On this comprehensive two-day course you will study editing in depth and
acquire the skills and knowledge to tackle any editorial task with confidence.
Whether you are new to editing or have been in the job for some time without
formal training, you will benefit from specialist techniques, expert advice
and the opportunity to work with other editors.
In addition to studying the core issues of accuracy, brevity and clarity you
will learn about commissioning text, software for editors, presentation, and
legal considerations. Proofreading will also be covered, to ensure that you
develop into a complete editor, with the same range of skills that publishers
use to achieve their high standards.
Our Desktop Guide to Editing will become a valuable reference book on
your return to the office, where you will also benefit from one year of
free post-course support.
This course is particularly suitable for people working in corporate
communications, research editing and documentation departments, and for anyone
responsible for publications, reports, proposals or web pages.
The details
Summary
2 days
9.30 am–5.00 pm daily
Small groups
Certificates
A year of free support
£690.00 + VAT
A 20% discount is available to charities and local authorities
"The course met my expectations in full and has helped me tremendously in my work as an author and editor with LSN."
Ian Duckett
Development Advisor
Learning and Skills Network
Locations and dates
Course programme
Editing skills
The types of editor
The Commissioning Editor
The Copy-editor
The characteristics of a good editor
The Commissioning Editor
How to commission clearly
Defining the scope and purpose of the document
Agreeing content, length and tone
Setting deadlines
Maintaining contact with authors
The Copy-editor
How copy-editors improve documents
Levels of editing
Software for editors
A review of editing software
Spell checkers and grammar checkers
Readability tests and alternatives
Why editing on paper is sometimes better
Appropriate style
Matching the tone to the audience and purpose
Avoiding the inappropriate - slang, humour and cliché
Replacing jargon and management-speak
Avoiding sexism
Words at work
Using simple words where simple words will do
The role of psycholinguistics - cold words and warm words
Avoiding tautology
Using words accurately - some common confusions
Plain English essentials
Thinking about the needs of the reader
Ensuring the text flows in a clear and logical way
Reviewing sentence length and structure
Favouring active verbs
Cutting redundant words and phrases
Avoiding ambiguity and errors of argument
Improving clarity
Using appropriate headings in a clear hierarchy
Using tables and diagrams to aid understanding
Using bullet points to simplify or summarise
Grammar and punctuation
The good grammar guide
Punctuation - a refresher course
Facts
Whose responsibility?
The role of the Technical Editor
Checking and querying facts
Liaising with authors
Legal considerations
Copyright and plagiarism
Libel
Bias
Proprietary names and trademarks
Warning notices
Presentation
Layout and colours
Typeface and type size
Justified or ragged? The pro and cons
Line spacing and paragraphing
Preparing copy
Marking up copy for a typesetter
Dealing with headings, footnotes and displayed quotations
Other elements
Preliminary pages - title pages, contents lists, etc
End matter - appendices, references and indexes
Exercises and feedback
Proofreading skills
The role of the proofreader
The difference between proofreading and copy-editing
Summary
