Are you wondering how to write a non-fiction book? You’ll learn how to write commercial non-fiction for print, broadcast, and digital channels with this online writing course.
The Certificate of Non-Fiction Writing is an online professional development course for aspiring writers who want to improve their non-fiction writing skills.
In this online writing course, you will learn how to write a non-fiction book, magazine articles, blogs, news items, memoirs, biographies, and more. You’ll also discover how to write for crime, travel, health, leisure activities, food, diet, and well-being.
You will also learn about fact-based storytelling techniques, copywrite infringement and protecting your work, contracts and publishers, how to make writing profitable, navigating legal systems and sales and marketing for writers.
On completion of this course, you will have gained the skills and knowledge required to write non-fiction on various topics and for multiple media outlets.
Course Structure
Unit - Writing Non Fiction
Unit 1 – Scope and Nature of Non-Fiction Writing
- What is non-fiction writing compared to fiction writing?
- Non fiction styles
- Types of non fiction writing
- Academic vs commercial non fiction writing
- Text types in non fiction writing
- Text structure
- Pseudonyms
Unit 2 – Writing Forms and Media Options
- Sample author platform
- Using fiction techniques to create strong non fiction texts
- Making a story memorable
- Hook the audience
- Emotional language
- Plain and simple language
- Writing for the readership
- Ways to publish/share non fiction writing
- Non fiction writing scripts
- Tv, radio, social media, advertising, education, voice overs, news
Unit 3 – News Writing
- Writing news
- Headlines
- Lede (or lead)
- Key point summary in digital formats
- Reverse pyramid
- News coverage and focus
- Conflict and proximity
- Prominence and impact
- Relevance
- Oddity or human interest
- Timeliness
- Newswriting for different outlets
- Newspapers
- News websites
- Broadcast news
- Newsletters and blogs
Unit 4 – Travel Writing
- Commercial travel writing
- Overused descriptions in travel writing
- Holidays
- Special events
- Travel bloggers
- Adventure tourism
- Lifestyle blogging
- How to travel
- Destination pieces
- Adventure travel
- Side trips/weekend trips
- Literary travel writing
- Career paths for travel writers
- How to be a good travel writer
- How to construct a travel piece
- Researching a travel piece
- Talking to locals
- How to pitch a travel piece
Unit 5 – Memoirs and Biography
- Types of Memoirs – Confessional , Transformational, Portrait, Professional
- Diaries
- How to Write a Memoir or Biography
- Autobiography
- Research
- Biography and Profiles
- How to Pitch a Memoir, Autobiography or Biography
Unit 6 – Writing about Leisure Activities
- Passionate interest and in depth knowledge
- Niche or widespread writing
- How to write about leisure and hobby writing
- Hobby writing
- Sports writing
- Craft writing
- Horticulture and garden writing
- How to pitch leisure, sports and craft writing
Unit 7 – Writing About Food and Diet
- How to write about food
- Constructing a food article
- Sensory writing
- Recipes
- Informative instructional writing
- Types of food writing
- Nutritional research
- Allergies and intolerances
- Recipes, diet & exercise
- How to pitch food writing
Unit 8 – Writing About Wellbeing
- Detailed understanding of anatomy, physiology, and psychology
- How to write about health and wellbeing
- Grounding and context
- Plain English
- Research
- Balanced viewpoints
- Different types of health and wellbeing writing
- Mental health, sleep
- Health, medicine and complimentary medicine
- Creative therapies
- Exercise
Unit 9 – Fact Based Storytelling
- Storytelling at work
- Storytelling with data
- Sales and marketing
- True crime
- Historical events
- Seeking stories
Unit 10 – The Business of Non-Fiction Writing
- Successful writers
- Collaborative writing
- Delivering your work
- Management and opportunities
- Contracts and publishers
- How to make writing more profitable
- Syndication
- Intellectual property management
- Legal systems
- Protecting your work – copyright, issues
- Copyright licencing
- Settling disputes
- Risks when writing non fiction
- Specific risks, libel, defamation, slander, false light
- Fact checking, perspective & time shift
- Copyright infringement (plagiarism)
- Accuracy errors
- Digital rights management (DRM)
- Information rights management
- Electronic books and magazines
- Electronic books and magazines
- IRM/EDRM
- Referencing
- Thinking outside the box
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Great course to further my skills in non-fiction writing.
J. Widdowson-Staples, Punchbowl, TAS | Certificate of Non-Fiction Writing
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Writer
- Biographer
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