WHEN Wednesday, August 20, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE University Settlement, 273 Bowery (at E. Houston), New York, NY 10002 PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info

Course Details

Did you ever wonder exactly what fact-checkers do? Or why they're even necessary? Do you want to learn more about the ins and outs of editorial research and what it takes to enter the world of facts? If so, this seminar is for you.

Since fact-checkers work closely with editors, writers, copy editors, and production staff, they gain a thorough understanding of what it takes to put out a magazine. And by retracing the footsteps of reporters and writers while bringing their own expertise to the table, they learn how to be reporters. It's a great way to start out in magazines, hone a skill you can use in the freelance job market, or become a life-long truth-warrior.

This seminar will answer the following questions:

• What, exactly, is fact-checking, and why is it necessary?
• How do various publications fact-check?
• What sources are considered valid?
• Why is there sometimes some tension between fact-checkers and writers and/or editors?
• How might fact-checking apply to future jobs?
• What is the career path to being a research editor?

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Instructor Bio

Katherine Wessling's Courses

Katherine Wessling has fact-checked for magazines including Esquire, Newsweek International, Ladies' Home Journal, Us, In Touch, Star, and Teen People. She was associate research editor at Glamour and headed up the research department at Good Housekeeping. Katherine has also done primary research for Sky magazine, Chic Simple books, and playwright Eve Ensler (for The Good Body). She's attended and/or participated in numerous MPA and ASME seminars on fact-checking.
Her other journalism experience includes: contributing literary editor for Swing, senior editor at Speak, and editor-in-chief of (ai) performance for the planet. She's also been a commentator on WNYC's broadcast of NPR's Morning Edition.

photo credit: Susan Shacter

Testimonials

Katherine's in-depth knowledge of fact-checking and her on-the-job anecdotes made this course both informative and fun. -- Lisa Sabatini

"Katherine drew on many illustrative examples from her career as she led us through the basics and answered our questions. Her real-world examples were invaluable, and she was always engaging." -- Dustin Smith

"Katherine is an industry veteran who can share as many useful tips as she can interesting anecdotes. I highly recommend her course for anyone lost on how to get started in the magazine research world." -- Janine Yu

"I was very impressed. I loved how Katherine balanced her anecdotes with more technical information. It kept the class interesting." -- Jessica Feder, editorial assistant, Country Living

"The class was very helpful in my role as fact-checker at the Seton Hall University Magazine. Katherine was able to successfully communicate the basics of fact-checking." -- Isabel Bauer, Graduate Assistant, Seton Hall University

"Katherine was very personable. Her anecdotes are enjoyable and helped me gain a better grasp of how interesting the fact-checking process really can be." -- Daniel Quiterio, Proofreader, JWT