Writing for Publication

Course Overview

This course provides learners with an understanding of the principles for writing and publishing persuasive newspaper, magazine, or professional journal articles, with a specific focus on how such writing can be valuable for homeland security professionals. Throughout the course, learners are led through an exercise in which they produce a draft article of their own, adhering to one type of article structure. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course you should better understand the value of article writing to a career in homeland security, and be aware of the considerations and steps you should take in order to create and publish articles.  

• Module 1: Understand how and why to select topics about which to write, and how to craft a bio block that reinforces your credibility and authority to write on your selected topic(s)
• Module 2: Identify journals, blogs, internal agency communications platforms, magazines, and newspapers to which you can or should pitch articles on various topics
• Module 3: Understand how to craft an appropriate title, and how to manage your style and tone in order to maximize persuasiveness and connect with the reader/editor
• Module 4: Understand and build content in one type of article structure
• Module 5: Understand how to navigate the pitch and editorial processes

About the Author

Kevin Duffy is a United States Coast Guard Officer with over twenty years of domestic and international experience in security operations and policy. He has been published over forty times in a wide variety of outlets, including CNN, The Boston Herald, and The Houston Chronicle.