2 classes | 7 hours per class
This course is aimed at people who write material for publishing on Internet sites or those needing to convert printed publications to web publications.
It includes detailed workshops on planning a website, writing styles for the web, how to target your audience, understanding digital media, using images, converting print publications to web publications and some fundamentals of design for presenting written content.
Presenter
The course lecturer Marcus O'Donnell has over 15 years experience working as a journalist and editor. Marcus previously lectured in journalism at UTS and currently lectures at the University of Wollongong. He has a special interest in writing for the web and has worked with designers, technicians and writers for large and small web sites.
Enrolment
Dates
- Enrol now: 23 + 24 April, Tuesday and Wednesday 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Enrol now: 25 + 26 July, Thursday and Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Enrol now: 21 + 22 November, Thursday and Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm
Fees: $850 full fee, ACIJ members $765, $650 concession (students and low income), UTS staff/students $585
Places available: 14
Location: UTS Bon Marche Building 3, Level 4 Room 39 (map)
To discuss this course or for more information please contact acij@uts.edu.au or call +61 2 9514 2488.
Course outline
- Day 1
- Introduction: Who is your audience? Participant requirements discussed.
- How users read on the Web. What we already know, what research tells us. Hands-on exercises with examples and feedback.
- Understanding digital media. Constructing non-linear narrative: the implications for writers and users.
- What is hypertext? Converting linear texts to non-linear. Hands-on exercises with examples and feedback.
- Print to web. Converting print publications to web publications and what to look for.
- Hands-on exercises.
- Day 2
- Designing Web usability: Readability and font usage, using images.
- Writing content: Headlines, titles, captions, email and rollovers. Hands-on exercises with examples and feedback.
- Planning a web site. Bringing the elements together. Tying print to the web. Hands-on exercises with examples and feedback.
- Wrap up: Questions, answers and evaluation.
Testimonials
"I was very pleased with the hands-on nature of the course and the way in which concepts were related back to our circumstances/website." Student (July 2012)
"It was a practical and well presented course. We learned through writing and exploring other websites." A. Neilsen (July 2012)
"The resources were comprehensive and the course covered diverse materials." Student (July 2012)
"I liked the practical exercises and the materials to take home plus the discussion." N. Egan (July 2012)
"My head is now filled with key and useful information that I can take back to my company but also use for my own personal freelance needs. It's also given me more confidence to engage in the online world." Y. Noone (June 2012)
"Practical activities helped to reinforce the theoretical components of the course. It was good to put into action what we were learning." Ben Wyld, Department of Education and Training - Corporate Communication
"Thank you for an inspiring and thought provoking two days! I really enjoyed it." Anne Galimi, Communications Officer, NSW Commission for Children and Young People
"I thought the course was very practical and enabled me to take back practical solutions back to my workplace." Christine St Anne, Editor, Morningstar Media
"I enjoyed this course - I learnt a lot. Marcus made sure to mention blogging - which I was interested in. I also realised that when I changed articles - edited etc I was editing for print and not the web. So it's another step on-top of writing for a particular audience - you have to remember to tailor it for the web." Suganthi Singarayar, Tutor
"Good balance of 'theory' and exercises. Excellent take-home resources for further reading, case-studies, etc." Claire Saunders, Communications Officer
"I've found the course practical and interesting - I'll be re-writing much of the content of the website I'm involved in." Coral Cooksley, Marketing and Communications Officer
"Very relevant to the industry, particularly in production - it's amazing how glossed over web writing is in the web industry." Hoi Fung Ho, Interactive Designer
"Great course. Wish I had done it prior to our web redevelopment. Great resources to take home and use. Good mix of instruction, discussion and practical exercises." Jenny Donovan, Marketing and External Liaison Manager
"I thought the course was very practical and enabled me to take back practical solutions to my workplace." Christine St Anne, Editor
"Practical activities helped to reinforce the theoretical components of the course. It was good to put into action what we were learning." Ben Wyld, Journalist
