Poynter ACES

The Poynter ACES Introductory Certificate in Editing is an introductory level certificate containing self-paced courses. You can enroll in the courses individually; however, you’ll receive a certificate only if you enroll in the certificate program and successfully complete the course assessments offered through it. This certificate program is a suggested prerequisite for the Poynter ACES In-Depth Editing Certificate.

This package includes six self-directed courses:

1. Fundamentals of Editing
   You will gain a solid foundation in the process of editing and the range of skills that provide clarity and accuracy to any form of writing.
2. The Art and Science of Editing
   You will learn to identify when you need to edit something, when you don’t and how to explain your changes to others.
3. Clarity is Key: Making Writing Clean and Concise
   Learn to clarify and streamline your writing by using straightforward words and stronger nouns and verbs.
4. Getting It Right: Accuracy and Verification in the Digital Age
   Acquire the knowledge and tools to become a more accurate journalist in the digital age.
5. Editing Everywhere All At Once: Writing for SEO, