Distance learning is the ideal solution for anyone wanting to train as a news journalist, features writer, freelance writer or creative writer without having to juggle an existing career or other commitments. Simply by studying at home and corresponding regularly with your tutor you can set yourself on the path to knowledge and success - all while working at your own pace.

This popular, practical course gives writers of all ages the skills and confidence they need to get into print - and get paid for it. We aim to give students a thorough grounding in all aspects of freelance journalism: identifying subjects and potential outlets for saleable articles, making contacts and carrying out interviews, writing and selling news and features stories for publication and broadcast, understanding what readers want and dealing with editors. As well as providing all the essential "know-how" required to get started as a freelance, tutors actively encourage students to research markets and submit items for publication with the aim of ensuring that many are able to see their work in print by the time they complete the course.

Lesson 1 - Starting Out In Journalism

What makes a good journalist? The real world of journalism - the myths and realities, the responsibilities and the ethics of the profession. A brief look at the way in which the British Press has evolved and an analysis of different categories of newspapers and magazines. Ten key elements which affect students' ability to get their work published.

Assessment tasks include:
• identifying personal aims, skills and experience
• researching potential markets and target readership

Lesson 2 - Readers And Markets

Students analyse what readers and editors want, assess the scope for getting material published and learn the importance of researching potential markets for saleable articles. They find out how to present manuscripts professionally, common grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors to avoid and what is meant by 'house style' and 'newspaper English'.

Assessment tasks include:
• rewriting poorly written copy
• conducting a detailed readership profile

Lesson 3 - What Is News?

Students learn how to develop a strong news sense and recognise the different factors which dictate the strength and prominence of published stories. They explore the practical process of newsgathering, how to make contacts and identify and follow up story leads. There is also an introduction to the opportunities for freelance contributions in the field of sports journalism.

Assessment tasks include:
• writing a report of a real news or sporting event

Lesson 4 - Writing Features

Even experienced newspaper reporters do not always find it easy to adapt to the different structure and style required in a features article. Students explore the difference in approach, focus on the importance of interviews in features writing and learn how to adapt the tone and style of their writing to different categories of subject matter. Topical news features are dealt with in detail.

Assessment tasks include:
• comparing the merits of published news features and personal profiles

Lesson 5 - More About Features

Students progress to in-depth features profiles and learn how to conduct successful face-to-face interviews. The format and purpose of standfirsts is explained, along with different ways of introducing features to play up a strong news angle or maximise the story's human interest element. Storytelling, eyewitness and offbeat approaches are explored.

Assessment tasks include
• tackling a 600-800 word in-depth features profile

Lesson 6 - Specialist Writing

Students learn about the work undertaken by a cross-section of specialist newspaper writers and the specific skills and qualities required in each area. From motoring journalists to gossip writers, from political columnists to critics, sports writers and photo-journalists, this is the world of the expert and the committed enthusiast, where dedication and determination are required to make it to the top.

Assessment tasks include
:• writing a book, film or TV review
• tackling a specialist column or feature

Lesson 7 - Directing Your Writing

Students look in depth at ways of developing ideas into saleable articles and at some of the subjects which provide most scope for freelance contributors. They also learn some basic guidelines to follow in producing articles for publication.

Assessment tasks include:
• comparing different newspaper and magazine outlets
• outlining a proposed treatment for a saleable article

Lesson 8 - Journalists And The Law

Journalists must know when the law restricts what they can write and how they can avoid costly legal action. The buck stops where? Students learn about the dangers of libel and other pitfalls; qualified privilege and unintentional defamation; criminal libel; and the need for fairness and accuracy. Restrictions on court reporting are explained, along with the dangers of contempt of court when matters are sub judice, the Official Secrets Act and what it entails, the rights of the Press and a brief look at copyright.

Assessment tasks include:
• reviewing passages for libellous content
• producing a safe, fair and accurate crime report

Lesson 9 - Successful Packages

Students learn how to develop saleable ideas from the most unlikely sources and how to research their finished articles. They explore how to 'package' intriguing and attractive ideas for newspapers and magazines, and the ground rules for successfully dealing with editors.

Assessment tasks include:
• identifying ideas for saleable articles
• writing an 800-word feature or news item

Lesson 10 - More About Markets

Students are now in a position to accurately analyse how to produce and sell articles targeted at different markets, from the regional and national press to mass market and specialist magazines and trade and technical publications.

Assessment tasks include:
• writing articles for different markets

Lesson 11 - Television And Radio

Students examine differences in approach between broadcast and print journalism and learn the writing requirements of various radio and television outlets. Markets are explored in detail, with advice on how to develop treatments and final scripts for broadcast.

Assessment tasks include:
• writing a short radio script
• outlining a treatment for a television documentary or feature

Lesson 12 - Going It Alone

The final lesson gives students the vital preparation required to launch their freelance writing careers, whether on a part- or full-time basis. A questionnaire and detailed revision notes provide an opportunity to tie up any loose ends in their training, while businesslike advice about record-keeping and administration offers a firm foundation for pursuing a professional approach to future writing assignments.

Assessment tasks include:
• drawing up a personal 12-month action plan with clear achievement targets