Distance learning is the ideal solution for anyone wanting to train as a news journalist, features writer, freelance writer or creative writer without having to juggle an existing career or other commitments. Simply by studying at home and corresponding regularly with your tutor you can set yourself on the path to knowledge and success - all while working at your own pace.

Subediting and Design Syllabus

This immensely practical course provides a comprehensive introduction to production journalism in newspapers and magazines. We aim to give students a thorough grounding in all aspects of tasting, editing and projecting copy for publication, avoiding legal pitfalls, writing appropriate headlines, captions and standfirsts, laying out finished pages and using pictures, text and associated page furniture to maximum effect. The 12-part course provides all the essential "know-how" required for established writers to get to grips with production tasks and is also ideally suited for any students embarking on desktop publishing projects.

Lesson 1 - What Is A Subeditor?

An introduction to the unsung heroes of the editorial operation - the men and women working behind the scenes in newspapers and magazines who use words, headlines, pictures and eye-catching page designs to grab the readers' attention and keep them 'hooked'. The sub-editor's precise role is explained in detail, along with the subbing process and what is meant by 'house style' and 'Newspaper English'. Students are taught the importance not just of correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, but the ability to transform lacklustre prose into concise, vigorous language - and check every conceivable fact in the process.

Assessment tasks include:
• identifying personal aims and ambitions
• researching the effective - and inappropriate - use of Newspaper English

Lesson 2 - What Is News?

Students learn the importance of accuracy, balance and consistency in a publication, along with the skills and qualities expected of an experienced subeditor. They discover which factors dictate what makes news and learn how to develop a keen 'news sense', as well as understanding how to structure an effective news story by identifying the strongest angle and intro.

Assessment tasks include:
• editing news fillers for publication
• cutting and rewriting longer stories

Lesson 3 - Copy Editing

Students learn how to identify and eliminate wasteful words and avoid using inverted sentences, jargon, clichés and slang. They familiarise themselves with the formal proof-correction marks used in preparing copy for publication and the techniques involved in editing and cutting copy against the clock.

Assessment tasks include:
• re-writing poorly constructed news intros
• proof correcting

Lesson 4 - Journalists And The Law - 1

Journalists must know when the law restricts what they can write and how they can avoid costly legal action. The buck stops where? Students learn about the dangers of libel and other pitfalls; qualified privilege and unintentional defamation; criminal libel; and the need for fairness and accuracy. Fair comment, malice and slander are explained, along with the risks and implications of mistaken identity.

Assessment tasks include:
• reviewing passages for libellous content
• handling a variety of legal dilemmas

Lesson 5 - Headlines

Students learn how to write lively, accurate and appropriate headlines that fit the space available. They explore the differences in approach on news, sport and features pages and discover the role of headlines in selling stories to the readers. They learn of the need for originality and the pitfalls involved in puns and wordplay, along with the role and uses of straplines, subheads and taglines. They also find out how to recognise stories that call for a 'special treatment'.

Assessment tasks include:
• identifying effective and inappropriate headlines
• writing headlines to length for real news stories

Lesson 6 - First Steps In Design

Students learn how type has the power to convey a variety of messages and how typographical knowledge is harnessed in the production of newspapers and magazines, paying particular attention to clarity, impact and intended message. They examine the factors which decide an editor's approach to design and layout and get to grip with some basic design principles. They also examine how different design techniques are used to achieve specific effects.

Assessment tasks include:
• conducting a design analysis of national or regional titles

Lesson 7 - Journalists And The Law - 2

In this section of the course students discover why a sound knowledge of the law is vital to the subediting process. They learn what rights are enjoyed by the Press and how these relate to those of any private citizen. They explore what is meant by contempt of court and how they can recognise situations or stories in which there is an inherent danger of potential contempt. Reporting restrictions are discussed in detail, along with the particular dangers relating to the coverage of the youth courts and sexual offences. They are also made aware of the role and relevance of the Official Secrets Acts.

Assessment tasks include:
• identifying which reporting restrictions apply in different circumstances
• handling a range of legal dilemmas in stories for publication

Lesson 8 - Subediting Tasks - 1

Students learn how to handle and process copy for publication and what options are open to them to approve, correct, cut, change or spike stories. A variety of practical subediting tasks help to reinforce the importance of correct spelling, punctuation and grammar, along with ways of tackling some of the taste and ethics issues faced in their work.

Assessment tasks include:
• identifying and correcting incorrect spelling and punctuation
• editing copy for publication

Lesson 9 - Planning For Publication

Students learn how to plan a publication from scratch and the steps involved in formulating a clear working brief. They are shown how to draw up a flat plan and use it to plan content, and learn of the different stages involved in any publication's production cycle. Starting with a blank page, they learn how to draw up a design brief, how to divide a page into columns of text and the principles behind modular page design. They also learn how to select typefaces appropriate to the character of the publication they are planning.

Assessment tasks include:
• planning the content and front-page layout for an 8-page A4 newsletter

Lesson 10 - Advanced Design Techniques

Students explore the means of achieving maximum impact from their page layouts, using rules, borders, anchors, hampers and sidebars. They learn how to crop and size pictures and how to incorporate a variety of other design elements, including raised and drop capitals, tints, reversals, boxes and borders, in creating complex news and features pages.

Assessment tasks include:
• sizing and positioning pictures
• incorporating text, pictures and other design elements in finished page designs

Lesson 11 - Subediting Tasks - 2

Students get another hands-on opportunity to put their new skills to the test, this time focusing on headline-writing and page design tasks, consolidating and revising skills learned to date.

Assessment tasks include:
• writing headlines for publication
• drawing up pages, incorporating text, pictures and headlines

Lesson 12 - Final Briefing

The final lesson give students the vital preparation required to launch their subediting careers, whether on a part- or full-time basis. Detailed revision notes provide an opportunity to tie up any loose ends in their training, with business-like advice aimed at providing a firm foundation for pursuing a professional approach to future subediting assignments.

Assessment tasks include:
• drawing up a personal 12-month action plan with clear achievement targets