This unit builds directly on the introductory work students undertake in the first year unit Copy: Targeting Audiences in relation to the conventions and skills of researching and writing for the contemporary media arena. The unit explores the diversity of contemporary news and social media writing with a particular regional focus on Australia and Asia, and combines analysis of online media writing with practical research and writing exercises. The unit also focuses on new participatory forms of online media creation, such as blogs, wikis, social networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and citizen journalism. Importantly, this unit prioritises publication. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate and edit their own and other students' online media writing, and to utilise blogs for publication. Topics covered include: computer-assisted reporting (CAR); information credibility; writing in the digital medium; news, feature and other writing genres; writing structures; story packages and titles; hyperlinking, interactivity and functionality; graphics and digital photos; page design; online media legal issues; and social networking.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
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This unit is not compulsory for any specific course. Depending on the course you study, this unit may be taken as an elective.