Exploring Journalist Writing and Literary Journalism - Detailseite

This seminar will introduce American Studies students to various forms of journalistic writing (e.g. press release, brief news report, opinion piece, blog, profile, brief feature). It will then focus on literary journalism as a creative form of writing emerging from the 1960s New Journalism to today’s feature journalism as published, e.g. by The New York Times, The Washington Post and The New Yorker.

Students will develop their own writing skills in short exercises and by writing a piece of their own, e.g. a blog post, a literary critique, a longer interview, a script or a news piece related to American Studies. A creative approach is encouraged. Students lead discussions and provide feedback to their peers. They actively engage in skill and C.V. building.

Class time will be spent on discussing professional articles, developing and researching themes, drafting short writing samples, reviewing student drafts and engaging in peer critique to develop writing and editing skills. We will also welcome a few guest speakers.

Requirements

1. A text (see above; ab. 800 words): Each student will select a topic of their interest within the wider framework of their studies and go through several drafts, revisions or project proposals.
2. An informal presentation on work-in-progress (10 mins. plus discussion) : Each student will deliver a brief presentation on their choice of topic, research and draft for their text.
3. Regular and active attendance.