Online Class: Nonfiction Writing 101
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13Lessons
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25Exams &
Assignments -
9Hours
average time -
0.9CEUs
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Video Audit
Available
Course Description
Mastering the Craft of Nonfiction Writing
In a world oversaturated with information, the art of nonfiction writing stands as a testament to the pursuit of truth, authenticity, and in-depth exploration of experiences and events. From the comprehensive histories penned by biographers to the daily news snippets curated by journalists, nonfiction embodies an expansive spectrum of writing that roots itself in verifiable reality.
Recent data suggests that the consumption of nonfiction content, particularly online, has seen a surge with the growing demand for genuine, insightful, and well-researched information. In such a climate, equipping oneself with superior nonfiction writing skills can be a game-changer.
Welcome to our advanced course in nonfiction writing, where we endeavor to hone your skills beyond rudimentary levels, readying you for the competitive world of content creation and publishing. This course delves deep into not just the 'how' but also the 'why' of nonfiction writing, ensuring a holistic learning experience.
Lesson 1: The Editor's Perspective
Before pen meets paper, learn the mindset of an editor. Understand the nuances of content selection, quality control, and reader engagement from an editorial vantage point.
Lesson 2: Deciphering the Format
Is it an article, a project, or a book you wish to write? Determine the ideal format for your content based on its length, depth, and target audience.
Lesson 3: Crafting the Perfect Subject & Title
Discover techniques to select compelling subjects, design captivating titles, and engage your reader from the get-go.
Lesson 4: In-depth Research
Good nonfiction is grounded in thorough research. Acquaint yourself with tools, methodologies, and ethics in collecting and presenting information.
Lesson 5: Scouting the Competition
In a competitive landscape, understanding what others are doing can give you an edge. Learn to analyze the market and identify gaps you can fill with your unique perspective.
Lesson 6: Building Structure
Organize your thoughts coherently. Grasp the principles of logical flow, chapter divisions, and maintaining a consistent tone throughout your work.
Lesson 7: Embrace the Writer Within
Delve into the psychology of writing. Explore personal barriers, understand your writing style, and celebrate the unique voice you bring to the table.
Lesson 8: Conquering Writer’s Block
Stagnation hits the best of us. Unearth strategies to rejuvenate your creativity, maintain momentum, and ensure consistent progress in your writing journey.
Lesson 9: Rhythmic Writing
Good writing resonates. Unravel the art of pacing, tone variation, and how to revise content to maximize impact and readability.
Lesson 10: Technical Perfection
No content shines without impeccable grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Reinforce your command over the language, ensuring clarity and precision.
Lesson 11: The Editing Mantra
The first draft is just the beginning. Immerse in iterative editing processes, refining content to mirror publishing standards.
Lesson 12: Upholding Authenticity
Nonfiction's essence lies in its truthfulness. Grasp the importance of fact-checking, sourcing, and proper notation to uphold your credibility.
Lesson 13: The Final Presentation
Once written, the presentation is paramount. Learn about layout decisions, spacing nuances, and formatting techniques to ensure your work is not just well-written but also well-presented.
In essence, this course promises not just to teach you nonfiction writing, but to immerse you in its universe. By its culmination, you should not only be adept at creating compelling content but also be well-versed in presenting it to publishers and readers alike. Remember, the essence of a writer lies in writing. So, let's dive in and start crafting!
Course Motivation
Your Subject and Your Treatment of Your Subject
The Marketability of Your Subject
Remember, the editor you submit your book or article to will look at the marketability of the subject. How broadly will the book hit public interest? How specialized and in demand is the subject? How specialized and small is the market? Does the writer bring a fresh and unique treatment to their subject? Do they touch on a concern that has been overlooked or ignored? Make your treatment of the subject one that increases your book's marketability.
Core Buyers
How Broad is Your Market?
For example, if you are writing a nonfiction article on art history, you may want to broaden your market by writing on a specific or obscure local artist that impacted the regional art sensibilities in a permanent or a trendy way. By choosing your subject with such concerns you accomplish some important marketing needs of your editor. You are selecting a broad market, art history, and you are specializing at the same time. This is a powerful combination that editors appreciate because it helps eliminate their concerns for a broad appeal. In taking this approach, your editor knows that they can market broadly to local, regional, and national niches of art lovers. You have your editor's attention and interest.
