Sub Editing: Introduction



This course is designed to help you develop the skills you need to be an outstanding sub editor; an orderly mind, scepticism, an eye for detail, an obsession with accuracy and the ability to work quickly under pressure.

This two day course utilises practical examples throughout and is ideal for those new to sub editing as well as writers and journalists who wish to tighten and fine-tune their own copy.

This is an ideal introduction for those new to sub editing.

Pre-Course Requirements

You need no previous sub editing experience to attend this course.

  • Developing the "sub's eye"
    How to learn the knack of spotting the errors that might pass an average reader by but which the sub editor must always correct

    Six essential checks
    The six routine checks that will uncover the majority of potential errors in copy and help the sub editor get it right every time

    When to change copy and when to leave it alone
    • When to cut and when to rewrite
    • Editing copy to fit

    Sub editing news
    • News stories follow a particular set format - how to ensure a news story is written correctly

    Sub editing features and opinion pieces
    • Features have a different structure to news stories - how to sub a feature
    • What you can and can't do to an opinion piece
  • Writing headlines, standfirsts, captions and other "sells"
    This is the most creative part of sub editing, the most fun and - in terms of getting a reader to actually read a story - the most important
    • Creating eye-catching "sells"
    • The secrets of writing a good headline

    An essential guide to proofing
    • Good proofreading techniques

    Tips on keeping the writer happy
    • How to have good working relations with your writers

    How to sub your own copy
    On publications with a small team, writers often have to sub their own copy. It's difficult to spot errors you have committed yourself so this course covers key steps to help you sub your own work

    What sub editors need to know about media law
    • Spotting potentially expensive legal errors
    • Legal points you must be aware of and what to do if you are unsure

    Questions and answers