Rewriting And Subbing Specialist Copy

Overview

Dealing with copy you don't understand can be a frustrating experience for even the most experienced sub. Delegates will leave the day with a fresh approach to even the most bewildering copy and cantankerous writers.

Who should attend

Journalists, subs and editors who handle copy from specialists who are likely to have had no formal training in writing or journalism.

Course objectives

By the end of this intensive course, you will be able to:

> Appreciate what you are trying to achieve with the initial brief and how to pre-empt any possible problems with the copy

> Know how to get the best results from submitted copy

> How to handle writers who are resistant to changes in their copy

> Benefit from practical exercises using material from your own titles and those of others

Course content

What is Specialist Copy and What Problems Does it Present?

> Problems that may occur with specialist copy

> Finding the right writer

> Coming up with an effective brief

> Managing the on-going process

Get to Grips With the Copy

> Assessing submitted copy

> Restructuring and rewriting

> Improving intros and ends, links and transitions

> Working on the flow, tone and flavour of the piece

> A run through subbing basics

> Enlivening dull copy whilst maintaining the flow

Handle Specialist Authors

> Think like the writer

> Coping with difficult authors