University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2011-2012Last update : 14/06/2012
COMU0031-2  Technical writing and argumentation

Duration :  30h Th
Number of credits :  
One-year preliminary programme leading to the Master in Performing ArtsSecond semester5
Lecturer :  Marc Vanesse
Language(s) of instruction :  
French language
Course contents :  
Just like design or informatics, the mastery of writing requires a period of learning. This course is conceived as an initiation to techniques of journalistic writing, and it is made up of three closely related parts. During the first part, more theoretical, students will learn to distinguish and master the main registers of newspaper writing (factual reporting, synthesis, narrative, description...). Next, in a more practical vein, students will write texts that follow the conventions associated with different journalistic genres (writing dispatches, building up reporting on a story, writing up an interview, painting a picture from a particular angle...). Finally, in the third part, students will learn techniques of argumentation, often useful in editing polemic texts (editorial, commentaries, humorous articles).
Learning outcomes of the course :  
- Evaluation. The primary objective of the course concerns the relationship between the student and writing. His or her writing. Through a number of preliminary exercises the students will test their knowledge and measure their progress. They will improve their mastery of syntax, their vocabularies, their spelling, their sentence structure, their continuity, their precision, their exactitude...
- Imitation. Through frequent reading of newspaper articles, and through class discussion and analysis of examples, students will test and refine their techniques of journalistic expression.
Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :  
- Proficiency in oral and written expression (tutoring possible)
- Active curiosity about current events
- Frequent reader of newspapers and frequent consumer of audiovisual media
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :  
Written exercises will be assigned during practice sessions and these will help prepare students for the final evaluation.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :  
Number of classroom hours and time period: 30 hours during the second term.
Time and place: Salle Wittert (place du 20 août), Mondays from 14h15 to 16h15.
Recommended or required readings :  
- Transparencies shown in class are available online.
- Readings highly recommended:
Yves AGNES, Manuel de journalisme, Paris, La Découverte, Coll. « Guide Grands Repères », 2002 ; Philippe BRETON, L'argumentation dans la communication, La Découverte, coll. « Repères », Paris, 2003 ; Jean-Luc MARTIN-LAGARDETTE, Le guide de l'écriture journalistique, Paris, La Découverte, Coll. « Guides », 2005.
Assessment methods and criteria :  
- Some questions over theoretical topics covered in class - A personal writing project
Contacts :  
Teacher: Marc Vanesse, instructor
Département des Arts et Sciences de la communication
Place du 20 août, 7, 2e étage
Tel : 04-366.29.57
(Marc.Vanesse@ulg.ac.be)
Assistants
- Jenifer Devresse
(J.Devresse@ulg.ac.be)
04-366.54.95
- François Colmant
04-366.38.60
(fcolmant@ulg.ac.be)
Secretary
04-366.32.79


imageHome
imageSearch by Faculty
imageSearch by teacher
imageSearch by course code and title

Students and Studies Administration - Academic Affairs - Contact : Monique Marcourt, General Director for Education and Training - Developed by SEGI