JOUR13-318: Freelance Feature Writing and Blogging

Description

In the current media landscape, a reporter who has original ideas, a fresh voice, and sharp insights can quickly develop a brand, a following, and a portfolio of published work. This subject teaches you how to write in a variety of formats (from listicles to in-depth features, travel narratives, opinion, reviews, and columns), as well as how to pitch work to digital, print (newspaper, magazine, zine etc), and multimedia publications, and how to set up a blog or portfolio platform of your own. The style and content of the writing are entirely up to you. You will be encouraged to mine your interests, contacts, and natural writing style for inspiration and credibility and to find suitable publication outlets for your work. The work of previous students has been published by Buzzfeed, The Guardian, Huffington Post, Women’s Health, News Corp, and Frankie Magazine. Also, you will also consider the business of freelance writing, including personal branding, establishing contacts, freelance writing rates, and tax and business structures.

Subject details

Learning outcomes

1. Conceptualise, research, structure and write original feature stories in a wide range of styles, formats and for a variety of publications. 2. Select and utilise creative and innovative approaches to both story development and personal brand. 3. Critically evaluate a range of feature writing within its social, historical, cultural and ethical/legal contexts. 4. Demonstrate informed consideration of industry standards and trends and pitch work to potential freelance employers. 5. Critically analyse and edit their own written work for clarity, originality, coherence and brevity, demonstrating sensitivity to publication conventions, industry trends and audience expectations. 6. Consider written work within its visual and publication contexts and conceptualise, design and self-publish a blog.

Enrolment requirements

Subject outlines

• May 2022 [Standard]
• May 2021 [Standard]
• September 2020 [Standard - Freelance Feature Writing and Blogging]
• May 2020 [Standard]
• September 2019 [Standard]
• May 2019 [Standard]
• September 2018 [Standard]
• May 2018 [Standard]
• September 2017 [Standard]
• May 2017 [Standard]

Subject dates