JOUR 2602 - Media Writing
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 42628,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dorian Mermer
Email: dlmermer@ysu.edu
Course Description
2602. Media Writing. Introduction to writing for the mass media. Development of writing techniques and examination of styles and approaches used in writing for various mass audiences. Includes news stories, press releases, broadcast scripts and writing for online environments. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | The Basics of Media Writing: A Strategic Approach | Scott A. Kuehn and Andrew Lingwall | 978-1-5063-0810-4 |
| The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law | The Associated Press | 978-0-917360-73-2 |
* If you prefer, you can access The Associated Press Stylebook online. The URL is below:
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Chapter 1: You as a Writer. | Introduction to course, syllabus and schedule. Student introductions. You as a writer. | Chapter 1 Activity in class on Wednesday, 8/26. Chapter 1 Quiz in class on Friday, 8/28. |
| 8/31 | Chapter 2: Media Writing Professions and Strategies. | Professions and strategies. AP Stylebook A-C. | Chapter 2 Activity in class on Wednesday, 9/2. Chapter 2 Quiz in class on Friday, 9/4. AP Style A-C Quiz by Sunday, 9/6, 11:59 PM. |
| 9/7 | Chapter 3: Media Writing Style and Language Conventions. AP Stylebook A-C. | Media Writing Style and Language Conventions. | Chapter 3 Activity in class on Wednesday 9/9. Chapter 3 Quiz in class on Friday, 9/11. |
| 9/14 | Chapter 4: Reporting and Interviewing. | Reporting and Interviewing. AP Stylebook D-F. | Chapter 4 Activity in class on Wednesday, 9/16. Chapter 4 Quiz in class on Friday, 9/18. AP Stylebook D-F Quiz by Sunday, 9/20, 11:59 PM. |
| 9/21 | Chapter 5: Hard News and Feature Writing. AP Stylebook D-F. Project Milestone #1 – Print/Digital Story Writing. | Hard News and Feature Writing. Lead Checklist. Inverted Pyramid. Project Milestone #1 – Print/Digital Story Writing. | Chapter 5 Activity in class on Wednesday, 9/23. Chapter 5 Quiz in class on Friday, 9/25. |
| 9/28 | Chapter 6: Electronic News Writing: Radio and Television. | Electronic News Writing: Radio and Television. AP Stylebook G-J. | Chapter 6 Activity in class on Wednesday, 9/30. Chapter 6 Quiz in class on Friday, 10/2. AP Stylebook G-J Quiz by Sunday, 10/4, 11:59 PM. Project Milestone #1 – Print/Digital Story Writing by Sunday, 10/4, 11:59 PM. |
| 10/5 | Chapter 7: Copyediting. AP Stylebook G-J. | Copyediting. | Chapter 7 Activity in class on Wednesday, 10/7. Chapter 7 Quiz in class on Friday, 10/9. |
| 10/12 | Chapter 8 Media Law and Ethics. | Media Law and Ethics. AP Stylebook K-M. | Chapter 8 Activity in class on Wednesday, 10/14. Chapter 8 Quiz in class on Friday, 10/16. AP Stylebook K-M Quiz by Sunday, 10/18, 11:59 PM. |
| 10/19 | Chapter 9: Writing for Social Media. AP Stylebook K-M. Project Milestone #2: Social Media Writing. | Writing for Social Media. Project Milestone #2: Social Media Writing. | Chapter 9 Activity in class on Wednesday, 10/21. Chapter 9 Quiz in class on Friday, 10/23. |
| 10/26 | Chapter 10: Web Copywriting. | Web Copywriting. AP Stylebook N-P. | Chapter 10 Activity in class on Wednesday, 10/28. Chapter 10 Quiz in class on Friday, 10/30. AP Stylebook N-P Quiz by Sunday, 11/1, 11:59 PM. Project Milestone #2: Social Media Writing by Sunday, 11/1, 11:59 PM. |
| 11/2 | Chapter 11 Basic Persuasive Writing. AP Stylebook N-P. | Basic Persuasive Writing. | Chapter 11 Activity in class on Wednesday, 11/4. Chapter 11 Quiz in class on Friday, 11/6. |
| 11/9 | Chapter 12: Public Relations. Project Milestone #3: News Press Release Writing. | Public Relations. Project Milestone #3: News Press Release Writing. AP Stylebook Q-S. | Chapter 12 Activity in class on Wednesday, 11/11. Chapter 12 Quiz in class on Friday, 11/13. AP Stylebook Q-S Quiz by Sunday, 11/15, 11:59 PM. |
| 11/16 | Chapter 13: Advertising. AP Stylebook Q-S. | Advertising. | Chapter 13 Activity in class on Wednesday, 11/18. Chapter 13 Quiz in class on Friday, 11/20. Project Milestone #3: News Press Release Writing by Sunday, 11/22, 11:59 PM. |
| 11/23 | Chapter 14: Business Communication. Project Milestone #4: Business Letter Writing. | Business Communication. Project Milestone #4: Business Letter Writing. | |
| 11/30 | Chapter 14: Business Communication. AP Stylebook T-Z. Project Milestone #4: Business Letter Writing. | Business Communication. AP Stylebook T-Z. Project Milestone #4: Business Letter Writing. | Chapter 14 Activity in class on Wednesday, 12/2. Chapter 14 Quiz in class on Friday, 12/4. AP Stylebook T-Z Quiz by Sunday, 12/6, 11:59 PM. Project Milestone #4: Business letter Writing. by Sunday, 12/6, 11:59 PM. |
| 12/7 | Redo one Project Milestone by Monday, 12/7, 12:30 (your scheduled final exam time). |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.