editing for the web

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. ?

Thank you! Please visit www.altcity.me to learn more about our work