Course Description and Objectives
Why do we read one text, even on an interesting topic, painfully and for a long time , and as if for a different text seems like we swallow it immediately? Why is one article remembered for a lifetime, but second one is easily forgotten in five minutes? In this course, you will learn how to write good text that is easy and enjoyable to read; what "catches" the reader's attention; how to maintain clarity of thought and harmony of presentation. You will also understand how to learn to feel the audience and speak the same language them , how to work on the stylistics of the text and make the text lively as well as expressive. There is a saying that good writing is your thought, expressed only in a correct way. Therefore, together we will search for such way!
This course will help:
-Understand and formulate the topic and problem of the text;
-Choose a style suitable for the format of the publication and the audience;
-Express your thoughts simply and clearly;
-Avoid clerical stamps and turns;
-Make the text brighter and more expressive, grabbing attention;
-Use rhetorical figures;
-Work with reporter and artistic detail.
Course format
The course includes 6 modules and is designed for 8 weeks of study. The weekly workload of students in the course is 3-4 hours, depending on the complexity of the section and independent work.
The modules consist of video lectures up to 15 minutes with transcript of texts and test questions to check the assimilation of theoretical material (3-4 questions for each section). There are 4 attempts to pass the test. If the limit of attempts is exhausted, the system is blocked and you need to register for the course again. In this regard, we strongly advise participants to re-familiarize themselves with the provided course materials in case of the first unsuccessful attempts to take the test. If you wish, you can repeat the course four times. Upon completion of the entire course, an electronic certificate will be issued.
The course was developed as part of IWPR's three-year regional project Giving Voices - Driving Change: from the Borderland to Steppes, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project aims to build the capacity of a new generation of analysts and journalists who can provide high-quality and accessible analytics to government agencies and the general public in the Central Asia region. The views expressed in the course do not reflect the official position of the Norwegian government.
What will you learn?
Program
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Module 1
In this module, you will learn about working with the audience to which your story is addressed, and how important it is to define a topic as well as problem before you start writing a text.
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Module 2
In this section, you will understand what good text is made from as well as the main differences of functional styles.
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Module 3
The module will help you find out the main signs of bureaucracy. You will get acquainted with 7 signs of the bureaucratic language, understand the value and the main reasons why you need to learn to see them in your text.
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Module 4
In this module, you will be familiarized with the term “euphony”: what often makes a sentence dissonant and what should one pay attention to in order for the text to sound harmonious and pleasant
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Module 5
In this module, you will learn what syntax shapes are, their role in text, and will be familiarized with basic syntax shapes.
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Module 6
The final module will help you to understand the basic literary techniques for a good text.
Instructors
Natalya Polytsya
