WEEK EIGHT

The Role of the Sub-Editor

Subs have five main roles. They need to:

•  Ensure the stories they edit are easy to understand.

•  Check everything that can be checked, and check again.

•  Ensure that writers are not leading the newspaper into trouble with the law.

•  Process stories against technical and production requirements such as ensuring copy is in house style, and cutting or expanding the story to fill the news hole.

•  Create headlines, captions, and design pages.

Skills a sub should have:

•  Know their audience – the right tone

•  Know the English language intimately

•  Know how to use a range of reference books

•  Be numerate

•  Respect the writer's work

•  Know the law, or who to turn to.

•  Know the house style

•  Understand typography and design principles.