| Students
Freelance Writing
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXTENSION,
IRVINE
ENGLISH X452
REQUIRED
READING
HANDBOOK FOR FREELANCE WRITING
Proven Strategies and Real-World Advice
on Every Aspect of a Freelance Writing Career
by Michael Perry
NTC/Contemporary Publishing Group, Lincolnwood,
Chicago, Copyright 1998
ISNB# 0-8442-3256-4
Upon
completing this course, students should
be able to:
1.
Generate a marketable story idea,
write a compelling query letter, and target
the appropriate editor/magazine.
2.
Know how to professionally present material
by using fiction writing techniques in
a non-fiction format.
3.
Approach editors and cultivate
their support for assignments.
4.
Distinguish between writing for
a business-to-business publication and
a general consumer publication, and identify
how much each market pays.
5.
Take personal inventory of assets
and liabilities, experiences, finances
and personality to find a niche in the
freelance market.
Evaluation of the student will be based
upon the following items:
1.
Executing a pre-writing strategy for potential
freelance articles.
2.
Writing original query letters
and magazine articles.
3.
Answering questions and assessing orally
and in writing the writing of others in
peer evaluation groups formed in class.
4.
Editing final drafts of original
writing to prepare for submission.
Your final grade will be calculated based
on the following:
1.
Written Assignments 80% of final grade
2.
Class Participation 20% of final grade
CLASS ONE
Topic: Goals and Objectives—Interactive
workshop about each student’s class
expectations and career goals. Tips for
beginners and how to get started.
CLASS
TWO
Topic: Marketing Story Ideas—Class
discussion on how to generate a marketable
story idea. This is a lot harder than it
sounds. Most writers struggle to find that
one unique story angle that will interest
an editor. In-class exercises and critiquing
session will allow students to present their
story ideas.
CLASS
THREE
Topic: Research Techniques—Research
is often the last thing freelance writer’s
think about. This class will focus on research
techniques, how to use the Web to track
down information, and how to mold the research
into a marketable story idea.
CLASS
FOUR
Topic: Query Letters—Students
will learn how to write a compelling query
letter and target the appropriate editor/magazine.
In-class exercises and critiquing session.
CLASS
FIVE
Topic: Story Structure I—Class
discussion on how to structure a story and
how to write effective copy for an editor.
Emphasis on how to use fiction writing techniques
in a non-fiction format.
CLASS
SIX
Topic: Story Structure II—Class
discussion continues on how to structure
a story and how to write effective copy
for an editor. Also, how to write for the
Web.
CLASS
SEVEN
Topic: B-to-B vs. General Consumer—Students
will learn how to approach editors and cultivate
their support for future assignments. Class
discussion on the difference between writing
for a business-to-business publication and
writing for a general consumer publication,
and how much each market pays. Also, students
will have the opportunity to bring their
query letters/magazine articles to class
for review.
CLASS
EIGHT
Topic: Assets and Liabilities—Interactive
class where students will take personal
inventory of assets and liabilities, experiences,
finances and personality to find a niche
in the freelance market. Also, students
will have the opportunity to bring their
query letters/magazine articles to class
for review.
CLASS
NINE
Topic: Prospecting and Self-Promotion—Freelancers
often forget to prospect for future assignments,
and to promote themselves and their work.
This aspect of a freelancer’s career
often takes up just as much time as the
writing. Class discussion on how much time
should be spent marketing and selling, and
how to promote yourself. Also, students
will have the opportunity to bring their
query letters/magazine articles to class
for review.
CLASS
TEN
Topic: The Business of Writing—A
freelance writer must know how to run a
business that specializes in writing—usually
but not always from home. This class will
focus on running specific aspects of a freelance
writing career. Also, students will have
the opportunity to bring their query letters/magazine
articles to class for review.
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