Freelance Journalism Essentials

If you want to learn journalism in Sydney, then this course is for you!

How do you write interesting, straightforward, journalistic pieces for today’s media? This course will look at the various Australian markets for freelance work and how to write for their different audiences. You will discover how to generate ideas and how to craft them into saleable articles, including style, editing, research, openings, endings and all in between. We will also look at where and how to submit your work, dealing with editors and some of the business and legal aspects of freelance work.

Agenda

During this course the intention is that the following topics will be covered, but not necessarily in the order given. Due to the variable nature of Adult Education classes, parts of the curriculum may be adapted to suit the needs of the class.

Target Markets:

  • A look at the variety of newspapers and magazines and how to style your ideas to suit different publications
  • Types of articles

Generating story ideas:

  • Selecting good ideas, finding the right angle and slant for your article
  • Developing a specialty

Planning your article:

  • Preliminary scooping and overview
  • Is there a workable article in this idea?

Research skills:

  • Research techniques and the internet
  • Contacts and other sources
  • How much is enough?

Interview techniques:

  • Practical tips and skill development

Story structure:

  • The news pyramid versus feature writing.
  • How to pull it all together
  • Developing simple writing skills
  • Editing your article

It’s a business – what do you need to know?:

  • Your rights and obligations, copyright and defamation
  • Ethics
  • Challenges of the writing life
  • How to submit your work, marketplace opportunities
  • Dealing with editors

Objectives

The intended Learning Outcomes for this course are as follows.

By the end of the course, students will have:

  • Increased their confidence in ability to write articles for publication
  • A working knowledge of how freelance journalists operate
  • Practice in concrete research and writing skills

Other Information

Design & Technology Ctr, cnr Gordon St & Victoria Rd, Rozelle. If driving, no left turn into Gordon St, so turn left into Lilyfield Rd, then first right into Gordon St.

PLS NOTE: All classes need a minimum number of students to go ahead. If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled and you will be informed. ***Please be aware that you maybe be informed of a cancellation &/or change via SMS or E-mail.

Show class calendar (8 sessions)

Price
$199.00 (inc GST)
Starts
Wednesday 11 Feb 2009
Finishes
Wednesday 1 Apr 2009
Time
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Tutor
Joanna Maxwell
Map & Address
Design and Technology Centre
Class Code
ARWR3-5
When Time Where
Wed 11 Feb 2009 06:30PM - 08:30PM A3 - Design and Technology Centre
Wed 18 Feb 2009 06:30PM - 08:30PM A3 - Design and Technology Centre
Wed 25 Feb 2009 06:30PM - 08:30PM A3 - Design and Technology Centre
Wed 04 Mar 2009 06:30PM - 08:30PM A3 - Design and Technology Centre
Wed 11 Mar 2009 06:30PM - 08:30PM A3 - Design and Technology Centre
Wed 18 Mar 2009 06:30PM - 08:30PM A3 - Design and Technology Centre
Wed 25 Mar 2009 06:30PM - 08:30PM A3 - Design and Technology Centre
Wed 01 Apr 2009 06:30PM - 08:30PM A3 - Design and Technology Centre