change but you will be given ample notice!)