Media Writing Syllabus for 2026-2027
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

COMM-2311-001 Media Writing

Prerequisites

Course Description

Fundamentals of writing for the mass media. Includes instruction in professional methods and techniques for gathering, processing and delivering content.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

Hours

(3 sem hrs 3 lec 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

• Inside Reporting: A Practical Guide to the Craft of Journalism, 3rd Ed.,
by Tim Harrower (required)

• The Associated Press Stylebook (2019 edition or later) (required)

• The Associated Press Guide to News Writing, by Rene J. Cappon (suggested)

Supplies

Technology and Access

• Reliable access to the Internet (assignments are completed and submitted online).
• A reliable computer or laptop, with the ability to charge and maintain the device.
• Voice recorder or phone recording app

Student Performance

This course is designed to help you become a stronger, more confident media writer. We will learn how to gather information, ask effective questions, research and verify facts, organize information, and write clearly, accurately, and concisely—often on a deadline. You will practice writing for different types of media, including online, print, and, to a limited extent, broadcast.

Writing is a skill, and the more you practice, the better you will become. You will write often in this class and receive plenty of feedback to help you improve. We will also look at real media stories and discuss what makes them effective, accurate, and engaging. By the end of the course, you should have a better understanding of the media writing and reporting process and feel more confident gathering information and turning it into stories appropriate for publication.

Class Participation

Your participation is an important part of this course. I want you to ask questions, share your ideas, and be involved in our class discussions. We will spend time analyzing real media stories, completing writing exercises, and practicing the skills you will need for your assignments.

Grades & Academic Expectations

Your final grade reflects the work you complete throughout the entire semester, not just what you accomplish at the end.

• Daily work, writing assignments, discussions, and assessments all contribute to your final grade.
• Avoid waiting until the last week to complete your work. Cramming usually leads to more stress and lower-quality work.
• I will provide regular feedback throughout the semester. Use that feedback to identify areas where you can improve.
• Stay engaged, ask questions, and keep up with the pace of the course.
• If you are struggling with an assignment or with the course in general, please reach out to me as soon as possible. Help is available, but you have to take the first step.

Final Grade Requests

Your final grade is based on the total number of points you earn throughout the semester. I do not round up final grades based on requests.

• Do not rely on last-minute fixes. Your grade is built assignment by assignment throughout the course.
• Use the rubrics provided for assignments. They are there to help you understand exactly how your work will be evaluated.
• If you need additional help, take advantage of tutoring resources or reach out to me before submitting an assignment.

Bottom line: Your grade reflects the work you put into the course. This approach keeps grading fair for everyone while also helping you develop the responsibility, consistency, and communication skills you will need in future academic and professional settings.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

This course introduces you to the fundamentals of writing for mass media. We will focus on the skills journalists and media professionals use to gather information, research and verify facts, conduct interviews, organize information, and turn it into clear, accurate, and engaging stories.

You will learn how to write for different media platforms, including print, online, and broadcast. We will also discuss the role of journalists, basic newsroom operations, media ethics, and the laws and responsibilities that come with working in the media.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate proper media writing and editing styles.
2. Adapt your writing style for different media platforms and audiences.
3. Use effective research, interviewing, and information-gathering techniques.
4. Understand the laws, ethics, and responsibilities that come with working in media.

You will also learn how to:

• Make sound news judgments and determine what information is worth reporting.
• Recognize the professional expectations and responsibilities of journalists.
• Gather information through interviews, traditional research, online research, and other reliable sources.
• Write newspaper, magazine, and online stories using standard journalistic style.
• Recognize and write different types of news leads.
• Recognize and write feature stories, columns, and reviews.
• Understand the similarities and differences between writing for print, online, broadcast news, and public relations.
• Understand the ethical and legal issues that journalists face in their day-to-day work.

Most importantly, you will get a lot of practice writing. Writing is a skill, and you will not become a better writer by simply reading about writing. You will improve by doing it, receiving feedback, and trying again.

Academic Integrity & Plagiarism

Journalistic integrity is one of the most important expectations in this course. Your work must be your own.

Plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, and other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable. This includes copying someone else's work, submitting someone else's ideas or writing as your own without proper attribution, or working with another person on an assignment when collaboration has not been authorized.

Because this is a media writing course, fabricating information is especially serious. This includes:

• Making up quotes or sources.
• Changing or inventing facts.
• Reporting something that did not actually happen.
• Copying material directly from a website or other source without attribution.
• Misrepresenting someone else's work as your own.
• Submitting work that was written by someone else.

Any form of academic dishonesty will be handled according to Amarillo College's academic integrity policies and may result in a failing grade for the assignment or course.

You are preparing for a profession where accuracy and credibility matter. Developing good habits now will help you build trust with your readers, sources, coworkers, instructors, and future employers.

AI & Your Work

Artificial intelligence tools can be useful, but they also create an important question for this class: Whose work are you actually submitting?

Unless I specifically tell you that AI is allowed for a particular assignment, the work you submit should reflect your own reporting, thinking, writing, and editing.

Using AI to generate an assignment and submitting that work as your own is not acceptable. This includes using AI to write an entire story, create interviews or quotes that never happened, invent facts or sources, or substantially rewrite your work in a way that no longer reflects your own writing.

AI-generated information can also be inaccurate, biased, or completely made up. As a media writer, learning how to research, verify information, interview sources, and make your own editorial decisions is part of what you are here to learn.

If AI is permitted for an assignment, I will explain how and when you may use it and what you are expected to disclose.

If I have concerns about whether the work you submitted is your own, I may ask you to meet with me and explain your reporting process, sources, ideas, and how you developed the assignment.

