To ensure everyone's good health, students in NYC classes must provide proof of full Covid vaccinations (the initial series of Covid vaccines plus at least one booster). We will accept your Covid vaccine card (or a digital scan), a NY State Excelsior digital card, or another form of government-approved proof. We will contact you before class begins about showing us proof. Also, we will require masks in the classrooms and Gotham premises.
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Blog Writing
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These essential courses are great for writers of any level.
Blog Writing is a 6-week class, which includes a mixture of lectures and blog assignments. It’s for beginners or anyone who wants a refresher. Farther down, you can view a syllabus for this course.
Everyone and their cousins have (or had) a blog. But how many are well written? Truly interesting or entertaining or useful? Maintained on a regular basis? Enjoyed by a wide circle of people? Precious few.
The key is to write posts so good even total strangers will be drawn to your blog.
Here you will learn the specialized craft of writing blog content. Writing conversationally, but not sloppily. Writing concisely, but with just enough substance. Writing with structure, voice, credibility, and a point to each post.
Whether you’re blogging for a business, to establish yourself in a field, or just to spread your creative wings, we’ll show you how to win over readers on a recurring basis.
A great introduction to the art of writing a blog.
Kate Rice
writer
Notes
This course focuses on writing for blogs. For a broader look at blogging, consider our Blog Basics course.
Upcoming Classes
NYC COVID Info
Price
Registration fee $25, paid once per term
6-Week
-
Online
Anytime, week-long sessions
Tuition: $319
-
One-on-One
Tuition: $1,195
Syllabus
This course gives you a firm grounding in the craft of blog writing. Course components:
Lectures
Critique of blog posts (each student presenting work two times)
New York City/Zoom classes
The syllabus varies from teacher to teacher, term to term. Many topics will be similar to those covered in the Online classes.
Online classes
Week 1
Concept: What is blog writing? Types of blog posts—personal experience, opinion, reviews, advice, news/updates. Focusing your blog—concept, audience, uniqueness, posts. Company blogs.
Week 2
Point: The importance of a point to each post. Finding a fresh or interesting point. Ways to make your point. Creating effective headlines.
Week 3
Structure: Types of structure—inverted pyramid, feature article, list, story, other options. Creating effective openings. Planning a post.
Week 4
Voice: Defining and achieving voice. Exploring various voices. Stylistic tips—rhythm, verbs, interesting words, senses, emphasis. Smartness and sarcasm.
Week 5
Credibility: The difference between subjective and objective obligations. Reliability—accuracy, provability, specificity. Using revision to achieve professionalism. Making your case on the About page. Transparency about payments.
Week 6
Aside From Writing: Visuals—graphics and site design. Commitment—planning and sticking to it. Audience—spreading the word and interacting with your audience. Money—ways to make money with a blog
Note: Content may vary among individual classes.
Teachers
Mara Reinstein
Mara Reinstein writes the MaraMovies blog, which features reviews, essays, and reporting about the film industry. She is the film critic for US Weekly magazine, where she is also a former deputy editor, and she is a contributing entertainment editor for Parade magazine. Her nonfiction has appeared in Architectural Digest, Billboard, Glamour, the Hollywood Reporter,Variety, TV Guide, The New York Observer, and Emmy magazine. She holds a BA from the University of Missouri.
Read moreMara Reinstein
Mara Reinstein
writes the MaraMovies blog, which features reviews, essays, and reporting about the film industry. She is the film critic for US Weekly magazine, where she is also a former deputy editor, and she is a contributing entertainment editor for Parade magazine. Her nonfiction has appeared in Architectural Digest, Billboard, Glamour, the Hollywood Reporter,Variety, TV Guide, The New York Observer, and Emmy magazine. She holds a BA from the University of Missouri.
Related Courses
Essay & Opinion Writing I
Various types of viewpoint writing—essays, op-eds, reviews, and more.
Blog Basics
Everything you need to know to launch a blog—conception, setting up, content, and attracting readers.
Personal Essay Writing
The writer’s view on a topic, interlaced with experiences from the writer’s life.