Sub Editing

Learn the core skills required to edit news stories, features, blogs and more to professional journalistic standards.

The five week evening course will train you in the fundamental techniques of editing raw copy text, or even your own writing, into attention-grabbing and highly readable stories, as demanded by content publishers worldwide. It is aimed at a broad range of participants, from self-starter bloggers to experienced journalists who require formalised refresher training.

You will learn how to approach written copy critically and reshape it into compelling editorial content that people will want to read. Focusing on practical exercises and using real-world examples, the course also focuses on the different sub-editing approaches required for various types of material, and explains the distinctive subbing methods demanded by print and online media.

Requirements: Participants will need to bring their own laptop or tablet computer, with word processing software such as Word or Pages, to each class and have Internet access throughout the course to help with homework assignments, downloading copies of course material and tutor support between classes.

"Despite having some prior knowledge and experience of the newspaper and magazine industry, I still felt I learnt a significant amount and that Alistair is a brilliant (and very funny!) tutor."- Vicky Lane, Associate Editor, easyJet Traveller Magazine

Course Content

Week 1: Getting Started

• What is sub-editing?
• Editorial copy workflows
• Tips for checking your own writing
• Fundamentals of English grammar

Week 2: Style and Consistency

• Tips on punctuation and spelling
• Aspects of writing style
• Using a style guide

Week 3: News and Features

• How to write and edit news stories
• Sub-editing feature copy
• Writing good headlines, intros, captions and more

Week 4: Media Law for Subs

• Defamation and libel
• Copyright and intellectual property
• Social media and reader engagement

Week 5: Sub-editing for print

• Understanding how people read
• Fitting copy to a fixed space
• Fundamentals of typography
• Essential correction marks

A two-hour test of live sub-editing skills to cover news, features, proofreading and terminology

The online sub-editing project also needs to be completed by Week 10

*Please note: A marking fee of £50 is to be paid directly to the tutor at the end of the course, for the marking of the examination.

DISCOUNTS:

• GROUP BOOKING - 20% off group booking for 3 or more people* from the same organisation.

Code: Group20%

• ALUMNI LOYALTY SCHEME - 20% off any course fee*.

Code: Alumni20%

• 2 FOR 1 - bring a colleague, friend or family member for free* on the same course

Code: 2for1

• FREELANCERS AND CHARITIES - 15% off any course fee*.

Code: FCH15%

* Offers are subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Digital publishing courses are excluded.Terms and conditions apply.