Organised by The Guardian
Discover the fundamentals of opinion writing in this virtual masterclass with two of The Guardian’s most prolific journalists.
We’ve all got an opinion about virtually everything - but how can you communicate your viewpoint with originality and confidence, and in a voice that is uniquely yours? What is the difference between writing an opinion piece that’s grounded in first-hand research, and writing a regular column that draws on your life experiences?
In this insightful virtual workshop with Polly Toynbee and Tim Dowling, you will learn the key steps for getting your opinions down - and then out into the world. Our two Guardian writers will provide you with tips for developing your voice, discussing important issues, conducting research, using your lived experience in your writing and thinking about your audience.
Whether you frequently find yourself reciting funny anecdotes to friends and think that others might enjoy them, or you care very deeply about ongoing social or political issues in the world and want to communicate your thoughts, this workshop for beginners as well as established writers will help you to discover the creative and practical aspects of opinion writing, as well as how to spark a conversation.
Course Content
- The purpose of a column
- Identifying key issues to talk about
- Developing your voice and writing with authenticity
- Using your life experiences to enhance or inform your writing
- Raising important issues through your writing
- Thinking about your audience
This course is for ...
- Beginners who are interested in writing opinion pieces and want to under the creative process of writing a column
- Writers who want to learn more about developing their voice, pitching ideas and creating a conversation with their pieces
You will be sent a link to the online workshop 2hrs before the start time of 6.30pm (GMT) from The Guardian.
Tutor Profile
Polly Toynbee is a columnist for the Guardian and former BBC social affairs editor. She won the Orwell prize for journalism in 1998, and was named columnist of the year at the British Press Awards in 2007. She has written and co-authored many books. Her latest book is The Lost Decade, co-written with David Walker. Read Polly’s Guardian articles here.
Tim Dowling is a journalist for the Guardian. He writes a weekly column for Weekend magazine and is the author of several books, including How to Be a Husband. Read Tim’s Guardian articles here.