Introduction to News Writing is the entry point to UMGC's Journalism program — evaluating newsworthiness and writing in journalistic style for print and electronic media.
What JOUR 201 covers
(Fulfills the general education requirement in communications.) Prerequisite: WRTG 112. An introduction to writing news articles for print and electronic media. The aim is to evaluate the newsworthiness of information and events and write in journalistic style.
Emphasis is on writing, from mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation, and journalistic style) to content (accuracy, completeness, audience, and readability) and reporting.
Typical JOUR 201 assignments
Expect an assignment requiring you to write a news article in proper journalistic style (inverted pyramid, AP style) evaluating a specific event's newsworthiness.
Key topics in JOUR 201
- Newsworthiness evaluation
- Journalistic style and mechanics
- Accuracy and completeness in reporting
- Print and electronic media writing
Writing tips for JOUR 201
Follow the assignment instructions and rubric line by line
UMGC assignments for JOUR 201 are graded against a specific rubric or grading criteria your instructor provides — every requirement has to be visibly addressed. Skipping a requirement because it seems minor is one of the most common reasons a strong submission loses points.
Write in journalistic style, not academic essay style
Journalism courses like JOUR 201 grade against journalistic conventions — inverted pyramid structure, AP style, concise and accurate reporting — which are genuinely different from academic essay writing. Reusing essay-writing habits is one of the fastest ways to lose points here.
Cite and attribute sources correctly every time
Across writing, journalism, and research courses, correct source attribution is consistently and explicitly graded — a strong argument undermined by improper or missing citation is one of the most common ways students lose points.
Stuck on your JOUR 201 assignment?
Our writers know UMGC's course structure and this class's typical assignments. Get an original, properly cited paper matched to your syllabus and rubric.
Why students seek help with JOUR 201
Students sometimes write a news story using academic essay conventions instead of the journalistic mechanics and style the course specifically requires — the rubric typically wants that journalistic style applied precisely.
How GradeEssays helps with JOUR 201
Share your news writing assignment and rubric, and your writer will build an article following proper journalistic mechanics and style.
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Place Your Order View All ServicesPrerequisites and course context
JOUR 201 requires Academic Writing II (WRTG 112), and is itself the required prerequisite for JOUR 330.
Related courses
Frequently asked questions
JOUR 201 requires Academic Writing II (WRTG 112), and is itself the required prerequisite for JOUR 330 (Public Relations Theory).
A specific set of conventions — inverted pyramid structure, AP style mechanics, and a focus on accuracy, completeness, and readability — genuinely different from academic essay writing.