In this module you will learn to interview and write to a professional standard for a variety of platforms and demonstrate your ability to write about the burgeoning area of women’s sport. You will analyse different styles, tone and context across the range of media outlets. This module is essential for Sports Journalists today 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 experience of writing in the cross-media market, paying specific attention to the field of sports reporting and issues of race, gender and equality.



Students will use assessed discussion board forums to share ideas and respond to class materials/readings.

Portfolio 90%

Women’s sport live report 400 words (LO 1, 2)

Sports interview feature 800 word equivalent (LO 1, 2)

Multi-platform reporting 250 word+1 min audio+1 min video (LO 3)

Equal weighting







Discussion Forum 10%

Minimum of 3 x 150 word discussion forum contributions



Employability

All assessments are the sort of daily activity required in many roles in the written sports journalism industry. Portfolio 1 are all authentic assessments. Shorthand, still often required by employers.



Diversity

Portfolio 1 includes women’s sport.

There will be mixed mode teaching in which the focus will be on writing industry-standard copy for appropriate target audiences. Students will develop skills learned in Level 4 and also seek to have work published by reputable outlet(s). Students will produce assessed coursework to illustrate their ability to produce content from start to finish, as well as completing timed exercises to demonstrate their ability to write copy to a required standard and within a deadline.



Shorthand: There will be regular twice-weekly workshops with a specialist shorthand teacher, combined with independent study, using Blackboard and other audio/visual study aids.

Shorthand skills will be used during practical journalism classes for note taking. Regular speed tests and homework will contribute to the learning process.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of skills and techniques to meet the requirements of different markets and audiences

2. apply practical skills to produce content on women’s sport

3. demonstrate knowledge of different platforms

Learn to write to a professional standard 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 form of live text commentary. You will be encouraged to get your work published - the first step towards becoming a professional sports journalist. You will also learn shorthand, a skill which remains important in the industry, and attempt to reach a speed of 60 words per minute.

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

Clarkson, Jean (2022). Teeline Gold Coursebook.

Blackboard

Library