• help students improve their writing
  
  
• introduce students to the conventions, customs, and forms of writing for the mass media
  
  
• impress upon students that writing is important professionally and that it is a high-level intellectual activity.
  
  

The course is divided into two parts. The first part, which covers the first three to four weeks, is devoted to the study and practice of good writing, especially as it is done in a media in environment. We cover topics such as using words precisely and efficiently, writing with clarity, the importance of style rules, the standard rules of grammar and punctuation -- all of which are important to writing well, no matter what the medium.

The second part of the course introduces students to the various forms of writing for different mass media. Students learn how to structure a news story for print, the web and broadcast. They learn the basics of advertising copy writing, and they are introduced to some of the forms of writing for public relations, such as news releases, speeches and statements and letter writing.

Students also learn about the ethical and legal dimensions of writing for the mass media.

The expanded schedule will give you a detailed look at what we do in MC102.

GSPD exam

Students must pass the College's Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation and Diction exam before receiving a grade in MC102. The exam will be offered four times during the semester. Students who do not pass the exam will be given a grade of Incomplete. This web site contains a GSPD Study Guide, which you can view or download.

Syllabus

The syllabus sets out the basic requirements, textbooks, attendance policies and grading procedures. It also outlines the University's academic misconduct policies and provides a general schedule for the course. You may also want to view an expanded schedule for the course.

Course structure

The course has both a lecture and a laboratory section. The lecture section meets once a week on Monday morning. Each student has a lab section that meets for two hours twice a week.

Lab instructors

A graduate student is in charge of each writing lab section. These assistants give lectures, lead discussions and do most of the grading of the students’ writing assignments.


Texts

The main text for the course is Writing for the Mass Media (fourth edition) by James Glen Stovall. Students are also required to have the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual and the Writing for Mass Media Handbook.