Online Editing II Course

This course provides a solid foundation to become a freelance editor, or to seek work as a proof reader.

Good editors are always in demand and with greater access to the internet you can work from virtually anywhere in the world.

Graduates of this course may well start with part time work editing web sites, newsletters or low circulation magazines; but over time (and perhaps with further study) can work up to full time employment as a proof reader, sub editor, book or magazine editor, copy editor, freelance editor, or even publishing assistant or publisher.

Editors work for publications both in house (eg. in a magazine, newspaper or web development office), or outside as contractors (eg. self employed from home).

Alone, this course does not make you a professional editor, but it can lead to valuable career opportunities when combined with other courses that develop your knowledge and skills in publishing and journalism.

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Editing

   • The role and scope of editing
   • Tools for editing
   • Editing skills
   • The production process
   • An overview; who does what in publishing
   •  

2. The Mechanics of Clear Writing

   • Spelling
   • Punctuation
   • Grammar
   • Language
   • Style
   • Tense

3. Assessing Manuscripts

   • Readability
   • Word length
   • Structure
   • Consistencies and inaccuracies
   • The reader’s report
   • Substantive editing
   • The author’s responsibilities
   • The author/editor relationship

4. Copy Editing I

   • What the copy editor does
   • The procedure
   • House style
   • Style sheets

5. Copy Editing II

   • Marking up
   • Parts of a publication
   • Editing non-text material
   • Illustration.

6. Preparing Copy for Printing

   • Type design
   • Page layout
   • Proof stages
7. Proof Reading

8. The Final Stages

   • Indexes
   • Blurbs
   • Checking final proofs

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• To gain an understanding of the role and scope of editing.
• Explain the importance of clear, effective writing, throughout all stages of the publishing process.
• Describe the procedure of manuscript assessment.
• Describe the procedures used by copy editors.
• Explain procedures used to prepare copy for printing.
• Describe the checks and procedures used in the final stages of preparing and printing publications.

For more information on this course, please request your free course information pack.