Youâre scrolling on Instagram on your lunch break and see another tragedy unfolding in real time. For the third time today. You head back to your desk because Eric from HR needs you to respond to an email. Urgently. But nothing else really feels urgent anymore.
You sign another petition. You share another post. You donate to another fundraiser. But it never feels like enough.
So you turn off your portable window into all the problems you can't fix. Ready to do it all again tomorrow.
Sound familiar?
Instead, turn your empathy into action.
You don't have the power to change everything all at once.
But maybe youâll encourage one person to write to their elected official. Maybe youâll encourage one person to use more inclusive language at work. Maybe youâll change one personâs mind.
Because you can change the world. One opinion piece at a time.
You might have some doubts...
Â
- Iâm not an âexpertâ in anything.
- I want to write something but I donât know how to start.
- Iâm not a journalist - who would even want to publish anything I write?
Â
If youâre like me, you didnât learn the skills to write an opinion piece at school or university. You donât have anyone around you to ask for help and trying teach yourself via Google just isnât working. You want to change the conversation around topics that youâre passionate about but you donât know how.
Women, people of colour, those in the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities have been excluded from sharing their stories. Which is why we keep reading the same types of opinions from the same types of people.
And their opinions shape the policies which affect every aspect of our lives. From healthcare to our finances and everything in between.
Just Imagine
-
You've taken action to share your opinions about things that affect your life (and youâve been paid for it)
-
Youâve positioned yourself as an expert in your field, without waiting for someone to hire you
-
And most importantly, youâre confident that your opinion is valuable and worth sharing
Writing for Activism: Opinion Writing Masterclass is your roadmap.
Why should you learn from me?
I am a writing coach, editor, and researcher. My aim is to diversify the media landscape by giving women, people of colour, the LGBTQIA+ community, First Nations people, and those with disabilities the skills to share their perspectives and become recognised as experts in their field.
- I spent 3 years as an editor for Young Australians in International Affairs.
- I have published multiple opinion pieces for Women's Agenda, SAGE International Australia and the Lowy Institute.
- I worked as the Oceania consultant for youth engagement in nuclear weapons policy and disarmament for BASIC (and wrote THIS report).
- I was a keynote speaker at the Community Changemaker Summit.
- I have a Masterâs Degree in Violence, Terrorism, and Securityâ and a Graduate Certificate in Gender Mainstreaming Policy and Analysis.
INTRODUCING
Writing for Activism
Opinion Writing Masterclass
Â
A self-paced, online course designed to take you from complete beginner to published writer.
Â
What's Included:
Â
EXPERT ADVICE
From someone whoâs not only written opinion pieces but also helped countless people write and publish their own. Iâll help you navigate the world of opinion writing.
A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
Youâll have access to self-paced video tutorials that you can watch anytime you like. I cover everything you need to know so you can start writing. You can download your very own workbook to record your progress and actionable steps to take every week.
You'll receive an initial 6 months access to the video content, which you can extend as many times as you like.
What You'll Learn
Module 1: MINDSET AND EXPERTISE
Module 2: PLAN AND PREPARE
Module 3: MASTER THE FUNDAMENTALS
Module 4: ELEVATE YOUR WRITING
Module 5: PERFECT YOUR PROOFREADING AND PITCHING
Module 6: MAINTAIN YOUR MOMENTUM
Are you ready to learn how to share your story?
FAQ
Iâm a complete beginner. Do I have to know a lot about writing?
Not at all! This Masterclass takes you through writing an opinion piece step-by-step, starting with the definition or an opinion piece, or op-Ed, and building from there.
Do I have to decide on the topic that I want to write about before I start this Masterclass?
Nope! One of the first things youâll learn is what youâre an expert in and how to decide on a topic to write about.
Can I complete this course from anywhere in the world?
Of course! This Masterclass is completely online and can be completed anywhere you have access to an internet connection and a computer.
Does this Masterclass have subtitles?
Yes! This Masterclass is designed to be fully accessible and does include subtitles. If you have any access needs and arenât sure if theyâre catered for, please email me at [email protected] and Iâll work with you to make sure you can access the content.
Will the videos be live or recorded?
The videos are recorded and the content is self-paced so that if life gets in the way, you can take a break and come back to it when youâre ready.
What is my time commitment for this course?
This course is structured so that you complete 1 module a week. It takes approximately 2 hours to watch the videos, take notes, and complete the homework. This means that youâll finish the course in 6 weeks. This is just a guide and it may take more or less time for you. Take it at your own pace.
How long do I have access to the Masterclass for?
You have access to the Masterclass for 6 months. After that you can email me at any time to request additional time to access the Masterclass. Iâve done it this way so that the time limit serves as a deadline and motivates you to complete the course but you can always take a break and pick up from where you left off if you need to.
Iâve already written an opinion piece. Is this course for me?
If youâve already written an opinion piece and feel like you have a firm grasp of the basics, you might not need to enrol in this Masterclass. If youâre still struggling to publish your work, you might benefit from a 1:1 Consultation with me to get personalised feedback about how you can improve and address any problems youâre having.
If you have any other questions not listed here, email me at [email protected]
Payment Plans and Scholarships Available
Â
I am committed to inclusion and equality. As women and people from marginalised communities often do work that is underpaid or unpaid, there are payment plans and scholarships available.
Contact me at [email protected] for more information.