Required Texts

• Magazine Writing, by Christopher D. Benson

WEEK 1
T01.09 Introduction to Course
R01.11 Chapter 1: Beginning the Journey

WEEK 2
T01.16 Chapter 2: The Inside Story
Video Presentation: Magazine Industry

• Is Print Dead Or Not
• Taking It To The Streets

R01.18 Cont. The Inside Story

WEEK 3
T01.23 Chapter 3: Magazine Markets

• Amy Shumer: Women’s Magazines
• Are Women’s Magazines Serious

R01.25 Cont. Magazine Markets

WEEK 4
T01.30 Chapter 4: The Big Idea

• What a Magazine Editor Wants

R02.01 Cont. The Big Idea

WEEK 5
T02.06  Chapter 5: Sharpening the Angle

• A Writer’s Secret To Catching Ideas

R02.08  Cont. Sharpening the Angle

WEEK 6
T02.13  Chapter 6: Pitch Perfect

• How to Pitch A Magazine Story

02.15 Cont. Pitch Perfect

WEEK 7
T02.20 Chapter 7: Research: Good Storytelling

• The Art Of Asking Questions

R02.22 Cont. Research: Good Storytelling

WEEK 8
T02.27 No Class – Research day for life story

R03.01 Chapter 8: Structure: Good Storytelling

• Pixar Storytelling Rules

Read and examine the elements of structure in the story, How to Be Polite. Consider the balance of elements (refer to the text’s AFEQ vision test). How does it check out?

Now, write a summary of the theme, pointing to how it is established in the opening (lead and nutgraf), and reinforced in the closing (setup and payoff). Does the writer effectively set out the theme in the opening and relate it back through the closing in a way that creates takeaway value for the reader? Discuss how.

WEEK 9
T03.06 Chapter 9: Structure II: Mortar for Storytelling Blocks

Read the story Why I Bought A House In Detroit for $500. Make notes of the transition that are used in a selection of 10-15 paragraphs, and especially note the transitional terms used. 

How might you substitute connective language? 

Now consider how the word selection helps to move the story forward. Where do you stumble over word choices? How might you smooth out these stumbles with substituted language?

Finally, how might “color verbs” and “beats” add a dimension to the story that helps the flow?

R03.08 Chapter 10: Self-Edit

• After Watching This, Your Brain Will Not Be The Same

WEEK 10
T03.13 Spring Break
R03.15 Spring Break

WEEK 11
T03.20 Chapter 11: Literary Nonfiction
R03.22 Cont. Literary Nonfiction

WEEK 12
T03.27 Workshop Literary Nonfiction
R03.29 Chapter 12: The Profile

• Literary Nonfiction Piece due by midnight on Monday, April 2

WEEK 13
T04.03 Cont. The Profile
R04.05 Workshop Profile Piece

• Profile Piece due by midnight on Wednesday, April 11

WEEK 14
T04.10 Chapter 13: Service
R04.12 Continue Service

WEEK 15
T04.17 Workshop Service
R04.19 Chapter 14: Arts and Entertainment

• Service Piece due by midnight on Monday, April 23

WEEK 16
T04.24 Continue Arts and Entertainment
R04.26 Work day for Arts and Entertainment (no class)

• Arts and Entertainment Piece due by midnight, Monday, April 30.
• Portfolio and due by Midnight, Thursday, May 3.