Substantive Editing Workshop

Length and Cost

 

Virtual Workshops

Duration and Scheduling: One 2.5-hour session
Instructor and Materials Fee: $700
Registration Fee Per Participant: $300

 

On-Site Workshops

Duration: One 2.5-hour session
Instructor and Materials Fee: $700
Registration Fee Per Participant: $300

 

Virtual Workshops During COVID-19

Currently, we are only offering virtual workshops due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To check on the status of on-site workshop options, or for any other questions, please email program director Jessica McCaughey at [email protected].

 

Description

Substantive editing (also known as comprehensive, developmental and/or structural editing), is the process of assessing and improving a document at the highest level, including organization, structure, argument, scope, audience, length and style. Rooted in rhetorical principles that apply across industries, this workshop teaches strategies and ways of thinking for each.


Outcomes

In this workshop, participants will learn to:

  • Understand the differences and key tasks involved in substantive or comprehensive editing and copyediting
  • Identify and assess features of the structure, organization and argument of a document
  • Articulate why this phase of editing necessarily excludes copyediting and proofreading
  • Consider the process of providing feedback to other workplace writers as an opportunity to teach, rather than simply “correct”
  • Work through a series of key substantive editing questions for better documents
  • Evaluate the editing process within their team or organization and advocate for improvements

To schedule a workshop or for more information, please contact [email protected] or complete the GW Workplace Writing Inquiry Form.