The texts required for MC102 are:

James Glen Stovall, Writing for the Mass Media (fifth edition), Allyn and Bacon, 2002.;

The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual;

Handbook for Writing for the Mass Media

The handbook contains additional content and exercise materials, plus material about the course itself. For instance, it has an outline of all of the weekly lectures designed to enhance their note-taking during the lecture.

Writing for the Mass Media (fifth edition)

The following is the publisher's note for the new edition of Writing for the Mass Media.

First published in 1984, Writing for the Mass Media features a simple organization, clear writing, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give students the information and opportunity to develop their skills as professional writers. It introduces and explains the major forms of media writing — inverted pyramid for print and Web, dramatic unity for broadcast, copy platforms for advertising, and the various writing structures required for public relations — and covers all major areas of media, including the World Wide Web.

Writing for the Mass Media was the first college text that introduced students to all of the major forms of writing for the mass media. It also discussed the commonalities of media writing and the aspects of good writing that all students should know. The book is now in its fifth edition and has been used at more than 200 colleges and universities since its inception.

The current edition contains a new chapter on writing for the World Wide Web and details many of the sub-structures — such as labels, headlines, introductions, and summaries — and discusses the implications of writing in a linking and hypertext environment. There are also brief essays on writing by professionals that give students insight into the requirements of the professional environment.

The book also emphasizes becoming a professional writer and helps prepare students more effectively for their future careers.

Table Of Contents

Most chapters conclude with “Points for Consideration and Discussion,” “Further Readings,” “Conclusion,” and “Exercises.”

Preface.

1. Sit Down and Write.
What Is Good Writing?
Getting Ready to Write.
Techniques for Good Writing.
Writing for the Mass Media.
Becoming a Professional.
Text and images.
And Finally...

2. Basic Tools of Writing.
Grammar.
Punctuation.
Spelling.
Computer Aids.
Words, Words, Words.
Writing with Clarity.

3. Style and Stylebook.
Accuracy.
Clarity.
Brevity.
Journalistic Conventions.
Journalistic Style.
Stylebooks.
The Associated Press Stylebook.
Language Sensitivity.

4. Writing in the Media Environment.
News culture.
News Values.
Gathering the News: Five Ws and One H.
Personal Sources.
Interviewing.
Observation.
Stored Sources of Information.
The Importance of Accuracy.
Deadlines.
Ethical Considerations.
Writing by Example.

5. Writing for Print.
Characteristics of News Stories.
The Inverted Pyramid.
The Lead Paragraph.
Developing the Story.
Using Quotations.
Other Story Structures.
Editing and Rewriting.
Feature Styles.
Parts of a Feature Story.
Thinking Graphically.
Information for Graphics.
Forms of Graphic Presentation.
Challenge of Writing.

6. Writing for the Web.
The Audience.
Creating Content.
Concision.
Thinking Laterally.
E-mail.
Wanted for the Web: Writers and Editors.

7. Writing for Broadcast.
Selection of News.
Characteristics of Writing.
Story Structure.
Broadcast Writing Style.
Broadcast Copy Preparation.
Putting Together a Newscast.

8. Writing Advertising Copy.
A Love-Hate Relationship.
The Field of Advertising.
Beginning the Process: Needs and Appeals.
The Audience.
The Product.
The Advertising Situation.
Copy Platforms.
Writing the Ad.
Elements of a Print Ad.
Writing Advertising for Broadcast.
Other Media.

9. Writing for Public Relations.
The Work of the PR Practitioner.
Characteristics of the PR Practitioner.
Writing News Releases.
Letters.
Company Publications.
Oral Presentations.

10. Writers and the Law.
The First Amendment.
Defamation.
The Plaintiff's Case.
Affirmative Defenses.
Privacy.
Copyright.
Trademark.
Advertising.
Broadcast Regulation.

Appendix A. Copy-Editing Symbols.

Appendix B. Grammar and Diagnostic Exams.

Appendix C. Problem Words and Phrases.

Appendix D. Advertising Copy Sheets.

Index.