Publishing And Journalism Home Study Course
- Study the Advanced Certificate in Publishing and Journalism by Distance Learning for a career in the publishing industry.
"I commenced the Creative Writing Course with the ACS having had no prior experience in this field whatsoever.
Having always been in accounting or payroll jobs, I decided to give the course a go.The course demonstrated to me what I enjoyed writing about, the types of writing I was good at, and not so good at. It broadened my horizon to show me what was out there to write about. It gave me knowledge and confidence. I have continued to write, and in the future want to commence with the next course, but in the meantime, I have submitted various articles of mine to some magazines and have had nothing but positive feedback from all the editors and some of my work is to be published!! Which I personally feel is fantastic as I have only been doing this for a year or so. Thank you for opening up a whole new world of creativity to me which I can only enhance upon!!"
- Jo
CORE MODULES
1. Office Practices
Develops basic office skills covering the use of equipment, communication systems (telephone, fax, etc) and office procedures such as filing, security, workplace organisations, etc.
2. Business Operations
Develops knowledge of basic business operations and procedures (eg. types of businesses, financial management, business analysis, staffing, productivity, etc) and the skills to develop a 12 month business plan.
3. Management
Develops knowledge of management structures, terminology, supervision, recruitment and workplace health and safety.
4. Marketing Foundations
Develops a broad understanding of marketing and specific skills in writing advertisements, undertaking market research, developing an appropriate marketing plan and selling.
STREAM STUDIES
1. Publishing I
There are ten lessons as outlined below:
1. The Publishing World
Nature & scope of publishing, types of publishers, how books are published, market research.
2. Publishing Procedures & Techniques
Colour or black & white; film or digital imaging, types of printing, alternative ways of doing layout (eg. typesetting, paste up, electronic layout with Adobe products or MS publisher), comparing types of digital graphic files, printing costs, etc.
3. Desktop Publishing
Word Processing, Alternative publishing methods: Printing on a Computer Printer; Supplying a "Master" to a commercial printer, or plublishing electronically (eg. Internet or CD).
4. Desktop Publishing
Software options, use of colour, black and white, use of graphics, putting it together, etc.
5. Illustration
Graphics, Line illustrations, cartoons, photos etc. Freehand work, Computer graphics, etc.
6. Illustration
Photography, Photographic Equipment & Materials; Composition; Development of Photographic Style Portraiture, Posing for Photographs, Planning a Photo Session, Studio Photography, Fault Finding, etc.
7. Researching
Types of Research (Exploratory, Experimental etc), Primary & Secondary Data sources, Planning a survey, Conducting an interview.
8. Marketing in Publishing
Understanding marketing & publicity –what makes a publication succeed or fail, launches, press releases, etc.
9. Publishing
Ethics & The Law, Public attitudes, accuracy of writing, bias, monopolies, media ownership concerns, etc.
2. Freelance Writing
The ten lessons cover:
1. Introduction to freelancing
Scope of freelance writing (types of writing, where to begin, styles, etc). Getting help, finding resources, contacts and understanding industry terminology.
2. Basic writing skills
What is communication, types of communication, types of language, clear wording, concise wording, parts of speech, grammar, punctuation.
3. The publishing world
Periodicals, books, remaindering, copyright, publishers advertising conditions, public lending rights, contracts, selling.
4. Manuscripts
Types of printing, preparing a type script, etc.
5. Planning what you write
Mechanics of writing, developing an idea, sentence structure, precis, planning what you write, building a paragraph.
6. Newspaper writing
Newspapers, regular columns, fillers, short features, etc.
7. Magazine writing
Travel writing, magazine articles/features, determining potentially marketable articles.
8. Writing books
Non fiction, fiction, short stories, determining what to write and developing an idea.
9. Writing advertising
Writing a press release, writing an advertisement, writing for public relations, etc.
10. Special project
Planning and developing a manuscript for a small book.
