The Training Writers for Magazines course gives Christian magazine editors and staff members the tools they need to train quality writers for their magazines, whether training is done one-on-one or in groups. Ultimately, the goal is to increase the number of people who are able to write effective and compelling articles, so that Christ may be glorified and his kingdom advanced through Christian magazine publishing.
The conference is centered around an actual writing course which participants may later adapt for use in their own writer training. The final session suggests formats in which the material can be used. During the course, participants write an article which is read to a small group of other participants.  | Participants diligently work on a writing assignment at a course in Poland. |
Training manual
Each participant receives a 60-85 page manual outlining the course. The manual titled "Writing Effective Magazine Articles," includes teaching suggestions, exercises, and other resources which may be used as a basis for teaching workshops and working individually with writers.
The audio set
The eight-hour Training Writers audio course is available as an MP3-CD with a PDF of the manual included on the CD. The audio set is available only in English. The manual is available in English, Russian, Polish, and Romanian.
Topics
What is a Christian writer?
An examination of the qualities that distinguish the Christian writer.
An examination of the qualities that distinguish the Christian writer.
Principles of communication
How communication works; barriers to communication.
How communication works; barriers to communication.
How to find and refine great article ideas
Where to look for good ideas; how to sift out the best ones.
Where to look for good ideas; how to sift out the best ones.
How to gather information and do research
Great articles are based on great research. Here's how to do it.
Great articles are based on great research. Here's how to do it.
How to conduct interviews
Methods and tips for effective interviews which yield good articles.
Methods and tips for effective interviews which yield good articles.
How to organize your article
Logical flow; use of transition.
Logical flow; use of transition.
Keys to powerful writing
Tips to make your writing fresher, more interesting, and alive.
Tips to make your writing fresher, more interesting, and alive.
How to write compelling leads and memorable conclusions
Ideas for leads that draw readers into the article and conclusions that reinforce the impact of your article.
Ideas for leads that draw readers into the article and conclusions that reinforce the impact of your article.
Handling Christian topics
How to write on Christian topics. Avoid pitfalls; make your case compellingly and graciously.
How to write on Christian topics. Avoid pitfalls; make your case compellingly and graciously.
Editing your own writing.
Here's what to watch for and how to make your writing even better.
Here's what to watch for and how to make your writing even better.
Understanding and writing the common types of articles:
Essay/opinion articles; personality profiles; feature articles; personal experience/testimonies; how-to articles; Scripture teaching articles; news feature/news analysis articles; news stories.
Essay/opinion articles; personality profiles; feature articles; personal experience/testimonies; how-to articles; Scripture teaching articles; news feature/news analysis articles; news stories.
Past courses
MTI has offered this and other writing courses in Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Belarus, Russia, Poland, Romania, Albania, and Austria.