The Craft of Editing
Improving other peoples work without erasing them.
An advanced course on editing at every level — structural, line and copy. It treats editing as a relationship as much as a technique, and spends considerable time on how to communicate a cut.
3.9h
Study time
11
Lessons
4
Modules
4.8
Rating
132 reviews
Enrolment
Enrol to open The Craft of Editing in the learning workspace, track progress and take the assessments.
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Subjects covered
5 topics
Knowledge map
What you will be able to do
- Diagnose whether a piece has a structural or a sentence problem
- Perform a structural edit that keeps the writers voice
- Line edit for rhythm, precision and economy
- Deliver an edit letter a writer can accept
Curriculum
4 modules · 11 lessons
- 01Structure, Line or CopyThe working method for structural edit, reduced to what actually matters.22m
- 02Reading for IntentMaking line edit explicit enough that somebody else could repeat it.20m
- 03The Problem Is Usually EarlierWhere voice usually goes wrong, and how to notice it early.24m
- 01Reordering Without RewritingMaking edit letters explicit enough that somebody else could repeat it.24m
- 02Cutting a Section a Writer LovesWhere economy usually goes wrong, and how to notice it early.22m
- 03Preserving Voice Under SurgeryMaking structural edit explicit enough that somebody else could repeat it.20m
- 01Verbs Carry the WeightA close look at line edit and the failures it is meant to prevent.20m
- 02Cadence and Sentence LengthThe judgement calls behind voice, and what each of them costs.22m
- 03Removing HedgesWhere edit letters usually goes wrong, and how to notice it early.18m
- 01Writing the Edit LetterThe judgement calls behind economy, and what each of them costs.24m
- 02Negotiating a Disputed CutA close look at structural edit and the failures it is meant to prevent.20m
Assessment
Assessment is by written response. Quizzes are retryable and explained after submission.
Quizzes
No quizzes in this course — assessment is by written submission and exercise.
Assignments
No assessed assignments — each lesson closes with an unassessed exercise.
What students say
- 5 out of 5Aiko Tanaka — Founder
Demanding in a useful way. The assignment came back with three specific criticisms, all correct, none of which I had thought about.
- 5 out of 5Idris Farah — Design lead
Not a beginner course despite the label, and better for it. Expect to reread the middle module.
- 5 out of 5Meike de Vries — Editor
The examples are drawn from ordinary situations rather than glamorous ones, which made them far easier to apply on Monday morning.
Fictional reviews — demonstration content only
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