To encourage journalists to develop new skills, the Freelance Division has asked former NCTJ Chairman, Charlie Harris* – a very experienced journalist, editor, and journalism tutor - to run a basic subbing course for members on Sunday, 4 November. The workshop will run from 10-5pm, and includes a light lunch.

New Cavendish Club, 44 Great Cumberland Place, London W1H 7BS

£50 CIoJ members, £75 guests

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WHAT IS SUBBING?

The many functions of the sub-editor and how the role varies between
local and national newspapers and between newspapers and magazines

GLOSSARY

The language of subbing: a guide to the jargon and the verbal
shorthand of subbing, design, production and advertising

HANDLING RAW COPY

Checking, tightening and cutting copy: does it make sense?; is it what
the reader wants/needs?
Grammar, punctuation and language; house style
Story structures - news and features: intros and the inverted pyramid
The law: the sub's role as a legal backstop and a quick guide to legal
pitfalls he/she needs to be aware of, including the PCC/SoE code of
conduct

HEADLINES

How to write them: headline-ese; the active voice; tenses; punctuation
Does the story hold up the head?
Making them fit, including "good" and "bad" shapes; phrasing

CAPTIONS

Tips for writing them: clarifying the image
Caption stories

PROOF READING

The role of the proof reader
A guide to British Standard proof correction marks and how to use them

HANDOUTS

Participants will go home with:

Notes on the subjects covered
A glossary
Copies of the BSI proof correcting marks
A list of books on subbing and vital reference works

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PLEASE POST THIS FORM TO

Dominic Cooper, General Secretary, Chartered Institute of Journalists,

2 Dock Offices, Surrey Quays Road, London SE16 2XU

PAYMENT £50 BY CHEQUE (£75 guests or non-members)

YOUR NAME ………………………………………………………………….

ADDRESS ……………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………….

POSTCODE …………………………………………………………………….

PHONE or EMAIL …………………………………………………………..

*Charlie Harris has been a journalist for 34 years, working on and editing local newspapers and magazines in north London, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire, and a member of the Institute for 33 of those years. He has been involved in newspaper production for most of his career, from the days of hot metal to Quark Express and the internet. He has taught subs in-house and run subbing courses for the NCTJ. He served on the training council for many years, and chaired it from 1989-90.