Back to Home > Courses and Seminars > Grammar and Editing for Bloggers

Grammar and Editing for Bloggers

Make your blog or website clear, correct, and trustworthy

Grammar and Editing for Bloggers
Click to Apply

WHEN 4 weeks, September 14 - October 12
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.

Related Courses

Tell me when courses like this are scheduled.
• Online News Writing – ONLINE (Class starts September 16)
• Boot Camp for Journalists – ONLINE (Class starts September 17)

Instructor Bio

Gary North's Courses

Copy Editing Essentials – Los Angeles (Seminar on October 6)
Grammar and Editing for Bloggers – (Class starts September 14)
Intro to Copy Editing – Los Angeles (Class starts October 20)

Gary North
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.



Testimonials


I feel lucky to have taken this course. I learned a lot about the craft of editing, and by the time the class was over, I was better at it. I think 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 e-mail us supplemental material, and his willingness to help his students outside of the course." -- Andrew Wisot, freelance copywriter

"The class had valuable information that I hadn't been able to acquire elsewhere. All the handouts were relevant and useful, and they included an extensive list of online resources for employable copyeditors that I'll start using immediately. Gary North did a wonderful job!" -- Lynette M. Smith, owner, All My Best Business & Nonfiction Copyediting

"I learned more than I had expected. My boss is already assigning me more copy editing jobs, and co-workers are coming to me for style questions. If I don't know the answer, I know exactly where to find one." -- Freddy Puza

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

AvantGuild* Discounts on mediabistro.com courses are just one of the wonderful benefits of being in AvantGuild, our premium membership program. For just $59 a year, you'll receive instant access to our How to Pitch articles and other premium articles, transcripts from selected seminars and panels, and discounts on virtually everything we do (including eClasses and the Freelance Marketplace)! Click here to join now.