This document provides information about a media writing course taught by Professor Ben Bogardus at Quinnipiac University in the fall of 2015. It includes the professor's contact information, office hours, an overview of the course objectives and expectations, required textbooks, grading criteria, and policies regarding attendance, plagiarism, and assignments. Students are asked to write a short news story about a water main break for an in-class assignment and prepare for the next class by reading a textbook chapter and bringing their stylebooks.

1. Prof. Ben Bogardus
Fall 2015

2. Prof. Ben Bogardus
Office: LL 211
ben.bogardus@quinnipiac.edu
Phone: 203-582-3417
Office Hours:
 Mondays: 10-11 a.m.
 Wednesdays: 2-3
p.m.
 Thursdays: 11-Noon
 By appointment

4. Name
Year and Hometown
Major or Area of Interest
Favorite trip / vacation / day /
this summer

5. What is media writing?
Storytelling meant to inform,
persuade, or entertain. It’s
delivered via print, online, or
audio/video.

6. How is media writing different from prose or
academic writing?
 Short, simple sentences
 Small, common, conversational words
 Stories with structure (i.e. inverted pyramid and AP
style) to get the point across ASAP.
 There are no hidden meanings or symbolism.

7. Course Objectives:
 Be familiar with AP style rules of grammar, spelling, punctuation
and word usage
 Be able to write clear, accurate, and concise stories
 Write stories with a deliberate and logical structure
 Write stories that answer the “so what?” factor
 Gather and use direct and indirect quotes effectively
 Recognize the differences between print journalism, broadcast
journalism, online journalism, public relations, and film writing styles
 Understand the basics of legal and ethical issues, as they apply to
the media

8. Textbooks and Readings
Reaching Audiences (6th edition) by Yopp
and McAdams
AP Stylebook (print, online, or mobile)
Other readings as assigned

9. Grading
Writing Assignments (4): 60%
You may re-write them for a higher grade
Midterm Exam: 15%
Final Exam: 20%
Class Participation & Homeworks: 5%

10. A:Excellent work overall addressing the criteria mentioned in the
assignment. The work is publishable with few, if any, changes.
B:Good work overall addressing the criteria mentioned in the
assignment, but there are one or more issues that need to be
addressed / fixed before the work is publishable.
C:Poorly written and/ or poorly addresses the criteria mentioned in
the assignment. Needs significant revisions before the work is
publishable.
D and F:No apparent effort in writing, proofreading, or
following the criteria mentioned in the assignment.

11. Rules
 Readings and Assignments: Please complete the readings before
Monday. Assignments will be due as noted in the syllabus.
 Attendance: If you will be absent for a legitimate reason, you must
let me know before class. More than three unexcused absences
will mean a grade deduction.
 In-Class: Please turn off cell phones and store them away. Do not
have anything on your computer screen that is not directly related
to this class.
 Plagiarism: All writing must be your original work for this class.
Copying or recycling of stories (even your own from other classes)
will result in a severe grade penalty, and possibly a failing grade.

12. In-Class Assignment
Write a news story telling people about
the water main break. Total length: less
than 250 words.
Email it to:
ben.bogardus@quinnipiac.edu

13. For Wednesday:
Please read Ch. 2 in the textbook &
bring your AP Stylebooks to class