Freelance writing, in particular journalism, is a highly competitive field. Successful journalists and freelance writers not only have good writing skills, they have the ‘nose’ for a good story, the ability to write quickly and succinctly, and are experts in their chosen area of writing. This course is ideal for writers who are keen to build on their current skills and experience in order to enhance their career prospects, including being published!
The Advanced Certificate of Journalism is an online program that will teach you about different writing techniques, help you access new contacts, sharpen your skills, fine-tune your writing skills in the areas of sentence structure and theme development, including using deductive, inductive, chronological, descriptive, analogy, flashback and cause and effect concepts.
The Advanced Certificate of Journalism is an online professional development course that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to prepare for a career in journalism, as a freelance writing, editor or publisher. This comprehensive journalism course will develop your writing skills, help you discover work opportunities and learn how to network with professionals for success.
On completion of this online journalism course, you will have improved your existing writing skills, discovered potential writing specialisations, and gained insights into how to achieve your ultimate career aspirations!
Course Structure
Unit 1: Freelance Writing
Unit 1 – Introduction
- Categories of freelance writing
- Steps to getting started
- Necessary resources (including equipment)
- Researching the market
- Sources of information
- How to develop yourself as a freelance writer
- Publishing options
- Industry terminology
Unit 2 – Basic writing skills
- How to improve a piece of writing
- Essential writing skills
- Informative language
- Persuasive language
- Imaginative language
- Connotation and denotation
- Literal and figurative language
- Formal and Informal language
- Clear communication
- Making meanings clear
- Causes of confusion
- Ambiguity
- Concise wording
- Condensing your writing
- In-concise writing
- Phrases linked in a wordy fashion
- Tautologies
- Abstract nouns
- Using too many words
- Ellipsis
- Active and passive language
- Grammatical rules
- Grammatical errors
- Rules of speech
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Sentence structure
- Types of sentences
- Composing sentences
- Building a paragraph
Unit 3 – Planning what you write
- Conceptualisation
- Developing a concept
- Writing an outline synopsis
- Planning your writing
- Word budget
- Writing structure
- Research
- The writing process
- Feature writing conventions
- Feature article structure
- Introduction, billboard paragraph, body, ending and closer
- References
- A writing routine
Unit 4 – The publishing world
- Contacting publishers
- Periodicals
- Books
- Sample publishers contract
- Protecting the writers work
- Copyright
- Income from writing
- Lending rights
Unit 5 – Manuscripts
- Preparing and presenting your manuscript
- Editing
- The editing process
- Self-editing
- Editing articles and manuscripts
- Writing a sales package
- Target reader synopsis
- The title
- Statement of objectives
- The publishing process
- Presentation requirements
- Submitting your work
- Publishing processes for ebooks
- Self-publishing online
Unit 6 – Newspaper writing
- News articles
- Short features
- Investigative article
- Regular columns
- Fillers
- Human interest article
- Local newspaper articles
- Interviews
- Conducting an interview
- Planning the questions
- Drawing out answers
- Accuracy of notes
Unit 7 – Magazine writing
- Magazine articles
- What does a publisher or editor consider
- Feature articles
- Types of articles
- Service articles
- Travel writing
- Interviews
Unit 8 – Writing books
- Fiction books
- Writing fiction –plot, viewpoint, characterisation. setting, dialogue, conflict, structure.
- Target audience
- Believability
- Non fiction books
- Text books
- Fact finding
- Getting book contracts
- Books in print
Unit 9 – Writing advertising
- Writing for public relation
- Media releases
- Writing promotional campaigns
- Messages
- Selling
- Effectiveness
- Writing online advertising copy
Unit 10 – Special project
- Reviewing your writing
- Planning a small book
- Writing the first chapter
Unit 2: Advanced Freelance Writing
Unit 1 – Basic writing skills
- Sentences and phrases
- Writing effective sentences
- Choosing effective words
- Paragraphs
- Punctuation
- Summarising skills
- Key points to remember
- Types of writing
- Theme development
- Writing an analogy
- Writing a balanced theme
Unit 2 – Writing a regular column
- Writing columns
- Newsletter and new columns
- Know your audience
- Writing headlines
- Producing a newsletter
- Newsletter items
- Writing critical reviews
- Theatre, films and book reviews
Unit 3 – Educational writing
- Educational writing
- Concise wording
- Referencing
- Illustrations and captions
- Line drawings and technical illustrations
- Half tones, maps and tables
- Photos for publications
- Composing photos
- Composition and time
Unit 4 – Technical writing
- Characteristics of technical writing
- Golden rules
- Basic parts of a document
- Elements of a technical document
- Front matter, the body and end matter
- Technical writing guidelines
- Using jargon appropriately
- Gender neutral language
- Simple sentences
- Passive and unnecessary words
- Using an active voice
- Using imperatives
- Selecting first, second or third person
- Guidelines for writing directions
- Writing technical specifications
- Journal abstracts
Unit 5 – Writing a biographical story
- Writing biographies
- Creating a biography
- Interviewing skills and procedure
- Writing a personal biography
- Life story points
- Verb tenses
Unit 6 – Writing a news article
- Newsworthy articles
- News values
- Storyline
- Writing a news article
- Email newsletters
Unit 7 – Fiction writing
- Writing fiction that sells
- Types of fiction
- Character fiction characteristics
- Mainstream fiction characteristics
- Are you suited to writing fiction?
- Getting an idea
- Components of a story
- Fiction writing glossary of terms
Unit 8 – Other writing styles
- Writing TV and radio scripts
- TV formats
- Presenting comedy or drama series
- Script writing jargon
- The plot
- Procedure for developing a story
- Revising a script
- Conducting a survey
- Writing science fiction
- Writing for the web
- How is material published online?
- Management systems
- Key rules for web writing
Unit 3: Journalism Practice
Unit 1 – Working to Specification: Problem Based Learning Project
- Writing specifications (Specs)
- Consistency and style
- A sustainable career
- How fast do you write?
- Speed without quality is a problem
- Increase profitability with illustration
- Get something extra from your writing
- The PBL project
- PBL project stages
- Resources and final report
Unit 2 – Publishing online: Electronic Publications
- Advantagesof electronic publishing
- How material is published online
- Ebooks, interactivity, and apps
- Change in the new normal
- Management systems
- Interactivity cues
- Change is the new normal
- Management systems
Unit 3 -Writing and submitting article
- Digital online writing
- Digital writing skills
- Legal changes
- Styling an article
- Chapter header
- Main header
- Species and varieties
Unit 4 – Revised submitted work
- Speed without quality is a problem
- What is clear writing?
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Grammar
- Style
- Language level
- Common mistakes
- Style errors
- Style errors
- How to tighten up writing
Study Hours
Estimated duration 150 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Click Add to Cart/View Cart on the course page.
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:-
- Freelance Writers
- Editors
- Amateur Writers
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