Writing Features Articles and Becoming a Freelance Writer

So you've always aspired to be a freelance writer? And you want to develop your nose for news? Here's where you can begin your journey. Felix Cheong, award-winning poet and correspondent with Today and The Edge Singapore newspapers, will be your guide through the basics of journalism. Whether it's journalistic etiquette and conduct, preparing questions for and conducting interviews or how to write different kinds of articles, Felix will systematically take you through the process, using a multi-media approach. You'll also be invited to follow Felix on his professional assignments, whether he's conducting interviews, attending press lunches, conferences or screenings. The idea is for you to have a first- and look at how reporters go about their job. At the end of the course, you'd have learned how to write three kinds of features articles: Personality profile, trend and commentary and review.

Outline:

Different kinds of features writing.
What makes for good writing.
Style and target audience.
Research skills.
Eye for telling details.
Plagiarism.
Peg and hook.
Three-act structure of stories.
Writing personality profiles.
Drafting interview questions.
Interview skills.
How not to quote people out of context.
Writing trend and commentary.
Writing reviews.
Professional conduct and etiquette.
Pitching story ideas.
Becoming a freelance writer.