Your Study Path

The logical way to work through your course is to follow the modules in numerical order from 1 - 30. This means you cover non-fiction writing first and this is what we recommend. Non-fiction offers you the quickest and easiest way into print and to start earning some money. Once you have your first work published you will find it is a tremendous stimulant to write more.

Important - Sending in Your Completed Assignment

Please note: only send in your first assignment once you are sure that you wish to proceed with the course. You will not be able to return the course books to us under the 15 day trial period if you have already had an assignment marked by us.

Typing should always be double spaced (whether sending to us or to a publisher) and leave good margins top, bottom and at each side.

Please include on your assignment:

• your name
• your student number. (If you have not received it, please contact studentservices@writersbureau.com with your name and address and we will send it to you)
• the assignment number

Answer each question fully and number the questions you have completed clearly so your tutor knows exactly what you are doing.

Make sure you have a copy of everything you send to us.

Sending Your Assignment by Post:

Send your answers on plain paper to:

The Writers Bureau
Sevendale House
7 Dale Street
Manchester
M1 1JB
England

Sending Your Assignment by Email:

You can send your assignment by email if your word processing package can save documents in rich text format (.rtf) and you know how to use file attachments.

If you are not sure that you have the appropriate software please contact us at: studentservices@writersbureau.com for more advice.

The address to which you should send your assignment is: nfuk@writersbureau.com

NB. Make sure you include your name, student number and 'Assignment 1' in the subject line and put both questions in a single attachment.

If you are sending your assignment by email please do not send us a copy in the post.

Assignment One

Please attempt this assignment only when you have studied Modules 1 - 3. In this first assignment we are not really aiming at getting you to produce publishable work. Here we want to see how well you can write and also how well you can observe and describe what you see around you. (If you are sending your assignment by e-mail please save your answers to questions 1 and 2 in the same file called assone.rtf)

1. Tell us in about 300 words why you want to write, what you hope to gain from this course and your ambitions for the future.

2. Visit a local market, fair, place of historical interest or sporting event. In fact, anywhere that interests you and might interest your reader. Make notes of what you observe about you. Write up a piece of between 300 - 500 words from your notes describing the event. Do NOT send in your notes with your completed assignment. (You should try to make your instructor feel the atmosphere or excitement of the place. Use your imagination and descriptive powers to the full to produce an interesting piece of writing.)

Also, complete the Personal Profile Questionnaire which follows and return with this assignment.

Revision: When you have finished this assignment, put it to one side for a day or two and then revise it thoroughly for content, spelling and presentation before sending it in. We cannot emphasize too strongly the need for proper revision of all your writing. It is never too soon to develop good writing habits like this one - so start now with this first assignment.

Personal Profile Questionnaire

Please answer the following questions. By using the information you provide your tutor will be in a better position to help you with your studies; so please answer each question as fully as possible. If there are any questions you do not wish to answer, then omit them. But we can assure you that all information will be treated in strict confidence.

Answer on a separate sheet (or file called ppq.rtf if you are sending by e-mail). There is no need to retype the questions but please number the answers clearly. Please keep each answer under 50 words.

Your name:
Your e-mail address:
Country where you live:
Your enrolment number:
Age:

1. What is your educational background? (We do not want to know your qualifications, but would be interested in the type of school/college you attended and at what age you left full-time education.)

2. Are you married or in a relationship?
Do you have children?

3. What is your present occupation?
Have you had any other jobs that might provide background or experiences for your writing?

4. What are your hobbies and leisure interests?

5. Do you possess any special skills?

6. Do you possess knowledge or experience of any other subjects or activities which you have not already mentioned?

7. Would you consider yourself an extrovert person with an active social life, or do you prefer quieter pursuits?

8. What sort of vacation do you prefer?

Lazing on the beach or round a pool
Active/sporty
Sightseeing
Other

Now tell us briefly what constitutes your ideal holiday.

9. Do you read a daily newspaper? If so, which ones?

10. Do you regularly read any particular magazines or periodicals? If so, which ones?

11. What is your favourite reading matter? Explain briefly why you prefer this genre.

12. How many hours a week could you devote to writing?

13. Have you had anything published in the past?

14. Have you submitted anything and received a rejection?

15. Which particular field of writing interests you most at the moment?

16. Is there any other information about yourself which you think we should know?