Buyer Value
When you tackle your subject with freshness and authority, then you are adding value to the buyer. You are giving the editor a good ROI for the money he pays you and the reader feels that he or she has spent their time (and possibly money) well. If the editor or reader does not have a sense of added value when they read your article, then you will likely not receive a contract.
Course Lessons
Lesson 1: Before You Start, Think Like An Editor
To do anything well in life you must begin by knowing what the critics of your work will object to, what they will turn away from, and what they will buy. Nonfiction writing is no different.Lesson 2: Article, Project, or Book?
Before you begin writing you must have a clear understanding of what type of writing you are setting out to accomplish. This is far more important in nonfiction writing than in fiction or creative writing.Lesson 3: Subject, Title, and Subtitles
In order for your work to make sense, you must limit or draw boundaries around a portion or niche of your subject matter. If you have no boundaries or niche, then your writing becomes ineffective and does not accomplish your intent or persuasively convey your thesis.Lesson 4: Researching Your Subject
This lesson is about the references and material available to you to properly write about your subject.Lesson 5: Reviewing Your Competition
Before you bid on a nonfiction writing project and before you begin writing your material, you must review your competition.Lesson 6: Structure and Organization
It doesn't matter how bright or educated you are, if you cannot keep your manuscript together so that others can easily understand it when they read, then you are not producing salable nonfiction work.Lesson 7: Writers Write; Getting Comfy in Your Own Skin
When you are comfortable with yourself, and as a writer, your personal writing style will flow naturally. The best way to get there is to practice your art.Lesson 8: Get to the Finish Line; What to Do When You Hit a Block
As an editor, one of the questions I am most often asked is, "How do I get my work finished?" This question is common, especially among new or first time writers.Lesson 9: Rewriting and Rhythm; Polishing for Your Audience
As an editor, one of the first things I tell writers is to consider your audience. Always consider your reading audience.Lesson 10: Spelling, Grammar, and Proper Punctuation
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are important finishing touches that will make the difference in whether your manuscript gets off of the editor's desk to the press or into the "never" basket.Lesson 11: Edit and Edit Again
While the nonfiction writer must be prepared for the inevitable changes to his or her manuscript when submitting to an editor or client, it is of utmost importance to edit your work before submission.Lesson 12: Fact Checking and Proper Notation
If you do not get your facts correct, then you lose credibility as a nonfiction writer and you soon become someone that editors and publishers are not interested in publishing.Lesson 13: Layout, Proper Spacing, and Format - Your Finished Product
While it is easy to understand the intention, most editors and clients want the finished product delivered in a very plain form. The reasons have to do with publishing rather than your manuscript's content.
Learning Outcomes
- Summarize how to think like an editor.
- Define article, project and book.
- Identify subject, title and subtitles.
- Research your subject.
- Review your competition.
- Identify structure and organization.
- Write.
- Summarize what to do when you hit a block.
- Identify what needs to be polished for your audience.
- Perform spelling and grammar check.
- Edit and edit again.
- Fact check and provide proper notation.
- Demonstrate layout, proper spacing and format, and submit your finished product.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information
- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Student Testimonials
- "So far she is my favorite instructor on Universal class. Her classes are packed with very informative lessons. Nothing is fluff." -- Erin C.
- "The course give me valuable information concerning how professional writing is done; how to please an editor, how to displease an editor, where to look for potential markets, developing a rhythm in writing ,using headings and subheadings to hold a reader's interest, etc. Most of the lessons, I realize, will be most valuable in use as reference materials. I wish to thank the instructor for an enjoyable class. I plan to take more from her. I would recommend her highly to friends planning to take courses in this area." -- Bill M.
- "Very helpful instructor." -- Tracy C.
- "This course was great." -- Janet M.
- "The various lessons were very helpful in gaining knowledge about writing." -- Tenika J.
- "I liked how the instructor didn't just grade the assignments, but gave comments about my work. She seemed very knowledgeable in the subject. I will be taking other classes from Universal." -- Laura V.
- "The lesson material and the related links were most helpful. I liked the condensed comprehensive lessons, they contained essential information without being overwhelming. The links contained excellent resources that I can use any time. The lessons were well thought out and flowed in a logical manner and was very useful. The instructor was prompt in marking." -- Dyanne C.
- "The instructor gave excellent advice and was very knowledgeable and helpful. The entire course was helpful; learning everything to get started with nonfiction writing; how to succeed at it. Lots of excellent advice; extremely helpful." -- Heather P.
- "What a great teacher for this class, I thought." -- S. Marie V.
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