Course Description
This course develops the skills necessary to write for magazines and industry-specific trade publications, and focuses specifically on writing feature articles. Students will obtain practical experience in analyzing publications, developing story ideas, submitting queries, interviewing and researching, and writing various types of articles. The course also prepares students with strategies for working as a freelance writer.
Course Content
- Analyze Genres
The student will:
- distinguish types of magazines and journals
- distinguish types of writing: profiles, service pieces, issue articles, personal experience features, cultural reviews, short features, long features
- Research Potential Markets
The student will:
- research the market for specific topics of potential interest to a specific editor
- review periodicals for editorial bias and style
- investigate and examine online magazines
- develop editorial profile
- Develop Text as Product
The student will:
- research audience-specific and genre-specific material
- learn and apply interviewing techniques used in writing feature articles
- produce outlines for various articles
- write
- short profile (approximately 500 words)
- short feature (800-1200 words)
- long feature (2000 - 2500 words)
- Work to Schedule and Deadlines
The student will:
- develop timelines and action plans to meet objectives
- develop prioritizing skills to meet deadlines
- utilize problem-solving strategies to meet objectives
- utilize skills necessary to maintain scheduling deadlines
- Evaluate Product
The student will:
- develop specific client-centred revision and editing strategies
- work collaboratively with other students to refine the written product
- provide editorial response to other students’ products
- Market the Product
The student will:
- produce general and specific query letters
- develop text for specific editorial markets
- utilize follow-up strategies
The student may also pursue professional publication of writing produced in this course.
- Freelance Writing
The student will:
- learn business and survival strategies for successful freelance writing
- develop an understanding of how writers and editors work together
- learn to use the terminology of the magazine publishing industry
- investigate aspects of online publishing possibilities
Learning Activities
The course will be conducted in a workshop format in order to facilitate student evaluation of manuscripts. There will also be professional guest speakers invited, as well as some field activities.
Means of Assessment
Evaluations will be based on this general outline:
| Magazine analysis |
5% |
| In-Class Participation |
20% |
| Query and Outline |
10% |
| Profile |
15% |
| Short Feature |
20% |
| Long Feature |
30% |
| |
100% |
Learning Outcomes
Students will develop the skills required for freelance and in-house writing for magazines and industry-specific trade publications, along with an awareness of related responsibilities. This will be accomplished by studying relevant examples and background information; developing various writing assignments, from idea to completion; and participating in in-class workshop discussions.
Textbook Materials
Students will be required to purchase a text which reinforces and expands on elements of preparing and writing magazine features as taught in class. For example:
- Blundell, William. Art and Craft of Feature Writing, Plume Pub., 1991.