Course Objectives

The objectives of the course are to:

  1. Provide a comprehensive understanding of editing principles in news media.
  2. Introduce editing symbols and proofreader's marks for effective content refinement.
  3. Develop skills in writing, editing, and proofreading news articles for publication.
  4. Teach photo editing techniques and the integration of visuals in newspaper layouts.
  5. Enhance knowledge of structuring and editing news stories for clarity, accuracy, and style.
  6. Explore the relationship between text and visuals in media publications.
  7. Equip students to edit and proofread content using industry-standard methods and tools.

 

Overall Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Trace the history of editing and graphics in Nigeria and globally.
  2. Explain the art and methods of graphic editing.
  3. Identify, explain, and use editing symbols.
  4. Edit photographs for newspaper publication.
  5. Demonstrate proficiency in using editing software for editing and graphics.

 

Detailed Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Editing in News Media

  • Overview of editing’s role in news publications.
  • Importance of accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
  • History of editing and graphics in Nigeria and other countries.

Module 2: Writing for News Media

  • Fundamentals of news writing: structure, style, and the inverted pyramid.
  • Application of news values in story writing.

Module 3: Editing Symbols and Proofreader’s Marks

  • Introduction to editing and proofreader's symbols.
  • Practical exercises in applying symbols for editing news copy.

Module 4: The Editing Process

  • Steps in editing: From initial draft to final publication.
  • Understanding the editor’s role in refining content.

Module 5: Proofreading Techniques

  • Techniques for identifying and correcting errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and factual accuracy.

Module 6: Photo Editing for Newspapers

  • Introduction to photo editing tools and techniques.
  • Selecting, cropping, and enhancing images for print media.

Module 7: Incorporating Visuals into News Content

  • The role of visuals in news articles.
  • Effective integration of photographs, charts, and graphics.

Module 8: Layout and Design Principles for Newspapers

  • Basics of newspaper layout and design.
  • Relationship between text and visuals.
  • Principles of visual hierarchy and good design.

Module 9: Feature Writing and Editing

  • Writing and editing feature articles: Structure, tone, and style.
  • Techniques for creating compelling feature stories.

Module 10: Ethics and Standards in Editing

  • Ethical considerations in editing, including objectivity and fairness.
  • Adherence to editorial standards and guidelines.

Module 11: Editing for Digital Media

  • Editing content for online platforms.
  • Differences between print and digital editing.
  • Multimedia and interactive elements.

Module 12: Final Project – Full Newspaper Page Editing

  • Editing a complete newspaper page with integrated articles, photographs, and graphics.
  • Peer review and feedback on completed projects.

 

 Teaching/Learning Methods

  1. Lectures: Introduction to theories and principles of editing, photo editing, and layout design.
  2. Practical Exercises: Weekly hands-on tasks involving editing symbols, proofreading techniques, and photo editing tools.
  3. Group Discussions: Exploration of industry trends, ethical challenges, and practical solutions in editing.

 

 Modes of Assessment

  1. Class Participation & Practical Exercises: 10%
  2. Weekly Assignments (Editing News Articles, Proofreading, etc.): 15%
  3. Midterm Project (Photo Editing & Layout): 15%
  4. Final Project (Complete Newspaper Page Editing): 20%
  5. Final Exam (Theory + Practical): 40%

 

Reading List/References

Primary Texts:

  1. Brooks, B., Kennedy, G., Moen, D., & Ranly, D. (2020). The Art of Editing in the Age of Convergence. Pearson.
  2. Harrower, T. (2021). The Newspaper Designer’s Handbook. McGraw-Hill.

Supplementary Texts:

  1. Hickey, M. (2022). Effective Proofreading for Media Professionals. Routledge.
  2. Tinsley, K. (2020). Photo Editing for Journalists: A Practical Guide. Wiley.

Additional Resources:

  1. Online resources for editing symbols and proofreading techniques.
  2. Tutorials on Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and other editing software.