Editing Course

Lesson 1 • Types of Editing Explained

Surveys developmental, line, copy, and substantive editing. Students match each type to real-world publishing contexts and client needs.

Lesson 2 • The Editorial Mindset

Develops critical reading habits and objective judgment essential to editing. Connects mindset to consistent, high-quality editorial decisions.

Lesson 3 • Core Editorial Standards

Introduces style guides, house style, and consistency principles. Students understand why standards exist and how to apply them uniformly.

Lesson 1 • Style and Register Awareness

Distinguishes formal, informal, and technical registers and their editorial requirements. Students adjust language to match audience and purpose.

Lesson 2 • Parts of Speech in Context

Reviews nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and their editorial implications. Grounds grammar knowledge in practical editing decisions.

Lesson 3 • Common Grammar Errors in Practice

Targets high-frequency errors editors encounter in professional manuscripts. Students build pattern recognition for fast, accurate correction.

Lesson 4 • Sentence Structure and Syntax

Examines clauses, phrases, and sentence types to diagnose structural problems. Students correct run-ons, fragments, and faulty parallelism.

Lesson 1 • Working with Style Guides

Teaches efficient navigation and application of major style guides during editing. Students resolve style conflicts and document decisions.

Lesson 2 • The Copyediting Process

Maps the step-by-step workflow from first read to final pass. Students internalize a repeatable process that ensures thoroughness.

Lesson 3 • Proofreading vs. Copyediting in Practice

Distinguishes the scope and deliverables of proofreading from copyediting. Students calibrate their effort to the correct editorial stage.

Lesson 4 • Spelling, Capitalization, and Hyphenation

Addresses the most common mechanical inconsistencies in manuscripts. Students apply rules and maintain a running style sheet.

Lesson 1 • Preserving the Author's Voice

Balances editorial improvement with respect for the author's distinctive style. Students learn where to intervene and where to step back.

Lesson 2 • Improving Sentence Flow and Rhythm

Teaches sentence variety, transition use, and cadence to improve readability. Students rewrite choppy or monotonous passages for better flow.

Lesson 3 • Diagnosing Weak Prose

Identifies wordiness, vagueness, and structural weakness at the sentence level. Students build diagnostic speed through targeted exercises.

Lesson 4 • Word Choice and Precision

Focuses on selecting exact, appropriate words to replace vague or imprecise language. Students build vocabulary judgment for editorial decisions.

Lesson 1 • Character and Argument Development

Evaluates character consistency in fiction and logical coherence in nonfiction. Students provide targeted feedback on development weaknesses.

Lesson 2 • Managing Revision Rounds

Covers the iterative revision process between editor and author. Students track changes, compare drafts, and close revision loops professionally.

Lesson 3 • Writing the Editorial Report

Teaches how to compile findings into a clear, constructive editorial letter. Students draft reports that guide authors through revision effectively.

Lesson 4 • Assessing Manuscript Structure

Analyzes overall organization, argument flow, and chapter or section logic. Students identify structural gaps before line-level editing begins.

Lesson 1 • Academic and Technical Editing

Applies discipline-specific standards to scholarly and technical documents. Students handle citations, terminology, and formal register requirements.

Lesson 2 • Digital and Web Content Editing

Adapts editorial skills to online formats including articles, blogs, and UX copy. Students apply readability and SEO-aware editing principles.

Lesson 3 • Editing Fiction Manuscripts

Addresses genre conventions, dialogue, point of view, and continuity in fiction. Students apply fiction-specific editorial criteria to sample texts.

Lesson 4 • Business and Corporate Editing

Edits reports, proposals, and communications for professional business contexts. Students apply concision, clarity, and brand voice standards.

Lesson 1 • Track Changes and Commenting

Masters the track changes and comment features used in professional editorial exchange. Students practice clean, professional markup communication.

Lesson 2 • Style Sheets and Reference Tools

Builds and maintains editorial style sheets and reference libraries for projects. Students create reusable tools that ensure cross-document consistency.

Lesson 3 • Quality Control and Final Checks

Establishes a final quality control routine before delivering edited work. Students apply a systematic checklist to catch last-minute errors.

Lesson 4 • Managing Multiple Projects

Develops systems for tracking deadlines, versions, and client communications. Students design a personal project management workflow.

Lesson 1 • Contracts, Rates, and Agreements

Introduces editorial contracts, fee structures, and scope-of-work agreements. Students draft basic agreements that protect both parties.

Lesson 2 • Working with Authors and Clients

Builds skills for professional author relationships, feedback delivery, and negotiation. Students practice communication strategies that preserve trust.

Lesson 3 • Continuing Professional Development

Maps pathways for ongoing skill growth, specialization, and professional community. Students create a personal development plan for the next year.

Lesson 4 • Building an Editorial Portfolio

Guides students in curating work samples and presenting credentials professionally. Students produce a portfolio-ready editorial sample.