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. 

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

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

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 teaching I received was second to none and despite having no experience whatsoever in journalism, the tutors made sure there was a friendly environment where I felt welcome to ask any questions I needed. I was able to finish the course and go into a job working for The Sun.

Olivia Allhusen
, Junior Journalist
, The Sun

I honestly thought that the whole day was fabulous!!! You really couldn’t have done anymore for us. The combination of practical exercises and feedback was particularly useful, it was a challenging day (in a very good way) in that we really had to think, learn and adapt quickly. I know the team are significantly better prepared for media interviews after this training.

Fragile X Society
, Managing Director

The staff truly go above and beyond, providing detailed feedback, a wealth of knowledge and many career opportunities. I’d recommend the course to any budding journalist. You’ll have fun, too!  

Erin Waks
, Trainee Sub-Editor
, Daily Mail

I learned to write concise articles and features, while developing my skills in social media, interviewing sources, and producing stories for an increasingly online audience. The course has allowed me to start a full-time journalism career.

Jonathan Moynihan
, Social Media Producer
, Forces News

Contact us

Do you wish to train on one of our specialist courses? Start by filling in the application form – we’ll ask you for some important information such as your education and employment history.

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If you would like to receive regular updates from PA Media Academy, please tick here:

Contact us

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

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
By submitting this application form you confirm your acceptance that the information you have provided will be used during the recruitment procedure. Once the recruitment procedure is completed, the data will be stored for one year and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, relevant information may be taken from this form and used as part of your personnel record.
If you would like to receive regular updates from PA Media Academy, please tick here:

Contact us

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