Writing Intensive Course Designs
Communication Arts

Introduction to Journalism & Public Relations
Developed by Jennifer Cox

This course introduces communication arts majors and minors to journalistic public relations writing. Students learn how to write in proper media format (AP style) and practice by writing and reporting several news articles throughout the semester. Students also have the opportunity to learn public relations skills by writing press releases and designing media kits for on-campus organizations. They also learn a bit about communicating on the web with blogging.

One of the main objectives of the class is to familiarize students with AP style – a form of writing used universally in journalism and public relations in the U.S. The AP Stylebook dictates how certain words or phrases should be written to homogenize writing in these fields.

Students practice this style of writing by taking four pop quizzes throughout the semester. They are also graded on AP style in all of their writing assignments, suffering a 5-point deduction for each style error.

The class is a prerequisite to an upper-level writing course, Writing for the Professions. For that class, students are expected to have mastered the basics of journalism and public relations writing and will be asked to elevate their writing and reporting to the next level. Following the completion of this course, students have the option to take various other writing/reporting courses, such as Public Affairs Reporting and Environmental or Sports Communication.

Formal Writing Assignments
Reported Feature Story
Response Plan
Grading Rubric

Hard News Story
Response Plan
Grading Rubric

Informal Writing Assignment
News Critique
Website Critique