Effective Writing for Digital: Advanced

How to write persuasively and understand the fundamentals of data journalism

This four-hour advanced digital writing course covers the art of crafting persuasive copy and how data journalism can boost your storytelling.  

What you’ll learn: Persuasive writing skills and how data journalism works

This Effective Writing for Digital: Advanced course encourages critical thinking to evaluate how the UK’s biggest publications subtly (or not so subtly) persuade readers in their news and features writing, as well as comment and opinion pieces.   

You’ll take a deeper look into what makes a compelling opinion piece, learning how to structure and deliver an impactful argument. The first half of the session will end with advice and insights from some of the media’s most prominent publishers.   

You’ll then delve into the world of data journalism and learn the fundamentals of what it involves. Compelling data can support a narrative or, in some cases, even be the story itself. By discussing real world examples, you’ll learn what makes a brilliant data-led article that really engages your reader, and how you can get the most out of statistics and numbers.  

How you’ll learn 

This two-module writing course will be led by an experienced editor, who will share their knowledge and expertise through presentations, discussion and practical exercises.  

Who the Effective Writing for Digital: Advanced course is for 

This course is for writers, early career journalists and PR professionals who want to brush up on their writing skills and techniques. It is a great follow-up to our Effective Writing for Digital: Essentials course.

We currently offer this course as bespoke training for teams and can deliver it remotely, or in your offices. Get in touch using the button below to discuss times and dates, as well as how we can tailor it to your needs. 

If you’re booking for yourself, find all of our scheduled courses here.

Course Modules

Persuasive Writing and Thought Leadership

  1. The morning’s papers
  2. Opinion writing: topic, theme, point
  3. Thought leadership writing tips
  4. Lessons from those who do it well

Storytelling with Data

  1. When data storytelling goes wrong
  2. When data is the story
  3. When data supports the story
  4. Best practice for data storytelling

Effective Writing for Digital: Advanced

How to write persuasively and understand the fundamentals of data journalism

Get in touch

What our students say

View all testimonials

PA Media Training were efficient, well organised and genuinely lovely people to deal with and, importantly for us, able to provide flexibility around our needs to create the bespoke training we required. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them for further training or to recommend them to other organisations.

Mayor of London’s Press Office
, Head of Media

The team is flexible, slick, well-resourced and overall simply first class. Their expertise and knowledge have been invaluable. I was delighted with our choice, so I’d have no hesitation in recommending them

Prostate Cancer UK
, Head of External Relations

The lifelike interview settings and tasks that PA Media Training deal in replicate perfectly the real-world feel of a tough media interview and help the delegates come out of the day feeling much more confident that they can play an active role in representing their organisation.

Transport for London
, Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs

The small class sizes nurture a comfortable environment where everyone supports and learns from each other. The staff helped me hone in on my writing skills and develop the confidence to feel comfortable on camera.

Camilla Foster
, Reporter
, Newsquest

It’s a great place to make connections – networking with teachers, guest speakers and fellow students can be key to gaining advice or even job opportunities during and after the course. 

James Saunders
, Digital News Reporter
, GB News 

Being equipped with an NCTJ Diploma does massive favours for your future, and the skills the course taught me are ones I lean on every single day. The simple fact is, I wouldn’t be where I am without that course. 

Alex Barker
, Videographer & Presenter
, The Athletic

Contact us

For more information , simply fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.