Writing the News

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
MDIA 2036
Course ID icon
Course ID
207682
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus West
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Comm, Media and Jour
Course level icon
Course level
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
Discipline group A
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of writing for a range of news media platforms. News language, news story structure and news values are key elements of writing for news media, and the course focuses on practical application of these principles across online, print, audio, video and social media platforms. The course incorporates exploration of both 'hard' and 'soft' news, and introduces students to a range of news forms.

Course learning outcomes

  • Understand and be able to apply principles of news language and news story structure
  • Understand and be able to apply news values and concepts of newsworthiness
  • Understand principles of news story structure and writing across print, audio, video and online platforms
  • Apply principles of news story structure and writing to writing for print, audio, video and online platforms
  • Be aware of some common sources of news and how information from these can be incorporated in news writing
  • Understand key differences between hard and soft news and be able to apply this in writing news stories
  • Understand influences on news writing such as audience

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus West

Class number
Class number 29712
Section
Section 01CW
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Adelaide City Campus West ,

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed MDIA2334 Writing the News at the University of Adelaide

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

N/A

Assessment

N/A

Fee calculator

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Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.