| |
InterpretiveWriting |
The Bulletin describes Interpretive Writing (CMMN A352) incompletely: "Types of interpretive journalism will be discussed, including editorials, columns, art reviews, etc." The "etc." involves much more, as you will see below. The core of the course is directed practice in writing the various forms of interpretive journalism.
READING
No textbook is required. Instead, you are to read and analyze the forms of interpretive journalism you find in a variety of publications. You must find examples of the form of interpretive writing that is the topic for the week's work, bring the examples to class and be prepared to provide an analysis of the examples.
Among publications you ought to be reading regularly for interpretive stories, editorials, columns and op ed pieces are: The New York Times; Wall Street Journal; and The Times-Picayune. The New Yorker has excellent interpretive stories and profiles. We will also use it as a model for "Talk of the Town" sketches and humorous back-of-the-book essays. Fine back-of-the-book essays are to be found, also, in Smithsonian and Civilization. Harper's and Atlantic are good sources of interpretive work, as are The New Republic, National Review, The Nation, and America.
PBS stations (WYES, Ch. 12, and WLAE, Ch. 32 [Cox Cable 14] )carry occasional documentary programs such as "Frontline" and "P.O.V."; television commentary can be heard on "The News Hour" on WLAE and at the end of evening news broadcasts on WWL-TV. Listen to "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" on WWNO-FM (89.9) for radio interpretive stories and commentary.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Journalists and critics who do interpretive writing will be invited to class to discuss their work with you. You will be expected to be familiar with what they have done so that you can participate in the discussion. Assignments will be made in advance.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
The heart of the course is the writing. Each Tuesday, you are to turn in an idea for a story or comment. We will discuss the ideas in class and refine them. You will submit a written piece based on the idea on Thursday of the following week. That should be about 500 words and in the form being considered that week. You can anticipate reading your work in class and having it criticized by other students as well as by the professor. You should also be ready to take part in the critiques of work by your fellow students.
In addition to the weekly assignments, you are to write a 1,500 to 2,000 word analytical profile of an individual about whom you think the Loyola community would be interested in knowing more. We will discuss possible subjects in class. The profile will be due at the end of the course.
Your work should be as polished when you hand it in as if you were submitting it for publication. It must be accurate in all respects. It should demonstrate your appreciation for, and certain mastery of, style. It should be mechanically correct, with no errors of grammar, spelling or punctuation.
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
You are expected to attend class, and arrive on time; the class begins promptly at 2 p.m.
Beyond showing up, you will be expected to take part intelligently in discussions and critiques.
If you are not in class when the roll is called, you will be considered absent. If you accrue five absences, you will fail the course.
GRADING
The grades you receive on your weekly assignments will comprise 65% of your grade; the feature story, 20%; and participation 15%. Provisions of the "Integrity of Scholarship and Grades" section of the Undergraduate Bulletin will apply (pp. 45-46, 1997-99 Undergraduate Bulletin ).
Back to Courses
