Bloggers Need to Use Grammar Good, Too

We’ll admit, our grammar runs the gamut from spectacular to particularly horrendous, depending upon various factors including how tired we are, whether we are paying attention and if Plinko’s being played on The Price Is Right. We’ll also admit that even when it’s good, it could always be better. Luckily, the friendly folks in the mediabistro.com Learn department are here to help, with a course specifically for blog grammar and editing. Taught by longtime news editor Gary North, you’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know about making your blog error-free and the secrets of syntax. We’ll see you there.

More details after the jump.

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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