Bottom line: AI can be a tool, but it should never replace your own learning. Your goal in this class is to become a better writer and journalist—not simply to produce something that looks like good writing.

Support on Your Journey

You’re not alone in this! If you ever feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about an assignment, reach out early. Amarillo College has several resources available to help you succeed:

• Me (your instructor!) — I am always happy to answer questions, talk through an assignment, or help you figure out where you’re stuck.
• Amarillo College Tutoring Centers — Get additional support with your coursework.
• Online Tutoring — Get help even when you aren't on campus.
• The Underground — A great resource for academic support and student services.

Engagement Expectations

A good communication class requires communication! I want this to be a class where you feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and learning from each other.

Here are a few things I ask from you:

• Call me Gissel — no formal titles needed!
• Participate and ask questions. You don't have to have all the answers. In fact, that's part of why we're here.
• Think critically. Technology and AI can be helpful tools, but your own ideas, judgment, and creativity matter most.
• Reach out when you hit an obstacle. If something is getting in the way of your success, let me know so I can help point you toward a solution.
• Be kind and respectful. We all learn better when we feel comfortable sharing our ideas.
• Celebrate differences. Everyone brings different experiences, perspectives, and ideas to the classroom. Those differences make our conversations better.
• Stay focused. Give the class your attention and be present when we are working together.
• Use the syllabus as your guide. It has the information you need to stay organized and understand what is expected of you.

Communication

If you have a question, need clarification, or are having trouble with something in the course, please reach out. I would much rather hear from you early than find out later that you were struggling.

Best option: Blackboard Messaging — since it is directly connected to our course.

Other option: Email. When emailing me, please include:

• Your name
• Course and section
• A clear subject line
• A brief explanation of your question or concern

Grading Criteria

Course Requirements

• Stories & Multimedia Projects (70%): A large part of this course is learning by doing! You’ll complete 6 stories for The Ranger, 1 magazine story for AC Current, and 1 multimedia story/project. These assignments will give you hands-on experience with researching, interviewing, writing, editing, and meeting real journalism deadlines.
  • Story topics will be assigned at least one week before the deadline.
  • Magazine stories may be assigned by the AC Current editor approximately three weeks before the due date.
  • Most stories will be at least 400 words, although some assignments may require more.
  • Stories will be evaluated on reporting, sources and quotes, organization, leads, AP Style, grammar and punctuation, meeting deadlines, and overall journalistic quality.
  • You will generally need at least three live sources per story. More information about source requirements will be provided with each assignment.
  • Your stories should be factual and objective. Unless an assignment specifically calls for it, your personal opinion does not belong in a news or feature story.
  • We will talk throughout the semester about legal and ethical issues in journalism. Avoiding legal and ethical problems is part of producing good journalism!
• Participation & Classwork (10%): Your participation matters! This includes class discussions, activities, homework, writing exercises, copy-editing and peer-editing activities, textbook work, and other assignments. 
• Exams & Quizzes (20%): You’ll complete two exams—a midterm and a final—along with AP Style and reporting quizzes. These are designed to help you check your understanding of the material and practice the skills you’ll need as a media writer.
  • Midterm Due: Sunday, October 18, 2026, by 11:59 PM 
  • FINAL DUE: Thursday, December 17, 2026, by 12:00 PM (noon) (P.S. This earlier Thursday deadline gives me enough time to grade everything and submit final grades by the college’s Friday deadline.) No late exams or extensions will be accepted, so mark this date in your calendar now.

Late Work Policy

• Week 1 Grace Period: If you fall behind during the first week, reach out by Week 2 so we can get you back on track.
• After Week 1: Late work generally isn’t accepted. Journalism is a deadline-driven profession, and learning to meet deadlines is an important part of this course.
• Communication is always welcome: Life happens. If something unexpected comes up, let me know as soon as possible. I would much rather hear from you early than find out after an assignment has been missed. We can talk through your situation and determine what options may be available.

Grades & Withdrawals

Grading Scale:

• A: 90–100
• B: 80–89.9
• C: 70–79.9
• D: 60–69.9
• F: 59.9 or below

No Grade Recovery: Your final grade reflects the work and points you earn throughout the semester. There are no last-minute grade fixes or rounding up based on requests.

Withdrawals: If you decide to withdraw from the course, you’ll need to complete a withdrawal form. Please follow the college's withdrawal process and reach out if you have questions about your options.

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

Academic Freedom & Diverse Perspectives

This Media Writing course follows Amarillo College’s Academic Affairs Manual, which emphasizes that instructors should not force their personal viewpoints on students and should respect and allow for diverse opinions.

This is a professional, skills-based writing course. Our focus is on learning how to research, report, write, and edit news and feature stories for digital and print media. We will look at real-world journalism, practice interviewing and using sources, and discuss the ethical responsibilities that come with being a journalist—including accuracy, fairness, and accountability.

You are not expected to change your personal beliefs or opinions because of anything we discuss in this class. Instead, you are expected to learn how to approach stories professionally, verify information using credible sources, consider multiple perspectives, and separate your personal opinions from your reporting.

You may not always agree with the topics we discuss, the perspectives we encounter, or even each other—and that's okay. In fact, learning how to listen to different perspectives and think critically about the information you encounter is an important part of becoming a good journalist and communicator.

The goal is simple: I want you to leave this course as a stronger writer, a more critical thinker, and a more informed media consumer who understands how to responsibly gather and share information.

Adapted from Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual (2025), p. 2, “Academic Freedom,” BOR DGC; SACSCOC 6.4.