UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

Feature Writing short course

Information Pack May 2014 Presentation

FEATURE WRITING SHORT COURSE

Need for the course

The last decade has seen significant changes in the feature journalism industry. Newspapers, magazines, blogs and editorial-based websites are in a desperate scramble for professionals able to produce quality feature articles that can help them generate readership and compete in a rapidly changing and competitive media landscape. In a business context, the rise of content marketing has created the need for trained feature writers in the form of brand related feature articles as a promotional tactic. Learning the traditional principles and writing for traditional print formats or for the new digital media channels.

Course Overview
This highly practical 10-week short course teaches the skills and techniques needed to write professional feature articles for a wide variety of

journalists, professionals with the journalistic skill to tell brand stories and produce brandtechniques behind producing quality feature articles is imperative for success whether in

media, including newspapers,

magazines, websites and blogs. The course culminates in your production of a 2,000-word feature article.

Career Opportunities
If you are an aspiring feature writer hoping to sell your articles to a magazine or newspaper by teaching you how to write for a wide variety of media. If you are a working professional seeking to advance your career or are looking to add to your current skill set, this course for profit, this course provides the perfect stepping-stone into the world of feature journalism

COURSE DURATION: 10 weeks online, available throughout South Africa COURSE APPROVAL: This course is approved by the University of Cape Town. You will receive a certificate issued successfully completed the course.

will benefit you by teaching the skills and techniques that can be applied to writing feature

articles for content marketing purposes. Similarly, if you are hoping to start or grow your own a blog or website that could promote your business. Current feature writers will also benefit by polishing and formalising your writing skills through taking this course.

business, you can benefit from learning the skills needed to produce quality written pieces for

by the university once you have

COURSE CONTENT
Write your first full-length feature article and form part of an online writing community where you can interact with fellow writers, share your work and ideas and review one guided by an industry expert. anothers written projects as part of a structured learning process, which is supported and

COURSE DATES: Registrations close: 2 May 2014 Course starts: 12 May 2014 COURSE FEES: R9,390 CONTACT Natalie 021 447 7565 021 447 8344 natalie@getsmarter.co.za

WEEKLY Course modules

The following modules are covered during the course: Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6 Module 7 Module 8 Module 9 Module 10 Introduction to feature writing

What makes feature writing different? Developing feature story ideas Researching the feature article

Interviewing for feature writing Language and structure Journalistic ethics

Essential elements of feature articles Editing your article for style and clarity Selling your writing

Tel: +27 21 447 7565 | Fax: +27 21 447 8344

Website: www.getsmarter.co.za | Email: info@getsmarter.co.za Page 2 of 6

FEATURE WRITING SHORT COURSE

Module 1
INTRODUCTION TO FEATURE WRITING Students will be introduced to the energetic and rewarding field of feature writing. In particular, they will learn about the examples. Students will also be introduced to the difference between news reports and feature articles and how best to approach each of them.

Module 4
RESEARCHING THE FEATURE ARTICLE Students will learn how to unpack the topic of their story and develop a plan of action for their fieldwork and desktop research. In particular, students will gain expertise in identifying what the research needs of their story topics are and how they can go about fulfilling these needs. Students will also gain an understanding of how various top-flight writers have ap-

aims that steer this form of writing, and explore strong real life

proached this all-important aspect of their craft. Crucial to this module is the matter of the difference research sources and phases that can be used in establishing a database of information for a feature.

Module 2
WHAT MAKES FEATURE WRITING DIFFERENT Students will learn how feature writing relates to the wider family of journalistic forms of writing. In particular, they will and function between features and news reports on the one

Module 5
INTERVIEWING FOR FEATURE WRITING Students will gain insight into numerous interviewing methods, techniques and common difficulties. They will learn about the rules of engagement with a potential source, namely how to approach interview subjects with care and broach sensitive or view strategies that can be used and how to be efficient with specific questioning techniques.

understand, and be able to recognise, key differences in form hand, and personal columns on the other. For beginner writers, understanding these differences is vital to being able to deliver differences will help them in building up a repertoire of writing skills. on an editors brief; for practising writers, examining these key

personal topics. Students will also look at the different inter-

Module 3
DEVELOPING FEATURE STORY IDEAS Students will gain practice in developing feature story ideas for publication. In particular, they will learn how the notion of newsworthiness can be unpacked and applied to various will be taken. In the first, students will learn to critically

these security threats.

Module 6

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF FEATURE ARTICLES This module focuses on the composition of the feature article. as the 5 Ws and H (who, when, where, why, what and how), also look at the use of interview quotes and the differences between summary exposition and narrative scenes. Students will learn about the building blocks of an article such establishing atmosphere and developing characters. They will

kinds of media publications. Two complementary approaches examine publications in order to assess their needs; in the second, they will gain insight into how they can generate stories starting from their own personal circumstances.

