Main topics of study:

Feature Articles:

• What are Feature Articles?
• Checklist for Success

Dealing with Editors:

• Stages in Article Writing
• From Idea to Market
• Studying Markets
• Commissioning Policies
• Approaching Editors
• Organising the Assignment
• Research Methods

Writing Process:

• Outlines
• Writing Up Methods
• Presentation
• Dealing with Rejection

Identifying Ideas:

• What Makes a Good Idea
• Finding the Angle

Article Type & Markets:

• Types in Demand
• Finding a Theme
• Linking and Idea to the Market
• National & Local Newspaper Markets
• Magazines

Getting Organised:

• Working Routine
• Organising the Information
• Organising for Business

Planning Your Assignment:

• The Argument
• Outline
• Analysis
• Title
• Introduction
• Ending
• Body
• Anecdotes & Quotes

Research:

• News Value
• Developing Contacts
• Interview Sources

Illustrations:

• Subjects
• Which Markets
• Working with a Photographer
• Taking Your Own Pictures
• Picture Research
• Graphics
• Captions
• Preparation & Submission

Developing Writing Techniques:

• Good Writing Skills
• Making Words Work
• Sentences & Paragraphs
• Description & Narration
• Argument
• House Style
• Developing Your Style

Profile & Interview Features:

• Choosing Interviewees
• Background
• Preparing Questions
• Debating Style
• Making Notes
• Editing the Transcript
• Writing Up
• Aim of Profiles

Writing a Column:

• Becoming a Columnist
• Content & Topicality
• Styles
• Specialist Columns

Reviewing:

• Role of the Reviewer
• Types of Reviewing
• Language of Compression

Features Department:

• Set-Up
• Departmental Output
• Backgrounders & Situationers
• Follow Ups & Spin Offs
• Interpretations
• Leaders & Opinion Pieces
• Investigations
• Show Business & Ghosting
• Serialisations
• Women & Family Matters
• Reader Involvement

Expanding Your Market:

• Fillers
• Writing for Business Organisations
• Overseas Markets
• Syndication

Openings in Advertising & Publicity:

• Scope for Journalists
• Advertising Copywriting
• Direct Mail
• Press Release
• Feature Articles & Advertorials

Writing as a Specialist:

• Marketing Strategy
• Content
• Right Language
• Shape
• Research & Fact Checking

World of Publishing:

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Planning Ahead
• Deadlines
• Editing & Presentation

Writing into the Future:

• New Technology

Reading List

Main Text:
Writing Feature Articles - Brendan Hennessy (Focal Press)

Alternative Texts and Further Reading:
The Business of Freelancing - Graham Jones (BFP Books)
Writing to Win - Mel Lewis (McGraw Hill)