This module is designed to introduce all journalism students to the basics of reporting in the current digitally-driven industry. Students will learn how to evaluate newsworthiness of story and content ideas, and how to employ both traditional and modern skills and techniques to gather information and content necessary to publish to a wider audience. It will provide them with knowledge to understand what makes something publishable and the basic skills to carry out and use interviews. It also teaches students how to adapt and enhance stories across a range of platforms - online, print and broadcast. They will also be taught the importance to a reporter of developing credible contacts and of accuracy and objectivity, as well as developing traditional content gathering techniques and using technology and social media effectively as a journalist, including the importance and emergence of mobile journalism. They will also learn fundamental digital skills such as effective blogging, basic html, Wordpress, SEO, Social Media, and content embedding. They will also enhance and develop their knowledge of practical ethical issues which impact on journalists and their role and issues surrounding diversity not only in the industry but in sport in general.

Assessment 1 to 4 inclusive = Learning Outcomes 1-5

Story Pitch and Interview 30%

1. Submit a story plan 400 words (LO 2, 3)

2. In-class interview 600 words (LO 1)

Equal weighting

Story Portfolio 60%

3. Produce news story/photo story 600 words (LO 3, 4)

4. Produce radio package on story relating to diversity (e.g. minorities/womens’ sport) 60-90 seconds (LO 5)

Equal Weighting



Reflection 10%

5. Reflect on your process, practice and influences 200 words (LO 4)



Employability

All assessments are the sort of daily activities required in many roles in the sports journalism industry, across all media platforms. All are authentic assessments.

Assessments 1 and 3 also test students’ ability to function in a modern media workplace



Diversity

Assessment 3 will require the student to produce a radio package, either on women’s sport or an issue surrounding diversity in sport



Reflection

Assessment 3 incorporates reflective evaluation

Lectures will outline in basic terms the key principles of the role of a journalist, and outline the fundamental skills and knowledge required, which will be discussed and developed in more detail in following workshops.
Practice-based workshops in which students learn through trying the basic techniques of content evaluation, gathering techniques, research etc. Workshops will cover a range of aspects, including sources and contacts; interviewing skills; content newsworthiness to particular audiences; using social media as a multi-function tool, editing and using still images; Wordpress skills; recording/editing audio and video; mobile journalism; organisational skills; ethical awareness, research etc.
In guided independent study, students will identify and research original story ideas, interviewing and collating information, editing and writing content, preparing content for online publication on and/or other suitable publishing/broadcasting outlets, and developing/using professional social media channels.

1. Understand how to conduct an interview for print/online/broadcast and accurately edit that material for publication

2. Assess what makes something newsworthy and know how to use that awareness to produce content that is interesting, entertaining and informative

3. Appropriately respond to a brief from a news/sports desk or other line manager

4. Analyse and reflect on the value of a story and the sources and techniques used to convert raw copy into consumer-friendly content

5. produce audio suitable for radio/podcast

Newsroom facilities, including audio editing software

Blackboard

Adams, Sally and Lee-Potter, Emma (2017) Interviewing for Journalists, Routledge.

Andrews, P. (2013) Sports Journalism – A Practical Introduction, Sage.

Boyle, Raymond (2006) Sports Journalism – Context and Issues, Sage.

Boyle, Raymond (2020) Changing Sports Journalism Practice in the Age of Digital, Routledge

Bradshaw, Paul and Rohumaa, Liisa (2011) The Online Journalism Handbook, Pearson.

Bradshaw, Tom and Minogue, Daragh (2019) Sports Journalism – The State of Play, Routledge.

Bull A. (2016) Multimedia Journalism – A Practical Guide, Routledge.
Evans, H. (2000) Essential English for Journalists, Pimlico.

Frost, C. (2010) Reporting for Journalists, Routledge.
Harcup, T. (2021) Journalism Principles and Practice, Sage.
Hennessy, B. (2006) Writing Feature Articles (4th edition), Focal Press.
Hicks, W. (2013) English for Journalists, Routledge.

Marsh, David. (2013) For Who the Bell Tolls, Guardian Faber Publishing.
Pape, Susan, Featherstone, Sue (2006) Feature Writing: A Practical Introduction London, Sage.
Phillips, A. (2007) Good Writing for Journalists, Sage.
Rudin, R. and Ibbotson, T. (2002) An Introduction to Journalism, Focal Press.
Sissons, Helen, (2007) Practical Journalism: How to Write News, London, Sage.

Steen, R. (2013) Sports Journalism, A Multimedia Primer, Routledge.

Swaine, M; Gilbert, H. and Allen G. (2022) Writing for Journalists, Routledge

Toney, J. (2013) Sports Journalism – The Inside Track, Bloomsbury.

Truss, Lynne (2009) Eats, Shoots and Leaves, Fourth Estate

In this module you will learn the fundamentals of sports journalism techniques but also newer concepts, such as mobile journalism using your phone, and also the growing importance of data analytics. You will receive guidance from top practitioners in the world of sport and sports PR.