PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MASTER SYLLABUS
ADVANCED WRITING FOR TV VPT 2820
Class Hours: 3.0							Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours: 0.0							Date Revised: Summer 01

Catalog Course Description:
	Course addresses the writing of visually oriented scripts that incorporate advanced concepts in dramatic writing for visual media, including the documentary and talk program formats. Emphasis will be placed on understanding long form structure through reading and writing.
Entry Level Standards:
	Type 25 wpm; Use correct English, grammar and spelling.
Prerequisite: VPT 1400
Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course:
	Broadcast Writing-Principles and Practice, Walters, Roger L. Second Edition, McGraw- Hill, Inc. Scripts and script models as provided.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
	Week					Topic
	1					Class objectives/Introduction/Script format review
	2					Determining Purpose/analyzing target audience/selecting the topic and guests/scripting a talk program
	3					Structural Requirement - Unity, Variety, Pace, Climate
	4					Preparing questions - Sequencing questions, Phrasing questions
	5					Conducting interviews/Moderating Discussion Programs/Hosting Call-in Programs
	6					Characteristics of a Documentary/Common Documentaries/Writing Documentaries/Radio Documentaries
	7					Common Documentary Types - Public Affairs, Nature Documentary, Slice of Life Documentary and Event or Process, Documentary a creative effort
	8					Writing Documentary/concepts/Treatment
	9					Interviewing: Why interviewing matters/Who do you interview/Types of situations/Setting people at ease/Framing questions/Guidelines for effective interviewing/Pushing boundaries/Right order for questions
	10					Corporate/Instructional programs
	11					Planning and writing Corporate/Instructional programs - Defining purpose, needs assessment, learning objectives, selecting the medium
	12					Dramatic programs
	13					Structure - Unity, Variety, Pace, Climate, Strong start
	14					Setting/Plot/Characters
	15					A Script Development Checklist/Final script - Visualization, Dialogue, Format
	16					Final
*II. Course Objectives:**
	A.			Learn to assess audience characteristics that suggest appropriate writing styles and approaches. III, IV
	B.			Learn to format a script so that it is appropriate for various media. I, III, IV
	C.			Develop the ability to design scripts that are geared to client needs in terms of communications and overall production costs. I, II, III
	D.			Gain a greater insight into researching/preparing long scripted projects. III, IV, V
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the VPT program.
*III. Instructional Processes:**
Students will:
	1.				Conduct research for a documentary project that will incorporate the use of the internet, other ERC resources, and interviewing techniques. Communication Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome, Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategy
	2.				Work collaboratively to develop characters for a long format script. Communication Outcome, Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategy
	3. 4.				Role-play as clients and production company to be able to relate to both positions. Communication Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategy Create program ideas and bring their ideas to finished scripts. Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
*IV. Expectations for Student Performance:**
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
	1.			Establish audience profiles, which can be used to determine suitable concept approaches, and writing styles. A
	2.			Incorporate the production techniques and technologies of film, radio, and television into production ready scripts. A, B, D
	3.			Demonstrate, in written form, the ability to create 3 or more approaches for the solution for a particular communication's problem. A, B, C
	4.			Identify and employ basic elements of creative writing. A, D
	5.			Discern the difference between delivering information and involving the viewer or listener on an emotional level. B, C, D
	6.			Develop a draft for a long scripted project. D
	7.			Know the stages of dramatic script development - concept, treatment and final script. A, B
	8.			Distinguish between documentaries and other presentational forms. A, B, C
	9.			Write concepts, treatments and other script materials for documentaries, emphasizing the distinctive presentational techniques of that genre. A, B, C, D
	10.			Research and prepare interview and discussion programs for broadcast, including --- determining purpose, analyzing target audiences, choosing topics and guests, preparing interview questions and structuring of a program. B, C
	11.			Recognize, prepare and use shot sheets. C
	12.			Understand how non-broadcast delivery affects the structure and content of corporate/instructional writing. B, C
	13.			Demonstrate how to write in a format suitable for production in radio, TV or film. B, C
	14.			Demonstrate how to write a treatment, script, and develop a storyboard. A, B, C
	15.			Estimate, in general terms, the overall production costs of a simple corporate or "industrial" production. C
	16.			Prepare for future VPT production work through development of strong script writing and conceptual skills. A, B, C, D
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
	A. Testing Procedures: 30% of grade
			Test scores will combine for 30% of the grade.
	B. Laboratory Expectations: 30% of grade
		Written assignments using correct format/spelling will represent 30% of the grade.
	C. Other Evaluation Methods: 40% of grade
		The following four areas will combine to determine 40% of the grade: 1. Completion of written assignments on time 2. In class attendance, participation and in-class writing 3. Effort, growth, dedication, perseverance 4. Mastery of basic writing skills, creative talent, ability to focus and concentrate.
VI. Policies:
	Policies:
		A. Attendance Policy: Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities. As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course (Pellissippi State Catalog). Individual departments/programs/disciplines, with the approval of the vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, may have requirements that are more stringent. VPT Program Attendance: The VPT program believes a more stringent requirement is realistic because of the contractual commitment made by the College with local area employers. Therefore, to successfully complete VPT courses, students must attend at least 85% of classes. To be considered “in attendance,” students are expected to be in class at the scheduled starting time for that class. Students will be considered “tardy” from that time until 10 minutes after the scheduled starting time. Three such “tardies” shall constitute an “absence.” Students arriving any time after 10 minutes beyond the scheduled starting time for a class will be considered “absent.” B. Academic Dishonesty: In keeping with college-wide policies, the student is expected to adhere to the general rules and regulations relevant to academic and classroom misconduct as outline in the catalog. C. Use of Equipment: Any act of misuse, vandalism, malicious or unwarranted damage or destruction, defacing, disfiguring, or unauthorized use of property/equipment belonging to Pellissippi State is subject to disciplinary sanction.