editing for the web
TRANSCRIPT
Editing for the Web Learn how to edit your online written
content to grab – and keep – your readers’ attention!
This module will cover:
1. What is editing?
2. What makes editing for the web different?
3. How should we edit?
?
What comes first
vs
What's the difference
Copy-editing Proofreading
The overall picture...
The details...
Would readers
like – and read
– this article? Would a mean
grammar
teacher like
this article?
Copy-editing Proofreading
As an editor of a
youth or citizen media outlet,
what are YOU looking for?
plagiarism &
sourcing
accuracy
form/format
style
appropriateness
consistency
objectivity /
balance
content
• no copy/paste
allowed here! (but
hyperlinks are)
correct spelling,
grammar, punctuation
& facts?
check length of article,
paragraphs, sentences
etc; title & sub-
headings?
followed your outlet’s style
guidelines / AP style?
article appropriate for your
outlet, your audience; &
tone appropriate?
article keeps consistent
format, style, tone, etc?
article covering both/all
sides of an argument?
multiple
quotes/opinions?
content logical &
interesting?
overall
structure
good?
consistent &
appropriate
style, tone,
etc?
how is the
content?
logical?
focused?
interesting?
Copy-editing
grammar
good?
check
details
!punctuation?
spellling?
are their
homonyms?
hyperlinks?
Proofreading
Citizen media editors normally need
to look out for all these things!
☺
Do you know @ny online tools
that can help you?
Online tools
To check for grammar, punctuation + more:
Grammarly
and to check for plagiarism:
VeriGuide
And many others. What do you need help with? What can you find?
What about online content?
Short headlines,
short paragraphs,
short sentences,
short everything!
Conciseness
Headline and first paragraph must be
snappy to draw the reader in.
Grab the reader’s attention!
Subheadings are essential
• Think in blocks. Each paragraph must stand
semi-independently from each other.
• Try using bullets or lists.
Scannable & Navigable?
Encourage the reader to
comment on, share, and dig
deeper into the article.
Eye-tracking technology shows
the general pattern to the way
people browse web-pages.
Here is an example of an article
RED = Most viewed
BLUE = Least viewed
Pattern generally is shaped like an
F
Consider creating your own editing checklist
The checklist should be a list of clear questions each
writer & editor needs to ask him/herself when
preparing an article for publication.
Q1:
Q2:
Q3:
Does the order matter?
A. ?
B. ?
C. ?
D. ?
E. ?
D. ?
C. ?
A. ?
B. ?
E. ?
