Creative Writing Course

Making the News

Session One

First Hour: Introduction to Newspapers
Our first class will introduce students to a range of newspapers, with a brief exploration of their history and contemporary use. From here, students will be encouraged to consider what the theme of their paper will be for the coming weeks.

Second Hour: Headline act
Following our introduction to Newspapers, we will look to the value of creating headlines for articles, and the use of a range of literary techniques from puns to word play. Through encouraging students to consider the importance of the headline, it will be possible to transfer this throughout their academic word.

Session Two

First Hour: Newsworthy
Our second session will consider what newspapers ought to report on, and how they might do so. Students will be advised to prepare a subject for this lesson, which they will then present to the class. Ultimately, this session hopes to answer the question – what makes the news?

Second Hour: A real scoop
In our second half of the second session, we will focus on the heart of a newspaper – the writing of a scoop. Generally understood to be a piece of novel news, students will be encouraged to think of their own, based either in fact or fiction, and will be the most prominent story in the student’s newspaper.

Session Three

First Hour: Fake news
The midpoint of our course offers the perfect opportunity to discuss fake news in all its forms. As conveying information becomes faster and easier, it is crucial for students to consider the importance of fact checking in their work.

Second Hour: The five Ws
Following on from our work on fake news, students will be encouraged to consider what information ought to be included in their own paper. We will use this session to structure our further pieces, and to conclude our scoop writing.

Session Four

Hour One: Op-Eds
The fourth session will look to Op-Eds, with students encouraged to take an opportunity to vary the tone of their writing. With various examples to compare their work to, students will be given an opportunity to write their own on a subject of their choosing.

Hour Two: Any advice
Advice columns offer a crucial part of newspapers, and as such, students will be asked to write a column of guidance on an issue. Through viewing the news as a more social entity, it will be possible to ask students to consider how to engage with a different style of writing.

Session Five

Hour one: In review
Our final session will begin by asking students to review something of their choosing. From the last book they read to a television show they enjoyed, students will be able to engage with the idea of interpreting and commenting on the cultural domain.

Hour Two: Final edit
Our final hour will look to the importance of editing, reflecting on the work we have accomplished in the weeks previous. A technique that is essential to any writer, students will be encouraged to self-edit and up-level their work, culminating in the presentation of a newspaper front page.

Detailed feedback: An end of course report is sent on completion detailing the student’s achievements and areas for further work.