subject: Is A Journalism Course Online Going To Help You Become An Improved Writer? [print this page] Many people dream of becoming a writer for their full time job. The idea of it is indeed enviable, however, it is not an easy role to fall into. Plenty of writers are accomplished academics, having studied for years at university. But there are as many writers who are successful by their sheer talent. Either kind of writer - and any in between - might be interested in taking some form of writing or journalism course online to help them progress, but are these courses worth your time and money? Will they help you become a writer?
Look closely at the course content
A great course will really help you develop as a writer, however these courses can be expensive. Cheaper courses may not be of the same calibre, so do look carefully at what your course entails. Do you get quality feedback? Who will your tutors be? You'd hope that they would be published writers themselves, although this is not always the case. If so, how are they qualified to give you feedback?
Watch out for scams
There are a few scams out there which claim to give you your course fees back if you don't make a certain amount of money from writing in your first year. However, sometimes the material they give you is too complex to follow or intended to make you fail, such as asking for 20,000 word critique on an obscure topic for one of your first assignments. These scams rely on the fact that most people are willing to accept that they have failed rather than claim that the course is poorly coordinated.
What can I do instead of taking a course?
Often, experience counts for more than qualifications, so why not try to approach some online webzines and ask if you can contribute to them? For instance, if you like the idea of becoming a music journalist, search for some red hot music reviews websites on Google and see what pops up. Email the editor or webmaster asking if you can write for them. You may not get paid, but you will build up a portfolio and make contacts with key industry people, instead of spending money on a journalism course online.
by: Kathy McGuinness
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