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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "DJRN 325"
COURSE NAME: "Feature Writing"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Juliana Gontijo Barbassa
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above; Recommended: DJRN 221
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course offers the student practical experience researching, writing and marketing feature articles for print and/or online magazines. The topics covered include how to develop a good idea, analyze a target audience, gather information, write a feature article, and sell the story. Ultimately this course will teach students how to successfully write longer feature stories and how to pitch them to the appropriate publication. The class time will include lectures where voice, style, use of language, and story structure techniques will be discussed. Class time will also include in-class writing and discussion.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course offers the student practical experience researching and writing feature articles. After having taken at least one course in basic newswriting, students in this class will discuss idea development, reporting and interviewing skills, article structure, and how to self-edit, line by line, to refine their writing. In addition to written assignments, students will read and critique feature articles throughout the semester and interact with practicing journalists to learn from them the tools of the trade.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this course you will be able to:
· identify a potential story
· conduct relevant research, reporting and interviews
· write and revise a long feature story
· pitch a story
· read critically
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Writing Tools | Roy Peter Clark | Little, Brown Spark | 9780316014991 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| In-class participation | | 15 |
| Daily assignments | | 50 |
| The final feature | | 30 |
| A revision of the final feature | | 5 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
In this class, you will function as journalists in a newsroom. This means you will be expected to show up on time, prepared, having done the reading and writing assignments, and ready to participate in class discussion. Grading will focus on effort, engagement, and ability to take and offer feedback constructively and respectfullyStudents are expected to attend every class, and to be on time. If you anticipate any absences, please email me 24 hours in advance.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Week 1. Introduction to the class and to feature writing
Week 2. The basic structure of a feature.
Week 3. Developing a story idea.
Week 4. Reporting Tools: Scenes and characters, part I (introduction)
Week 5. Reporting Tools: Scenes and characters, part II (techniques)
Week 6. Reporting Tools: Journalism ethics. Visiting lecturer.
Week 7. Reporting Tools: Gathering and using quotes and data. Visiting lecturer.
Week 8. Writing the Article: Leads, nut graphs and supporting quotes.
Week 9: Writing the Article: Story development. Visiting lecturer.
Week 10: Editing: Structure and content
Week 11: Editing: Wordcraft
Week 12: Final Touches: Fact-checking, photos, video.
Week 13: Final Touches: Reflecting on the reporting and writing process. Revising.
Week 14: Final Touches: Getting your articles to readers. Headlines and pitches.
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