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EDITING I - BWR106

Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
Statement of Attainment

Edit Like a Pro: Introduction to Editing Course

  • Online Course. 8 lessons. Expert tutors. Self-paced. Start anytime.
  • Study clear writing skills, copyediting, preparing copy, proofreading etc.
  • Suitable for proofreaders, editors and authors.

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COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

Lesson 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?

Lesson 2. The Mechanics of Clear Writing

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

Lesson 3. Assessing Manuscripts

  • Readability
  • Word Length
  • Structure
  • Consistencies and Inaccuracies
  • The Reader’s Report
  • Substantive Editing
  • The Author’s Responsibilities
  • The Author/Editor Relationship

Lesson 4. Copy Editing I

  • Copy Editing
  • Procedure
  • House Style
  • Style Sheets

Lesson 5. Copy Editing II

  • Marking Up
  • Parts of A Publication
  • Editing Non-Text Material
  • Illustrations

Lesson 6. Preparing Copy for Printing

  • Type Design
  • Page Layout
  • Proof Stages

Lesson 7. Proofreading

  • Role
  • Procedures
  • Tips

Lesson 8. The Final Stages

  • Indexes
  • Blurbs (Promotional Content Summaries)
  • Checking Final Proofs

COURSE AIMS

  • To gain an understanding of the role and scope of editing.
  • Understand 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.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Study Editing?

Editing I is an introductory course to editing.  The best editors are detail-oriented and love language. They're not nit-picky for the sake of nitpicking - they are nit-picky because they're focussed on communication and messaging. An editor's role is to work with a writer, to achieve the best version of a piece.

Although it may seem like only editors need editing skills, the clarity, concision, and precision required are useful across many industries. For example, marketing, business and education.

In this course, you will work with our expert teachers to improve your understanding of these core concepts and take your communications skills to the next level.

Who Is This Course Suitable For?

This course is useful for anyone who would like to work in the world of editing. Or anyone wanting to improve their editing skills.

Editing is useful in many different areas of life. For example -

  • Writers wanting to improve their written word.
  • Marketing professionals writing adverts, presentations and newsletters.
  • Content creators
  • Vloggers and bloggers
  • Businesspeople writing reports and presentations.
  • Teachers preparing courses and textbooks
  • Students editing your assignments and presentations.

This course is suitable for anyone involved in creating, checking or editing the written word.

What Will You Learn in This Course?

  • Learn about the Editor's role by distance learning
  • Make good work great work with this foundation editing course.
  • Discover the keys to clear, effective messaging.
  • Learn about the role of the editor.
  • Understand the different types of editing and proofreading.
  • Learn how to mark a manuscript.
  • Learn more about the publication process from start to finish.
  • Learn about working to house styles and using style sheets.
  • Develop a knowledge of design and layout.
  • Learn about the final stages of proofing and preparing content for publication.

This course is suitable for professional/career development, CPD or personal interest.

What do our students say about this course?

"It took me a while but in the end, it was a very useful course for my work. I would like to really thank my tutor for all her feedback which improved my proofreading skills."
Premo Jackniacki

How does the course work?

The course requires around 100 hours of study.  It is made up of 8 lessons. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment to submit to your tutor for marking and feedback. You can also contact your tutor with any questions throughout the course.

Who are the Writing Tutors on the Course?

The course was written and developed by international writers and tutors, including –

John Mason - author of over 150 books, 2000+ articles, for a range of publishers including Simon and Schuster, Landlinks Press (CSIRO Publishing), Harper Collins and Hyland House.

Rosemary Davies – Horticultural writer and presenter. Full time columnist with the Herald and Weekly Times for years.  Worked for a number of companies in writing and publications.

Tracey Jones – Psychologist and writer. Course writer and developer for over 25 years. Fiction writer, particularly interested in supernatural fiction and folklore. 

What Next?

You can enrol today by clicking the “Enrol Now” button above.

Or

Click here to contact a writing tutor.

Or Request a Prospectus Here.
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

John MasonMr Mason has worked 45+ years in Writing, Education, Horticulture and Recreation. His experience in both public & private sectors is extensive; particularly across Australia and England.
Alison Pearce (general)P.G.Cert. Ed., M.Ecotourism, S.Sc. (Hons). Alison has held many positions including: University Lecturer, Writer, Quality Assurance Manager, Research Technician, Vet Nurse and stockwoman. Over 30 years industry experience, mostly in Australia and the UK.. Alison originally graduated with an honors degree in science from university and beyond that has completed post graduate qualifications in education and eco-tourism. She has managed veterinary operating theatre, responsible for animal anaesthesia, instrument preparation, and assistance with surgical techniques and procedures.
Jade SciasciaBiologist, Business Coordinator, Government Environmental Dept, Secondary School teacher (Biology); Recruitment Consultant, Senior Supervisor in Youth Welfare, Horse Riding Instructor (part-completed) and Boarding Kennel Manager. Jade has a B.Sc.Biol, Dip.Professional Education, Cert IV TESOL, Cert Food Hygiene.
Tracey Jones (writing)Tracey has enjoyed creative writing since she was a child. She has had several short stories published and a novella. She is also a keen writer of children's stories and poetry. She has also written many academic and non-fiction books in the fields of psychology, sociology, child development, writing and marketing.


Check out our eBooks

English GrammarThe English Grammar ebook can be a great reference for students, people who are learning English and anybody who writes anything- ever. The English Grammar ebook takes grammar back to basics to help confirm correct use of grammar. Topics that are covered within this course include 1/ Introduction- the components of language, 2/ Types of words, 3/ Punctuation, 4/ Upper and lower case, abbreviations, numbers, bullet points and 5/ Using words together.
How to be a Successful EditorThere are plenty of books that show you the processes involved in editing; but knowing the process is in itself not enough to be a successful editor. This book not only covers aspects of the process; but it also goes beyond the process; showing you things that may help you to become better than the “average” editor.
Professional WritingProfessional writing is any writing that you are being paid for. It can include fiction writing, a best-selling book, articles in a magazine, articles in a newspaper, blogs for companies, technical manuals or procedure manuals, copy for catalogues, newsletters, text books and other academic material and so on.
Technical WritingThe Technical Writing ebook has been written for anybody who would like to become a technical writer, add technical writing to their repertoire of skills, or improve their technical writing skills. Technical Writing is not just limited to scientific or technical documents, is necessary for writing manuals, reports or promotional materials. To be a technical writer you must have a broad range of skills in order to secure employment or ongoing projects, if you are working as a freelance technical writer. To work successfully in this field you will need: - Excellent communication skills - Logic and precision - Excellent word processing skills - To be able to manage projects - To work efficiently and independently - A solid, broad education - Improving your skills and knowledge - Great networking skills