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FREE ONLINE COURSE
for children aged 12-15
How to write a feature story
in 8 weeks
2 April - 28 May 2022

We are excited to offer a free course to students aged 12 -15, who would like to learn to write feature stories for the media.

Please note that the number of places for this course is limited.

We are no longer accepting applications for this course.
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About the course
Under the guidance of a professional journalist, you will learn to generate newsworthy angles, write, edit and analyze feature stories.
  • Write your own feature story and start building your portfolio
    • Do you want to try your hand at being a journalist?
    • Would you like to know how a journalist structure their work?
    • What to ask in an interview?
    • How to prepare your research?
    • How to make sure that your story grabs the reader's attention?

    This course consisting of 4x 2hr online classes and 4 writing assignments will teach you just that.
  • Meet new people
    The course is open to students from different countries. You will meet like-minded people, share your opinions with others and learn about different points of view.
  • Receive feedback and a certificate of completion
    For each of your writing assignments, you will receive detailed feedback that you can use to improve your writing. At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate from Le Sallay International Academy.
Course Instructor
Cila Warncke
Writer, journalist,
teacher of English and World Literature at Le Sallay Academy
Cila's work as a writer, editor and teacher springs from a desire to use the power of words for good, and help others do the same.

Her work appeared in many publications including International Living, Pennyblackmusic and SmarthMouth. It has graced most British music magazines, including Q, Clash, Dummy, Mixmag and DJ. Essays, opinion and travel writing have appeared in the Guardian, Transition, The Nervous Breakdown, 1842, Mslexia and more.

When not writing, Cila shares her skills by teaching non-fiction writing for Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and Concorde Career College.

Course Schedule
2 April - 28 May
Week 1
Online class
Apr 2, Saturday
Paris: 18:00 - 20:00 (CET)
New York: 12:00 - 14:00 (EST)
Different types, formats and markets for features
Week 2
Assignment
Deadline - Apr 9
Close reading, annotation and analysis of a feature of your choice
Week 3
Online class
Apr 16, Saturday
Paris: 18:00 - 20:00 (CET)
New York: 12:00 - 14:00 (EST)
Identifying a market and audience, finding an angle, preliminary research
Week 4
Assignment
Deadline - Apr 23
Compile cuttings, choose a format, draft thesis
Week 5
Online class
Apr 30, Saturday
Paris: 18:00 - 20:00 (CET)
New York: 12:00 - 14:00 (EST)
Interviewing, selecting quotes

Week 6
Assignment
Deadline - May 7
Interview transcript with highlighted quotes
Week 7
Online class
May 14, Saturday
Paris: 18:00 - 20:00 (CET)
New York: 12:00 - 14:00 (EST)
Writing a feature: collating research, choosing quotes, style and tone, tone, word count, headline, subhead, pull quote
Week 8
  • Assignment
Deadline - May 21

  • Closing session
May 28, Saturday
Paris: 18:00 - 20:00 (CET)
New York: 12:00 - 14:00 (EST)
Submit final feature




1-hour closing class for students to share their work and learning reflections

Who can participate

We expect that participants of the course


  • Are 12 - 15 years of age (exceptions can be made in some cases)

  • Have a strong interest in non-fiction writing

  • Have a high level of English proficiency (advanced, fluent, or native speaker)

  • Are able to meet online for two-hour classes and to complete writing assignments that

will require about 2 hours of independent work per week

We are no longer accepting applications for this course.
If you would like to receive notifications about our future courses please subscribe to our newsletter.
By clicking the button you agree to our Privacy Policy

About Le Sallay Academy

Le Sallay International Academy is a middle school for children aged 10-14, based on a blended learning model: four in-person sessions alternate with online learning sessions.

Each of the trimesters opens with a three-week in-person session during which students and teachers meet in France. Following these sessions, students spend two months learning online with their teachers and classmates.

We have students from 10 European countries and the United States. Our graduates are admitted to the selective high schools of their choice.

Learn more