What’s On

Are you a writer, keen to see your byline in a newspaper’s comment section?

If you’re an academic, are you under pressure to communicate your expertise in the public arena?

Maybe you are a business owner, wishing to write a killer #thoughtleadership article on your blog or LinkedIn?

Or an individual, with an idea that you know will resonate far and wide?

This workshop will delve into opinion writing – what it is, what it isn’t and how to do it in a way that’s right for your intended audience. This is an opportunity to workshop your ideas and learn tips for structure, style and substance in order to maximise the impact of your opinion writing.

Course Details

When: Saturday 20 March at 10am – 1pm
Where: In-person at the Byron Writers Festival office, 2/58 Centennial Circuit Byron Bay
Cost: $50 members, $60 non-members

Detailed outline

Presentation:

• Introduction to opinion writing, including a model showing how opinion writing is similar and different to other writing styles (eg: feature writing, blogging, academic writing)
• Analysis of published opinion pieces
• How to structure an opinion piece for maximum readability and impact

Writing exercises:

• Small group discussion of participant topic ideas
• Workshopping headlines, introductions and structure

Who is it for

This workshop is suitable for writers, academics, business leaders, and individuals who have an opinion they wish to communicate to a wider audience.

Participants can be new to writing or at an intermediate level. It would also be suitable for writers who are experienced in other formats and are interested in extending their skills to writing opinion pieces.

About Vivienne Pearson

Vivienne Pearson is freelance feature and content writer based in the Byron Shire. She has had opinion pieces published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Guardian, ABC, SBS, Daily Life and Whimn.

She also works with other writers and professionals, helping them develop and finesse opinion pieces for publication. Her writing lives at viviennepearson.com