Independent Media and Newsletter Writing

What are the best new platforms for journalism and how can individual writers create their own newsletters? Amid all the changes to legacy news media, this course introduces students to exciting new opportunities for publishing their work. The best newsletters are unique in terms of point of view and quirky topics, which is why honing a personal voice as a writer is a key to success. For this reason, students practice different writing formats to see what works best with their newsletter ideas, including short personal essays, opinion pieces, and features with audio or video components. We also cover the basics of good journalism when working as an independent content creator and editor. We read a range of successful newsletters, explore team-led media projects, and look at strategies for building an audience. By the end of the semester, students have a working newsletter that matches their personal interests and expertise, one they can continue using after the course is over.