Internet Journalism

Internet Journalism

No. of lessons 8
No. of exercises 18
Average duration 6-9 months
Distance learning by email

The course begins with a basic introduction to the web and then deals with the basics of freelance writing - not just with a web-centric viewpoint. Some law knowledge follows and then finally the specific and separate functions of the internet based freelance writer are covered.

Students who have already completed the Freelance and Feature Writing course or are established journalists can take the 'Short' version of the course, if they wish, which eliminates three freelance writing modules.

Course Syllabus:

Introduction to content creation and presentation
This lesson gives a general overview of the Internet by describing briefly how it is structured and the specific services that the public has access to. How the internet and the World Wide Web began is presented as background information.

Readers and Freelance Markets
This lesson provides a comprehensive introduction to modern journalism practices. What is freelance journalism? Exploring markets and analysing what readers want. Presentation, grammar, spelling, punctuation and house style.

News, Features and Sports
An explanation of the processes involved in identifying and researching news, features and sports stories. How to find news. Why interview? Features structure and style. The world of sport.

Directing your writing
This lesson should help you focus your writing aims in such a way that it becomes easier to produce articles which can realistically be submitted for publication. Dealing with editors. Getting into print. Common problems. Specialist writing. Gossip columns. The role of the critic.

Legal Knowledge
This lesson will give you essential knowledge of law needed to allow you to sell your work online.

Freelancing on the web
The opportunities and challenges associated with writing for publication on the web. Writing for the web. The online audience. Online research. Sourcing stories from the web. Submitting ideas and articles. Online advice.

Successful packages
How to build a writing portfolio and some of the major pitfalls facing journalists. The winning formula. Building a portfolio. Internet myths and misconceptions, rights and restrictions and defamation.

Selling into cybermedia
More legal pitfalls facing freelance journalists - reporting restrictions, copyright, court reporting. Webwriting opportunities. Fiction on the web. Non-fiction markets. Going it alone.