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At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Participate in editorial planning meetings and discuss libel and ethical issues as they apply to
magazine production may also hold leadership role.
2. Articulate elements of magazine design, headline and cutline writing, photo selection and
page layout, both online and in print.
3. Demonstrate ability to help with tasks associated with online magazine production, such as
copyediting, headline and cutline writing, photo editing, design, layout, website uploading
and social media marketing.
4. Develop story ideas and create content for at least three types of magazine articles, with at
least one in-depth, feature-length piece. Content can include writing, photography, design
or multimedia.
5. Edit stories for content, style, grammar and punctuation.
6. Discover and refine their own journalistic style and advance their writing, editing and
multimedia skills.
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I. The Magazine Industry and Jobs
A. National vs. regional, general interest vs. specialty, indie vs. mainstream, online vs. print
B. Audience/readership studies
C. Success/failures
D. Evolving media culture/industry outlook
E. Internships and career opportunities
II. Magazine Production Overview - Print and Online
A. What goes where in a print magazine
1. Whole-issue pacing
2. Up-fronts, sections and feature well
B. Editorial philosophy development
C. Goals and standards
D. Self-publishing online (SRJC magazine)
E. Teamwork and roles
F. Online presence management
G. Strategies for effective leadership
III. Libel and Ethics in Magazine Journalism
IV. Content Development and Creation
A. Brainstorming article ideas*
B. Story pitch writing*
C. Query letter writing and submission guidelines*
D. Art, photography and design planning and production*
E. Research and source development*
F. Interviewing practice*
G. Lead and nut graph writing*
H. Story structure practice (news, features, profile, personal experience)*
V. Story Article Types and Storytelling
A. Short articles, such as listicles, how-to, local travel or localized news
B. Feature Stories
1. Organizing material
2. Story structures
3. Leads and nut graphs
4. Feature types (such as public interest, service journalism, investigative, lifestyle etc.)
C. Profiles
1. Interviewing for profiles
2. Details and observation
3. Profile structure
D. Personal Experience Articles
1. Columns and commentary
2. Reviews and criticism
3. Personal essays with reader focus
E. Storytelling techniques
1. Story arcs - Freytag's Pyramid
2. Conflict, complication, resolution
3. Story tropes
VI. The Editing Process
A. Fact checking and content editing*
B. Copy editing (grammar, punctuation and house style)*
C. Developmental editing (clarity, conciseness, voice, tone)*
D. Constructive critiquing
E. Writing headlines, decks and captions*
VII. Visual Storytelling
A. Story packaging: matching package to idea and packaging stories and art
B. Sidebars, pull quotes, captions
C. Photo taking, editing and selection*
D. Finding or creating art and/or graphics*
E. Storytelling through written, visual, audio, video or other multimedia formats
VIII. Social Media Marketing Techniques and Strategies
IX. The Business Side of the Publication
A. Advertising and sales
B. Distribution (online and print)
*Lab only
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Lecture-Related Assignments:
1. At least one exam
Lab-Related Assignments:
1. Advanced participation in the production of an online or print student magazine, which typically involves a blend of reporting, writing, editing, photography, design and possibly multimedia
Lab- and Lecture- Assignments:
1. Develop story ideas and create content for at least three types of magazine articles, with at
least one in-depth feature. Content can include writing, photography, design or multimedia
2. Create a portfolio of published content
3. Five to twelve short assignments to build magazine production skills that may include:
A. Magazine mock-ups and/or build-your-own magazine
B. Writing exercises
C. Interviewing practice
D. Finding sources
E. Writing queries
F. Writing leads and nut graphs
G. Editing exercises
H. Critiquing articles
I. Social media marketing research
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Instructor-prepared materials.
The Best American Magazine Writing. Holt, Sid. Columbia University Press. 2018
Magazine Writing. Benson, Christopher and Whitaker, Charles. Routledge. 2014 (classic)
Feature and Magazine Writing. 3rd ed. Sumner, David and Miller, Holly. Wiley-Blackwell. 2013 (classic)
The Art of Making Magazines: On Being an Editor and Other Views from the Industry. Navasky, Victor and Cornog, Evan. Columbia University Press. 2012 (classic)