Intermediate Editing
Please note this course will launch in the Autumn of 2015. We are not yet accepting enrolments.
This advanced distance learning course builds on the skills learned in Basic Editing, and will give you the experience to tackle more complex material and challenging editorial tasks. Intermediate Editing is an online course using MS Word on-screen to complete the exercises and assignments.
This course and Basic Editing replace Copy-Editing by Distance Learning which is now closed to new students.
What is copy-editing?
The role of the copy-editor is to make the author’s message clear and accessible for the readers and to mark up the document for typesetting. That might sound simple, but it’s a complex job, involving an understanding of not only language and grammar but also production processes, typography and design conventions, and the extent – and limits – of responsibility and authority of each person involved in the process. It requires an enquiring mind, attention to detail, organisation and good communication skills.
Learning outcomes
At the end of Intermediate Editing you will be able to:
- manage more complex non-fiction projects
- deal efficiently with detailed table, technical drawings, figures and endmatter
- brief an illustrator and editor
How does the course work?
Intermediate Editing is delivered online giving you instant access to all course materials. You will be able to read the course notes on-screen, print them off, or save them to your desktop or other reading device. (It is also available as a printed version that is posted to you.)
The exercises and assignments are MS Word documents to be completed on-screen and submitted as a digital file for marking and commentary.
The course comprises three units which contain a number of self-check exercises plus an assignment that you send to the PTC for your tutor to mark.
It is possible to follow a printed version of the course. The exercises and assignments are completed on paper and submitted by post for marking and commentary.
Grammar skills
Good grammar is essential for a copy-editor. We strongly recommend that you also work through Grammar at Work. This normally costs £60, but if booked with the Intermediate Editing course, the price is reduced to £30.
Have a look through our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
If, once you have completed this course you want to extend your skills, you may also want to have a look at our Successful Editorial Freelancing by Distance Learning course.
Intermediate Editing by Distance Learning is supplied by the Publishing Qualifications Board (registered charity no. 1002928), a subsidiary of the Publishing Training Centre Foundation (registered charity no. 1083081). Registered office: 16 High Holborn, Lonodn Wc1V 6BX.