Further Information on the Blogging Course

The blogging course is a 20 hour self-study course consisting of ten lessons. They cover –

• Defining your blog
• Researching your niche
• Keywords
• Designing the ideal blog
• Presentation
• Business blogs I and II
• Freelance blogs
• Establishing social media, feeds and newsletters
• Marketing, Branding and Community Building

What Are the Advantages of Studying Digital Journalism with ACS Distance Education?

• You can start at any time to suit you.
• The courses are self-paced.
• You can study when and where suits you. They are flexible to fit in around you and your lifestyle.
• It is not just a course, it is a package of learning that includes – course notes, tutor feedback, self-assessment tests, research tasks and assignments.
• Our tutors are all experts in their field, with years of experience in writing.
• They are also keen and enthusiastic about their subject and enjoy working with students to improve their knowledge and skills.
• Courses are also updated regularly to meet the demands of the changing needs for knowledge and to keep our courses up to date.

DIGITAL JOURNALISTS NEED TO MASTER BOTH WORDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Many may aspire to success in this field because they have exceptional skills in writing; or exceptional skills with technology; but in reality, you need BOTH if you are to realize your full potential.

Writers who cannot master computer technology, will struggle in today's workplace. Similarly, I.T. professionals who aspire to be writers, will never succeed unless they can write in a controlled, clear, concise and focused way.

Inexperienced writers sometimes think they should use sophisticated words and long, complex sentences. They see this as the hallmark of good writing, yet this is not the case. Direct, simple sentences are more effective and more efficient than wordy, complex writing. 

Clarity in writing requires the use of easily understood and unambiguous language. Too often, the writer fails to get the message across because he or she has not used simple, clear wording to communicate his or her message. This can make the writing harder to read, and the intended meaning more difficult to identify; having said that, complex writing does have its place.

• Use words that are familiar to the intended and likely readers.
• If you want to elaborate on, or clarify, the meaning that you are giving to a word, put it into a context that makes its meaning clear. If necessary, state the meaning you intend.
• If you use an unfamiliar word, make its meaning clear in the same ways.

There are three main ways to clarify your meaning: illustrative context, glossing and defining.

Illustrative Context

The word is put into a context (or used in a way) that illustrates your intended meaning. For instance, the word ‘hot’ can have several different meanings, and can also name different degrees of hotness. Note how the meaning changes in the following sentences according to the different contexts.

Cindy thought Gavin was really hot.

It must have been thirty degrees and Cindy thought Gavin was really hot.

Cindy looked through the clothing catalogue to see what was hot.

Glossing

A gloss was originally a note in the margin to explain a word. Today we either use footnotes or put the note in brackets straight after the word being explained. We can also gloss by explaining our intended meaning within the sentence or just after it. For example: 

He wanted more autonomy – freedom to make decisions – in the project.

Defining

Defining involves identifying something in a way that distinguishes it from other things. For example: 

A beach ball is a large, usually very light and colourful ball that can be easily inflated and deflated.

Common Causes of Confusion

Confusion may be instigated through ambiguity as already discussed. There are some other causes though.

Homophones

These are words that are spelled differently but sound the same. Examples: 

• Complement and compliment
• Principle and principal 
• Stationary and stationery
• There and their

Malapropisms

These are words incorrectly used because they sound similar to the right words. Example: 
You can illiterate a common cold with rose hip syrup. (The correct word is ‘alleviate’). 

Colloquial Meanings

This is where established words are given meanings within some groups that are different to the literal or traditional meaning. Examples: 

Let’s catch up with the latest news. 

He is really slack and never gets things done.  

That new boy is awesome.

Jargon

Jargon is the specific language of a profession or field of enquiry. If you are addressing an audience of medical doctors you shouldn't rely on language which is familiar to computer scientists. Ensure the jargon you use is appropriate to the audience, and don't overuse it.

Clichés

These are 'well-worn' phrases, or words, which are usually outdated and demonstrate poor imagination as well as potentially causing confusion (if the reader is unfamiliar with them). They have no place in technical writing. 

Euphemisms

These are words or phrases used to make a point which are supposedly less offensive than the actual word or phrase. With technical writing, in particular,  you must write exactly what you mean and not disguise the true meaning.  

What Next?

Digital journalism is a massive industry with countless opportunities in eBooks, websites, blogs, digital marketing, content creation and more.

If you would like to start a career in digital journalism writing or improve your existing skills, this certificate will help you to become a more rounded and skilful journalist. Work with our tutors to develop your journalistic writing skills.

You can enrol today by clicking the “Enrol Now” button above.

Or

Click here to Contact a Writing Tutor.

Or Request a Prospectus Here.