Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Journalistic Writing I: News and Chronicles
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Introduction
The main goal is to improve the student journalistic skills in writing informative and interpretative texts. In order to reach this point, students will know the main characteristics of the journalistic genres, the main types of sources and the verification of information, as well as the basic elements and processes involved in the construction of stories. At the end of the learning process, students must be able to produce journalistic products with a high level of professionalism ready to be published.
Pre-course requirements
No.
Objectives
- To understand the characteristics and functions of the main journalistic genres.
- To master basic writing techniques and journalistic style.
- To identify, select and cross-check reliable sources of information.
- To develop the ability to produce clear, accurate and engaging journalistic texts suited to different media and audiences.
- To apply ethical and fact-checking principles when producing journalistic content.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN01 - Recognise contemporary social and media realities, contextualise historical events, and identify newsworthy issues at local, national and international levels.
- CN02 - Identify the various stakeholders in contemporary journalism, their roles and the operational dynamics of a digital and globalised environment.
- CN05 - Define concepts and specialised journalistic terminology in English.
- CN06 - Recognise the principal artificial intelligence tools with applications in journalism.
- CP01 - Work effectively in professional journalism teams, adapting to multidisciplinary and changing environments.
- CP02 - Apply professional ethical principles and standards of academic rigour in journalism, recognising the current legal and ethical framework and respecting the fundamental right to equality between women and men, promoting human rights, a culture of peace and democratic values, including the use of inclusive, non-discriminatory and stereotype-free language.
- CP03 - Analyse audiences within the digital media ecosystem in order to develop content for diverse audiences.
- CP05 - Critically analyse national and international journalism in order to assess its influence on public opinion and current affairs.
- CP06 - Produce innovative, multi-platform journalistic content using narrative techniques and approaches specific to each medium and format.
- CP07 - Create innovative multimedia products by integrating graphic design, emerging technologies and elements of digital culture to communicate information in an engaging and accessible way across all devices.
- HB01 - Interpret relevant data obtained from a variety of sources.
- HB02 - Present and defend journalistic projects orally and in writing in Catalan, Spanish and English.
- HB03 - Transform information into engaging and aesthetically effective messages.
- HB04 - Use a range of media research and documentation resources.
- HB05 - Distinguish between information, opinion and manipulation, applying verification and source-checking techniques to debunk misinformation and identify content generated by artificial intelligence.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Students will be able to:
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To develop creativity in order to devise innovative journalistic products.
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To communicate information and original ideas persuasively, both orally and in writing.
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To identify different journalistic genres and formats, applying the appropriate linguistic style in each case and developing an individual expressive style.
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To master verbal and body language in front of a camera, an audience or a public gathering, applying professional presentation techniques to make an impact through their communication style.
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To recognise the functions and style of journalistic language.
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To devise concise and persuasive headlines that summarise content and provide greater depth on the subject matter.
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To develop skills in writing texts on any subject within a professional newsroom, using different forms of language, an individual expressive style and an independent point of view.
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To master verbal and non-verbal communication techniques in live broadcasts, managing unforeseen situations and collaborating effectively with the production team, capturing the audience’s attention and ensuring clarity of information.
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To apply different advertising formats across various media, developing copywriting skills for the creation of persuasive texts, evaluating the appropriate advertising approach according to the client and product, and ensuring clarity, creativity and ethical standards in the development of advertising campaigns.
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To master presentation techniques and the use of the voice, employing sound resources effectively, structuring and presenting radio programmes across different genres, and applying a clear and dynamic style adapted to the medium, while reflecting on the impact of radio language on the audience.
Syllabus
- The informative text.
- Journalistic Style.
- Journalistic Sources.
- The news: definition and characteristics.
- The chronicle: definition and characteristics.
Bibliography and resources
- FundéuRAE. (s. f.). FundéuRAE: Fundación del Español Urgente. https://www.fundeu.es/
- Institut d’Estudis Catalans. (s. f.). Optimot: Consultes lingüístiques. https://aplicacions.llengua.gencat.cat/llc/AppJava/index.html
- TERMCAT. (s. f.). Centre de Terminologia. https://www.termcat.cat/
- UNESCO. (s. f.). Journalism, press freedom and journalists’ safety. https://www.unesco.org/