Journalism: writing sex and relationships
- Course Code: HJ127
- Dates: 06/07/24 - 06/07/24
- Time: 10:30 - 16:30
- Taught: Sat, Daytime
- Duration: 1 session
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Alice Robb
Course Code: HJ127
Duration: 1 session
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Writing journalistically about love and sex can be complex, balancing insight with respect for the private lives of others. This short course, ideal for those looking to develop a career in lifestyle journalism, will cover a range of different kinds of stories about one of the fundamental parts of our lives: romantic relationships.
What will we cover?
- Where to get ideas for pieces on sex and relationships.
- How to develop your ideas into a story.
- The ethics of covering dating and relationships.
- Research and case studies.
- Pitching your work for publication.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Differentiate between outlets and their audiences.
- Turn an idea into a story.
- Research your story by finding case studies and experts, if necessary.
- Use literary techniques to enliven your writing.
- Pitch an article or blog post for publication.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No formal requirements except a good standard of English and some experience reading journalism related to sex and relationships.
Given the sensitive nature of the themes that will be discussed, and the fact different types of sexual and romantic relationships may be under discussion, it is crucial that participants are respectful and professional at all times.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Analysis of short pieces in class through group discussion.
- Short writing exercises.
- Formal instruction from the teacher combined with group discussion.
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?
Writing materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a range of journalistic and creative non-fiction writing courses, including Introduction to Journalism and Biography Writing.
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.
Alice Robb is the author of two non-fiction books: Why We Dream (Picador 2019), which was translated into fifteen foreign languages, and Don't Think, Dear: On Loving and Leaving Ballet (HarperCollins 2023), which has been called “devastating” (New York Times) “beautiful, difficult, and compelling” (Vanity Fair); “nuanced, intimate” (Guardian); “enlightening, perceptive” (Wall Street Journal); “enthralling” (New Statesman); “riveting” (Daily Mail) and “fascinating” (Independent). Her journalism and essays have appeared in Vogue, Vanity Fair, the Washington Post, the Guardian, the New Statesman, the Financial Times, the Times Literary Supplement and elsewhere.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
