Introduction to journalism

What is the course about?

Students on this course will enjoy a well-rounded introduction to the basics of freelance journalism. The key components of writing news, features and vox pops will be discussed. You'll also learn how to put stories together and get them published.

Students say: "It gave me a practical understanding of journalism"; "I liked the friendly atmsophere and getting feedback on my writing"; "Our tutor was very engaging and had a wealth of knowledge to share.".

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- News and feature writing.
- Editing skills.
- Interviewing technique.
- How to use facts and quotes.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

-Write a news introduction.
- Write a feature introduction.
- Understand the difference between news and features.
- Edit your stories to length.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is an introduction course and no previous knowledge or skills are required. Energy and enthusiasm are more important than writing experience. It is also suitable for foreign language students with a reasonable level of English.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

This is a highly practical course with a focus on both group and individual work. We will have discussions about articles, you will produce your own copy, and there will also be activities to complete outside of the classroom.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Purchase of publications/magazines from your target area is advisable.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

City Lit run a range of journalism courses. Please search our website for 'journalism' to find more courses.

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.