Sub-editing

Overview

Course duration: 2 days.

Many subs protest that theirs is a closely guarded art and not to be shared. Happily, we believe that successful subbing can readily be taught. Over the two days of this practical course, delegates will learn and practice the range of skills required for effective subbing.

Is it right for me?

Anyone who has been working as a sub for a short period (from six months to a year) and has had little or no formal tuition. Also suitable for subs with more experience who are keen to polish and fine-tune skills such as writing headlines and standfirsts.

What will I learn?

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

• Confidently handle copy at all stages of the editorial production process
• Assess, evaluate and mark up copy
• Write strong headlines and standfirsts
• Effectively proofread and page-handle
• Evaluate copy from your own publication and others
• Acquire new methods to take back to the office

Pre-course Activity

Please send by email to or by post to Hemsley Fraser Group Limited, St James Court, 74-94 Fore Street, Saltash, Plymouth, PL12 6JW at least 14 days prior to the course date: an example of unsubbed copy, of a commissioning brief and your house style guide, along with a copy of your publication.

What will it cover?

Introduction to Sub-Editing

• The task of the sub-editor
• The importance and difficulties of the job
• The basics: structure, language and cutting
• The sub as intermediary between writer and reader
• Subbing for your readership and house style
• Good grammar and when to break the rules
• Differences between features and news subbing

Features Subbing

• Assessing the copy
• Structuring and formatting the copy
• Reworking intros
• Shaping the flow, tone and flavour of the feature
• Links and transitions
• Endings
• Marking up, from raw copy to final proof

News Subbing

• Assessing the copy
• News structure
• Getting the intro right
• Writing strong headlines and standfirsts
• Making captions work
• Fact-checking
• Cutting to fit and marking up

Tips on Successful Proofreading and Page Handling

Review of Grammar, Punctuation and House Style

Further courses to consider

CSE-RSS: Rewriting and Subbing Specialist Copy

CSE-SM: Subbing Masterclass