Tel: +27 21 447 7565 | Fax: +27 21 447 8344

Website: www.getsmarter.co.za | Email: info@getsmarter.co.za Page 3 of 6

FEATURE WRITING SHORT COURSE

Module 7
LANGUAGE AND STRUCTURE Students will examine a selection of classic feature story structures, with the focus being on writing effective lead-in

Module 9
JOURNALISTIC ETHICS Students will gain critical insight into a range of ethical issues commonly associated with journalism in general and feature writing in particular. This module will answer pertinent questions about the right to and the limitations of freedom

and closing paragraphs. The module will outline techniques for creating strong narrative threads and will give practical tips on tone, register and elements of structure.

of speech. It will also cover common problem areas such as invading privacy.

the reliability of eyewitness accounts, attributing sources and

Module 8
EDITING YOUR ARTICLE FOR STYLE AND CLARITY Students will learn how to edit their writing for improved style, They will learn how to approach their own writing objectively and create a distinctive style through editing. clarity and effect an indispensable part of the writing process.

Module 10
SELLING YOUR WRITING Students will gain expertise in analysing market opportunities for freelance feature writing, in addition to learning how to compose compelling, targeted pitches for their articles. This module will and in the exciting online space. It will also cover the different aspects of payment and copyright as well as what it means to work with an editor. expose students to opportunities both in traditional print media

Tel: +27 21 447 7565 | Fax: +27 21 447 8344

Website: www.getsmarter.co.za | Email: info@getsmarter.co.za Page 4 of 6

FEATURE WRITING SHORT COURSE

Who should attend

This course is suitable for first-time writers, current writers and anyone wanting to polish their writing skills. It is particular suited to current or aspiring journalists, copywriters, content developers, email marketers, sales consultants, content marketers, marketing and

How to register
Register online at www.getsmarter.co.za. Click Feature Writing on the left menu and then click Register for this course to complete the registration form.

media professionals, advertising professionals, and bloggers, as well as any business owner or entrepreneur wishing to offer or utilise feature writing services as part of their business.

Course delivery
The course is delivered through the unique GetSmarter Learning website. To ensure that you are able to maintain a work-life balance while completing the course, the content is divided into manageable weekly modules. On each Monday of the 10-week course, you

Entry Requirements
The only entry requirement for this course is a desire to learn and advance your

will receive one module to complete in your own time and at your own pace throughout the week. Each module consists of the following components: downloadable PDF course notes; assignment; and further reading and resources (optional). The Course Instructor, Andre video lectures; online discussion forum; online multiple-choice practice quiz; weekly module Wiesner will provide you with academic support through the online discussion forum for the duration of the course. A designated Course Coordinator will also be available on email and a way that it allows you to study anywhere and anytime, at your own pace. telephone to provide you with administrative support. The course has been designed in such

career; no prior knowledge of feature writing is needed. In order to do this course, you will need to:

Have a current email account  Have access to a computer  and the internet PDF documents Be able to open and read  Be able to create documents  in Microsoft Word language Read and write in the English 

Assessment and award of the certificate

The course is focused on teaching you practical, formal skills and techniques in writing feature articles. You are not required to write any exams. As this is a creative course, all assignments are assessed through a peer review process and are therefore not formally graded. You will need to complete and submit 10 practical assignments, which will be randomly and anonymously allocated to three of your fellow students for review. The guidance. You will need to complete all 10 assignments to receive the certificate as issued by the University of Cape Town. Course Instructor will also review each assignment and provide his expert advice and

Any course requirements that are for assessment purposes must be completed in English.

Course APPROVAL
This course is approved by the University of Cape Town. You will receive a certificate issued by the university once you have successfully completed the course. The course is GetSmarter is the first and only entirely online education company to be accredited by Africa. Institutional accreditation number: 3692. developed and presented by the University of Cape Town in partnership with GetSmarter. any SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) as a provider of education in South

About GetSmarter
GetSmarter is a premier online education company that partners with prestigious universities and leading organisations to offer continuing education short courses, undergraduate programmes, postgraduate programmes and customised business solutions.
Tel: +27 21 447 7565 | Fax: +27 21 447 8344

Website: www.getsmarter.co.za | Email: info@getsmarter.co.za Page 5 of 6

FEATURE WRITING SHORT COURSE

Payment details
PAymENT OpTIONS: 1.  Once-off payment

Contact us:
Should you have any queries, please contact Natalie at GetSmarter: Contact: Natalie 021 447 7565 021 447 8344

R9,390 by 2 May 2014

2.  Payment plan

R9,500, paid as follows:

First instalment: R3,200 by 2 May 2014

Second instalment: R3,200 by 30 May 2014 Third instalment: R3,100 by 27 June 2014

natalie@getsmarter.co.za

Payment methods
1. E  LECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) Please make use of your name and surname as a reference. 2. C  REDIT CARD (MASTERCARD AND VISA) Students will be contacted by telephone to obtain details.

Banking details
Account name: Bank: Branch: GetSmarter Claremont 025109 Standard Bank

Branch code: SWIFT Code:

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 07 251 0684 SBZAZAJJ

Tel: +27 21 447 7565 | Fax: +27 21 447 8344

Website: www.getsmarter.co.za | Email: info@getsmarter.co.za Page 6 of 6