This module provides knowledge, understanding and experience of writing about sport in the challenging and changing era of the cross-media industry.

You will analyse different styles, tone and context across the range of media outlets.

This module is a core module for Sports Journalism students and will reinforce work carried out in the first year. It will build upon existing knowledge giving a wider range of sports writing in a complex and varied field.

Whether you intend to become a member of staff in a media organisation or a freelance sports journalist this module will give you a ‘nuts and bolts’ flavour of writing in the cross media market, paying specific attention to the field of sports reporting.

11 x lectures (1 hour) = 11 hours and 11 x workshops (1 hour) = 11 hours. Total contact time 22 hours.
To introduce key concepts and information illustrated by exemplary journalistic texts.
To facilitate group discussion of journalism content and awareness of professional issues

Independent learning = 128 hours
Developing content production skills in negotiation with independent learning using theoretical texts and exemplary material.

Practical exercises will be set during the module. Some of these exercises will be marked exercises, and therefore will count towards your final work. They are also extremely important as a means of assessing individual students’ progress and capability and will also offer students vital and unique first-hand experience of practising the skills discussed in lectures and gaining, where necessary, feedback.

Key Information Set Data:
14% Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities
86% Guided Independent Learning

Library resources
PowerPoint
Audio / video playback facilities
Current newspapers, magazines and radio, web and TV output

Adams, Sally (2009) Interviewing for Journalists (2nd edit), Routledge
Andrews, Phil (2014) Sports Journalism: A Practical Guide, (2nd edit) Sage
Boyle, Raymond (2006) Sports Journalism Context and Issues, Sage
Frost, Chris (2007) Journalism Ethics and Regulation (2nd edit.) London, Pearson
Knight, M & Cook, C., (2013) Social Media for Journalists, Sage
Marsh, David (2013) For Who The Bell Tolls, Guardian Faber
Steen, Rob (2008) Sports Journalism, A Multimedia Primer, Routledge

1. DEMONSTRATE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF DIFFERENT MARKETS AND AUDIENCES. [Learning]

2. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF SEGMENTED READERSHIPS AND UNDERSTAND HOW TO APPEAL TO THEM [Knowledge & Understanding]

3. EVALUATE THE PANORAMA OF MATERIAL AND MATCH CONTENT TO APPROPRIATE STYLES AND MODES OF EXPOSITION [Analysis]

4. EFFECTIVELY MATCH READER EXPECTATIONS, NEEDS AND DEMANDS IN A FRAGMENTED MARKET [Communication]

5. ABSORB AND APPLY PRACTICAL SKILLS AND THEORETICAL POSITIONS TO HONE CONTENT [Application]

A programme of continuous assessment:
1. In-class running match report (25%)
2. Reports from press conference (25%)
3. Submission of published work (50%)

(Learning outcomes 1-5)

Key Information Set Data:
100% Coursework

Learn to write like a pro in this module. You will visit a football club press conference and interview players. You will hone your writing skills for newspapers and websites, covering football matches and other sporting events in the style of Cover It Live. You will be encouraged to get your work published – the first step towards becoming a professional sports journalist.