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Sub-editing elearning course

ContentETC

Training

Online

£ 20 + VAT

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Description

  • Type

    Training

  • Level

    Beginner

  • Methodology

    Online

  • Class hours

    3h

  • Duration

    Flexible

  • Personal tutor

    Yes

The sub is the writer's safety net. This hugely demanding role ranges from checking the clarity, accuracy and consistency of everything that goes out to an audience; to crafting the headlines that sell newspapers and magazines, and pull readers to websites.

This e-learning course dissects the role of the sub-editor – from catching misplaced commas to cutting copy to fit. It provides a step-by-step approach to what must be tackled in a document. You will learn how a sub-editor analyses news and features stories to see where they can be improved and turns an awkward opening paragraph into a guaranteed attention grabber. We also demystify the art of writing headlines and standfirsts that grab the reader.

About this course

You will learn:

What a sub-editor should do
How to spot common mistakes
How subbing is different for digital and print media
How to take a systematic approach to a document
The difference between subbing news and features
What makes a good intro for a news or feature article?
Why order is important
How to improve structure
Different approaches to headlines
What makes a good standfirst
How to improve captions

...and much more.

Aimed at anyone who is asked to check other people's copy, whether for editorial, professional, academic or personal use. Particularly useful for those who are taking on the role of sub-editor for a brand, whether print or digital.

No prior experience needed. We will give you everything you need to know.

Certificate

You have the option of receiving tailored one to one feedback from the trainer, and can contact them at any point.

We will email you a full course outline and answer any queries you have.

Questions & Answers

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Reviews

Subjects

  • Writing
  • Subbing
  • Sub-editing
  • Proofing
  • Editing copy
  • Copywriting
  • Spotting mistakes
  • Grammar
  • Punctuation
  • Business wriitng

Teachers and trainers (1)

Karen May

Karen May

Senior trainer

Karen May is a writer, editor, internal communication specialist and trainer. Her experience in the UK and SE Asia spans customer publishing, entertainment journalism and business publishing. Karen has worked with teams at Lexus Cars, Cable and Wireless, Tesco, BT, IPC Magazines and Redwood Publishing. Her training expertise and specialist knowledge encourages rapid practical learning at all levels. Karen leads our Proofreading e-learning course and is currently working on a Subbing interactive online session.

Course programme

What sub-editing is
  • Editing material for publication
  • Quality control - checking for accuracy, consistency and clarity of message
  • Creativity - drawing attention to news and features by writing powerful headlines, standfirsts and captions
  • Production - making sure copy fits and that deadlines are met
The role of the sub
  • Checking facts
  • Checking spelling and grammar
  • Checking for mistakes
  • Checking that copy is interesting, readable and relevant to the reader
  • Checking queries with writers
  • Checking for libel and copyright and other legal issues
  • Checking house style
  • Writing headlines, standfirsts and captions
  • Reading proofs at layout stage
  • Signing off pages and sending them to the printer
  • Doing simple page layouts
  • Writing copy for the contents page
  • Making changes in QuarkXpress or InDesign
  • Cutting copy to fit

The skills and knowledge a sub needs

Where the sub fits in the production process

The importance of the reader

Distinguishing between news and features
  • Deciding what kind of copy you're dealing with
  • Subbing them differently
Subbing basics
  • What always needs to be checked
  • Consistency of information
Language
  • Is the language right for your readership?
How news stories are structured
  • The elements that make a good introduction
  • The inverse news pyramid
  • News language
  • A checklist for subbing news
A step-by-step approach to subbing a feature
  • Comparing it to the brief
  • Making a mini assessment
  • Checking the structure
  • Checking the intro
  • Checking the conclusion
How subbing online is different to subbing for print
  • Online readers and how they differ
  • Rewriting copy online including key words and helping the search engines

Building and fostering sound relationships with good, valuable writers

The elements of strong headlines and what they must do
  • Styles of headlines for news, features and online copy
  • Techniques for writing strong headlines
  • The role of the standfirst or "sell" and what it does
  • How standfirsts are used and how to write good ones

Your complete Subbing System

See related categories

Sub-editing elearning course

£ 20 + VAT

The best Journalism courses

See all

See all