3. Editing I
There are eight lessons as follows:
1. Introduction to Editing – the role and scope of editing; tools for editing; editing skills; the production process: an overview; who does what in publishing
2. The Mechanics of Clear Writing – spelling, punctuation, grammar, language; style; tense
3. Assessing Manuscripts – readability; word length; structure; consistencies and inaccuracies; the reader’s report; substantive editing; the author’s responsibilities; the author/editor relationship
4. Copy Editing I – what the copy editor does; the procedure; house style; style sheets.
5. Copy Editing II – marking up; parts of a publication; editing non-text material; illustrations
6. Preparing Copy for Printing – type design and page layout; proof stages
7. Proof Reading
8. The Final Stages – indexes; blurbs; checking final proofs
WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE
Here are some examples of the type of thing you will do:
- Plan and write at least 3 major articles and one short story manuscript.
- Analyse at least 15 articles.
- Survey the scope and current status of the publishing industry and interpret a range of indicators to the viability of different existing or proposed publications.
- Explain the publishing industry, the procedures (stages) in bringing a publication to print and the different people (& jobs) involved.
- Explain how to present a manuscript to a publisher.
- List the differences between audiences for different types of publications.
- Explain the differences between types of writing required for newspaper publishing compared with magazine or book.
- Prepare or select appropriate illustrations (graphic or photographic) for publishing.
- Explain the processes involved in the production and use of these illustrations.
- Conduct and report on several interviews.
- Take a number of photographs with the intention to use them to illustrate a publication.
- Plan the contents and publishing procedure for ten (10) different types of articles.
- Plan the contents and publication of a small book, booklet or magazine.
- List the scope of statistical information available through government agencies and report on the relevance of such information to the publishing industry.
- Write copy for ten (10) different advertisements and five (5) different promotional leaflets or brochures.
- Design the layout for two promotional brochures, and determine the cost of typesetting, paste up and printing each.
- Compare the scope and nature of business conducted by four (4) different publishers.
- Plan and determine costs for the publication of a new newspaper, newsletter or magazine.
- Use prescribed reference books and other resources to gain relevant information.
There are four core units ie. Management, Office Practices, Business Operations and Marketing Foundations. A further three units cover publishing and writing. A workplace project on the publishing industry involves the final 200 hrs of study.
Professional writing skills are nurtured and developed throughout the course. Writers are both employed (eg. by publishers and advertizing companies), and work freelance. The publishing industry is much more than just writing. It employs editors, graphics technicians, photographers, artists, salesmen, clerks and managers. You learn about the whole industry; and lay a foundation to develop more specialised skills if you so choose.
Why Study the Course?
This is a great course to choose, if you want to not only learn about the subject now;
but keep learning after you finish studying. We believe a good course should not only
develop intelligence and knowledge; but also:
- Improve your ability to communicate with others within the discipline
- Develop problem solving skills relevant to this discipline
- Expand awareness and develop creativity
- Facilitate networking (develop contacts within an industry)
- Develop attributes that set you apart from others in your industry
- Motivate you, build confidence, and more
According to some authorities, success is actually only affected about 20% by your knowledge and intelligence.
Our school works at helping you in a holistic way, to develop all of the things
mentioned above, in a way that relates to the discipline you are studying; and
in this way, giving you the capacity to apply yourself to unanticipated problems,
to understand new information as it emerges, to see and seize on new opportunities
as they reveal themselves, and to continue to grow your abilities within your discipline
as you progress through life after study.
In a world that is changing faster all the time; it is difficult to even be certain how this industry
might change between the start of your course, and the time you finish studying.
With this in mind; any course that is to have long term value in today's world, must develop
broad generic skills (as above). This approach to education is not unique to ACS, but it is
an approach tested, proven and adopted in our courses; and an approach that is also used
by some of the most successful, cutting edge universities and colleges around the world.
VISIT OUR E BOOK PUBLISHING SITE
and see books published by ACS Publishing, written by staff of this school
http://www.acsebook.com/
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
