News Writing

Undergraduate

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
JOUR 1004
Course ID icon
Course ID
201207
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus West, Magill
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Comm, Media and Jour
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Meredith Booth
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
Discipline group A
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course introduces students to foundational principles of news writing, and their application across media platforms. It aims to provide students with foundational skills in news writing that meet existing and future industry standards and are applicable across a range of technologies and platforms. The course will introduce students to news language and news values, news writing practices and styles, a range of news writing skills and will test their applied knowledge through class and online activities and assignments.

  • News Writing Fundamentals
  • Developing Journalism Skills
  • News Writing Specialisations

Course learning outcomes

  • Understand the nature of effective news writing and its role in journalism
  • Understand and apply principles of news language and news story structure
  • Be able to apply best-practice news writing conventions in a timely manner and across a range of platforms
  • Understand and apply sensitive and appropriate language in a range of news stories
  • Demonstrate professionalism in news story writing
  • Analyse and synthesise information from a range of sources

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • Must not have completed COMM1064 at the University of South Australia

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

N/A

Assessment

  • Assignment – 30%
  • Assignment – 35%
  • Assignment – 35%
  • Short Response Questions – 0%

Availability

Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 05/03/2027
Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 26/03/2027
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 09/04/2027
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 07/05/2027

Class details

Magill

Group 1

Class number
Class number 27333
Section
Section FR01
Size
Size 40
Available
Available 36
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
22 Feb - 12 Apr Monday 10:10am - 11am Magill Building C, C1-60
3 May - 24 May Monday 10:10am - 11am Magill Building C, C1-60
Class number
Class number 27334
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 19
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 May - 26 May Wednesday 12:10pm - 2pm Magill Building C, C2-43
24 Feb - 14 Apr Wednesday 12:10pm - 2pm Magill Building C, C2-43
Class number
Class number 27335
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 17
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
22 Feb - 12 Apr Monday 11:10am - 1pm Magill Building C, C2-41
3 May - 24 May Monday 11:10am - 1pm Magill Building C, C2-41

Adelaide City Campus West

Group 1

Class number
Class number 27331
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 14
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS5-11
4 May - 25 May Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS5-11
Class number
Class number 27332
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 15
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS5-11
4 May - 25 May Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS5-11
Class number
Class number 27340
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 18
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS5-11
4 May - 25 May Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS5-11
Class number
Class number 27330
Section
Section FR01
Size
Size 60
Available
Available 47
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
22 Feb - 12 Apr Monday 10:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Building C, C1-60
3 May - 24 May Monday 10:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus West Building C, C1-60

Fee calculator

To display course fees for 2027, select your status and program below:

Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

If you are studying in a Professional Pathway Psychology, Clinical Psychology or Social Work program, please refer to the Student Contributions amounts published here.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.

Degree list
The following degrees include this course
Bachelor of Journalism
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Journalism