Editing Essentials: Commissioning, Briefing and Feedback 

How to improve your briefing skills as an editor and give constructive feedback

This half-day editing essentials course will give you tools to help step up into an editing role, covering topics such as what makes a successful ideas meeting, writing solid briefs and tips for editing writers’ work. 

What you’ll learn: The role of the editor

Even journalists with years of experience can struggle when making the leap from writing to an editing role. This course will give you a solid understanding of what it takes to be a good editor, starting with how to run brainstorming sessions and meetings that encourage genius ideas. 

You’ll take a close look at the briefing process and discuss why it matters, and through practical exercises, learn how to write concise guidelines that will steer writers through penning articles on even the most complex of topics.   

You’ll also take part in editing exercises and learn what to look out for when reviewing writers’ work, before covering one of the trickiest parts of an editor’s job – giving constructive feedback.  

How you’ll learn

This two-module editing essentials course will be led by an experienced editor, who will share their knowledge and expertise through presentations, discussion and practical exercises.  

Who the course is for  

This course is for anyone who is in – or aspires to be in – an editing role and wants to refine their skills.  

You might like to consider our full-day course, How to be a Brilliant Editor. Some of our other courses which are well-suited to editors are the Editorial Planning for Digital Teams Masterclass and How to be a Sub-editing Superhero.

We currently offer this course as bespoke training for teams and can deliver it remotely or in your offices. Get in touch using the button below to discuss times and dates, as well as how we can tailor it to your needs. 

If you are an individual looking for training, you can find all our scheduled courses here

cOURSE MODULES 

Commissioning: Idea to Brief

  1. Generating ideas
  2. Running an ideas meeting
  3. Why briefing matters
  4. How to brief
  5. Editing to brief

Fundamentals of Storytelling

  1. The role of the editor 
  2. The speedy edit  
  3. Giving writer feedback  
  4. The longer edit  
  5. The final polish 

Editing Essentials: Commissioning, Briefing and Feedback 

How to improve your briefing skills as an editor and give constructive feedback

Get in touch

What our students say

View all testimonials

The training scenarios are as real to life as you could possibly get. They took considerable time to research our current plans and issues and used these to design a series of true to life radio and TV interviews. The team is outstanding, and their expertise and knowledge has been invaluable. Book them – you’ll be glad you did.

NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group
, Communications Manager

The staff truly go above and beyond, providing detailed feedback, a wealth of knowledge and many career opportunities. I’d recommend the course to any budding journalist. You’ll have fun, too!  

Erin Waks
, Trainee Sub-Editor
, Daily Mail

The small class sizes nurture a comfortable environment where everyone supports and learns from each other. The staff helped me hone in on my writing skills and develop the confidence to feel comfortable on camera.

Camilla Foster
, Reporter
, Newsquest

The teaching I received was second to none and despite having no experience whatsoever in journalism, the tutors made sure there was a friendly environment where I felt welcome to ask any questions I needed. I was able to finish the course and go into a job working for The Sun.

Olivia Allhusen
, Junior Journalist
, The Sun

Not only did I develop the necessary toolkit to become a journalist, but I also did so in an environment that fosters a real sense of community and personal career support.

Erin Waks
, Trainee Sub-Editor
, Daily Mail

The lifelike interview settings and tasks that PA Media Training deal in replicate perfectly the real-world feel of a tough media interview and help the delegates come out of the day feeling much more confident that they can play an active role in representing their organisation.

Transport for London
, Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs

Contact us

For more information , simply fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.