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Freelance Journalism Essentials

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How do you write interesting, straightforward, journalistic pieces for today’s media? This course will look at the various Australian markets (both online and offline) 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 the bits 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.

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

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 online outlets 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 speciality


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 difference between online and mainstream story structures
  • How to pull it all together
  • Editing your article


It’s A Business – What Do You Need To Know?:

  • Your rights and obligations, copyright and defamation
  • Ethics
  • 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

Please bring a notepad and pen.

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 may be informed of a cancellation &/or change via SMS or E-mail.

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