With the rise of online platforms, consumers have access to a variety of content such videos, infographics, pictures and write-ups such as commentaries, reviews and blurps. The need to communicate both visually and in writing has grown. Although micro-blogging sites such as Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat and Facebook often contain pictures, videos or short messages, many of these posts still point interested readers back to web pages with more substantial write-ups. Effective writing is important for those who want to publish influential content on behalf of companies for editorial or commercial purposes or as insightful individuals.
This course seeks to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to write effectively online. In addition to essential writing techniques, participants will also learn about how to establish and cultivate the authority and credibility of their online content through effective search engine optimization and leveraging the content value ladder. Ultimately, writing for the web is an integral part of the digital literacy much needed for anyone who wish to partake in the information age with confidence and impact.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
Week 1: Introduction to participatory culture, digital literacy and types of online content. Week 2: An overview of social media platforms, their written content and audiences Week 3: Style and structure Week 4: Establishing the authority of online content and Search Engine Optimisation Week 5: Ethical Language Use