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Grammar and Editing for Bloggers

Make your blog or website clear, correct, and trustworthy

Course is closed.

WHEN 4 weeks, September 28 - October 26
Chats Sundays, 8-9 pm ET

WHERE Online. Click here for more information.

LEVEL Intro

PRICE
$350 ($325 for )
more info

Course Details

You're a one-person operation and can't afford a copy editor. But you also can't afford the embarrassment and loss of credibility that can come from misstating facts, committing lapses in sentence logic, and misspelling names and other words -- or, worse, using the wrong words. How do you avoid constructing sentences that end up so convoluted that they contradict what you meant to say? What if they become so confusing that you drive readers away? In this class, you will learn how to successfully edit your own blog or website without becoming a grammar geek or losing your own distinctive voice.

In this class, you will learn:

The secrets of the syntax (sentence structure) with respect to the modern blog reader accustomed to SMS shorthand
Why punctuation still matters in this era of rapid reading
How to to use punctuation to effectively communicate with your audience
Why a styleguide is important and why consistency of style in your spelling and punctuation gives your blog greater respect
How to fact-check and vet your information -- and why it's important in this age of search engines and instant permanent databases
How to copy edit or proofread your blog or site to catch as many errors as possible

Admission Requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

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Copy Editing

Necessary Knowledge (for Everyone)

Instructor Bio

Gary North is a longtime news editor, copy editor, writer and reporter who has worked for such chains as Knight-Ridder, Gannett, Belo and MediaNews Group plus numerous independent publications and websites as well as affiliates of CBS and PBS. He's also worked as a public information officer and in public relations departments of various nonprofits plus for-profits including Southern California Edison. He is a former president of the Los Angeles Newspaper Guild and currently works as a senior copy editor and features copy chief at Variety and Daily Variety.

Gary North's Courses
No courses available at this time.

Testimonials

Gary is an extremely knowledgeable instructor and role model. He is easy to approach with questions and encourages comments, explaining topics and answering questions thoroughly. -- Candice Ota

"I feel lucky to have taken this course. I learned a lot about the craft of editing. I'm a stronger editor now and I look forward to applying all the things I learned in this class in the near future." -- Tim Crowley

"Gary was an exceptional instructor. In addition to being insightful and passionate about the field, he was always courteous to everyone in class. I was especially impressed with the efforts he made to email us supplemental material, and his willingness to help his students outside of the course." -- Andrew Wisot

"The class had valuable information that I hadn't been able to acquire elsewhere. All the handouts were relevant and useful, and included an extensive list of online resources for employable copy editors that I'll start using immediately." -- Lynette M. Smith

"Gary was very knowledgeable, articulate, easy to follow, and perhaps most important, he really respected the craft and communicated the importance of doing the job well." -- Odin Ozdil

"Gary went that extra mile to make sure we all got what we needed from the class. He offered to help each of us in the future and I fully plan to take him up on that." -- Gail Wichert

"Gary was fantastic. He asked each of us about our goals as it pertained to the class, and if he sensed an interest in a particular topic, he delved into further detail. He handled questions and class participation with agility and patience." -- Christine Podbielski

"Gary is a wonderful teacher, and his instruction helped me to refocus my work habits and provided an excellent reminder that copy editing can be fun." -- Joyce Pennell

"I learned so many valuable skills that I will carry with me throughout my career. Gary's enthusiasm for copy editing and kind demeanor made every class a pleasure." -- Angela Salazar

"I am grateful to have been a part of a course as informative as this one, and I would gladly take another course." -- Patricia Lawrence

"Before I took this class I respected copy editors. Now I worship the ground they walk on. Gary has such vast knowledge and he was so enthusiastic about sharing it. I especially enjoyed and learned from all his anecdotes. This was an excellent course." -- Lee Alexander

"I got much more than I expected out of the course. Gary is a wonderful teacher and is very knowledgeable and passionate about his work!" -- Julia Kataoka

"Gary's insights into copy editing were both entertaining and informative. The time flew by." -- Tom Owens

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