Features Editing

Overview

Course duration: 1 day.

This course sets out to help create vibrant, must-read feature sections and concentrates as much on developing ideas that the reader will be interested in as on turning turgid copy into printable material. The main areas covered are: scheduling, idea development, briefing, structure and editing, and dealing with journalists.

Is it right for me?

Current and prospective features editors who want to know how to create destination sections in their publication.

What will I learn?

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the different forms of feature, helping create a balanced features schedule, which keep your readers' attention
• Create an awareness of all the elements that bring a feature to life on the page
• Look at how to structure features and introduce elements such as strong introductions and billboards in order to make them immediately relevant to your readers
• Find ways of dealing with freelance writers - giving them what they want but keeping the difficult ones in their box

Pre-course Activity

Delegates should prepare a five minute presentation on who their reader is, to bring along to the course together with:

-three examples of contributor’s copy they have been disappointed with,

-the original commissioning letters (if applicable)

-two features that need editing.

Also, please send a copy of your publication(s), 14 days prior the course date to Hemsley Fraser Group Limited, St James Court, 74-94 Fore Street, Saltash, Plymouth, PL12 6JW.

What will it cover?

First Impressions

• What's the message?
• Is it clear?
• Did you want to finish the piece?
• Will it answer your readers' questions?

The Second Read Through

• Does it sell itself?: - standfirst
• Should anything be added?
• Does the structure work?

Deal with the Contributor

• Asking for clarification
• Gaining new information
• Asking for a rewrite

Edit

• Altering the structure
• Introductions and the billboard
• Working with the language
• Improving the flow and links
• Ensuring balance in your section
• How to find and work with writers
• Visuals - thinking beyond the words
• Writing a clear brief
• Keeping the reader's interest
• Options on structure