This full-day course boils down the essentials of journalism into a jam-packed day that could give your career a serious boost. A panel of senior Guardian journalists provides a no-nonsense, practical guide to the skills you need to get ahead in the industry. You'll overhaul your writing skills, learn what editors want and how to pitch to them, and get an innovative look at how digital advances and open journalism have changed the nature of what an article can be.
Featuring talks from leading Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee, senior Guardian feature writer Jon Henley and former Comment editor Becky Gardiner, it's an event that budding journalists just can't afford to miss. You'll learn the essentials of column-writing, how to write pitch emails to editors, and how to use social media and interactives to tell compelling stories. You'll also receive advice on how to meet deadlines and keep your writing and content fresh, as well as how to raise issues that are important to you and your readers.
This course is for you if …
- You're starting out as a journalist or blogger and want a grounding in the skills and tools you need to prepare yourself to write and pitch
- You currently run or write for a blog covering news or culture and want to produce more polished, professional content
- You're considering moving into journalism and want a better understanding of what the job entails
- You're a working journalist and want an overview of best practice and editorial priorities from major industry figures
Course description
The day takes the form of a series of talks from some of the Guardian's most senior contributors to give attendees a rounded picture of how to operate in 21st-century journalism. Subjects covered on the day include:
- Polly Toynbee on how to write a column and raise important issues through your writing
- Jon Henley on new ways of storytelling using social media and interactive multimedia
- Becky Gardiner on how to turn your idea into a compelling pitch and send it to editors
Tutor profiles
Polly Toynbee is a columnist for the Guardian. She was formerly BBC social affairs editor, columnist and associate editor of the Independent, co-editor of the Washington Monthly and a reporter and feature writer for the Observer. She won the Orwell Prize for journalism in 1998 and in 2007 was named 'Columnist of the Year' at the British Press Awards.
Jon Henley is a senior Guardian feature writer responsible for the acclaimed series Greece on the Breadline and groundbreaking, multi-award-winning multimedia interactive Firestorm. Over a 20-year career at the Guardian, Jon has reported from more than 30 countries and all five continents, including a 10-year stint as the paper's chief Paris correspondent. Read Jon's Guardian articles here.
Becky Gardiner joined the Guardian in 1998 as Women's editor. She was Comment editor from 2010 until April this year, and has held a number of other positions including Education editor, deputy editor of G2 and launch editor of Family. Becky recently left the Guardian and is now a senior lecturer, teaching journalism at Goldsmiths university.
One more speaker to be announced
Book now
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Details
Date: Sunday 18 January 2015
Times: 10am-4pm. Check-in begins 30 minutes before start time.
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Prices: £129 (includes VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 100
Dress code: There is no dress code for Masterclasses. Please dress however you feel comfortable.
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
