Jour277 Public Affairs Reporting 

"Good writers abound - be a good reporter" - Mel Mencher

Professor Tony Rogers

Office: Rollins 125/Phone: 968-8165/E-mail: bucksjournalism@gmail.com

Course objective: To learn how to cover the basic beats of daily journalism.

BOOKS AND MATERIALS:

NewsReporting and Writing, by Melvin Mencher

The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual

VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

COURSE OUTLINE AND FORMAT

THIRTEEN-WEEK SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS FOR ONLINE COURSE

WHAT IS ENTERPRISE REPORTING?

Five Ideas for Enterprise Stories You Can Do in Your Hometown 

Finding and Developing Ideas for News Stories and Articles

HOW TO COVER A BEAT

WRITING: You're required to write four articles this semester from the following beats:

THE BEATS

COPS

MENCHER LECTURE

COVERING THE COPS

COURTS

MENCHER LECTURE

THE STRUCTURE OF THE COURTS

REPORTING ON THE COURTS

WRITING COURT STORIES

FRONTLINE: REAL JUSTICE

REAL JUSTICE STATS

TOWN GOVERNMENT

COVERING MEETINGS

CITY COUNCIL NEWSWRITING EXERCISE

SCHOOL BOARD/EDUCATION

OTHER LINKS

JOUR277 LINKS FOR VARIOUS BEATS

COP LECTURE

COURT LECTURE

LIBEL LAW

INTERACTIVE CITY COUNCIL EXERCISE

NEWSWRITING ON DEADLINE

NEWSWRITING EXERCISES

AP STYLE QUIZ 1

AP STYLE QUIZ 2

AP STYLE QUIZ 3

AP STYLE QUIZ 4

FRONTLINE: REAL JUSTICE

REAL JUSTICE STATS

ABSENCES: Every UNEXCUSED absence drops you a letter grade. If you have to miss class and have a legit excuse, let me know. And if you miss class, it's up to YOU to find out what assignments you missed.

LATE WORK: Deadlines are crucial. Unexcused late work will be dropped a letter grade.

PLAGIARISM POLICY

QUIZZES: There will be regular quizzes on the assigned readings and a weekly news quiz, so read at least one newspaper daily - if possible The Philadelphia Inquirer or New York Times - or scan the AP wire. Check the Virtual Newsroom for tons of news websites.

EXTRA CREDIT: You earn extra credit by writing as much as possible for the Centurion or some other local publication.

MENTORING: You earn extra credit by spending a shift with a reporter or editor at the Bucks County Courier Times. See me if you want to do this.

GRADES: Your final grade will be based on writing assignments, quizzes, class participation and extra credit work. Writing assignments count the most.

BLOGS

All students will create their own blog or website that they will use to archive the articles they produce. Students will also create an online resume on their website or blog. Each student's website will be evaluated at the end of the semester as part of his/her final grade.

Use Blogger to Create An Online Clip Portfolio

Online portfolio example

Promote Yourself and Your Work Online

More Reporters Are Creating Their Own Websites

Some Cheap and Easy Ways to Establish Your Presence Online