Welcome to the Basics of Feature Writing Course at SA Writers' College.

Want to write articles for print or online publications, from magazines and newsletters to webzines?

Being able to write an article that is interesting, factually accurate and that holds your reader’s attention is a fine art, and potentially a lucrative one too. We’ll teach you the tools you need to write articles, and give you the chance to polish your writing skills in 20 writing assignments with expert feedback from a professional feature writer.

The Basics of Feature Writing Course introduces you to the structure and format of feature articles, and teaches you how to write readable articles for print and web publications.

Topics include:

• What exactly is a feature article?
• How do print articles differ from articles for the Web, and how can you write for both?
• How to write compelling openers
• Twenty key tips to write the body of an article
• How to close your article in style

Course Details:

• Modules: 5 Modules  (a 140-page course manual)
• Duration: Course can be completed at own pace within three months
• Start date: At any time; applications all year round via our website

Student must complete:

• 20 writing exercises (assessment and feedback)
• 1 full-length article

Admission Requirements:

• Basic writing skills are essential
• Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required
• No previous tertiary qualification required

Tracey Hawthorne	Lisa Lazarus
Leonie Joubert	Karin Schimke

Course Curriculum

How does the course work?

Detailed class notes covering the content of each module are e-mailed to students.

At the end of each module, students will be required to complete writing exercises. In total, the course includes twenty short writing assignments, all of which count towards the final result of the student. This includes a full-length article.

Once the writing assignment has been completed, and e-mailed to the lecturer, an assessment and feedback will be sent to the student, and the module will be considered complete. Students can also participate in ongoing online discussions by posting comments about the materials covered in the course or other issues pertaining to writing in the college blog.

Conditions of Certification:

Students will receive an SA Writers' College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided they meet the following conditions:

• Students must have completed all 20 assignments
• The course must have been completed within three months of registration.
• Students are expected to attain a minimum average of 50% for the course

Minimum Estimated Time Commitment:

• Reading time: 10 hours
• Writing time: up to 20 hours
• Research time: 2 - 5 hours, depending on the complexity of the selected topic for article.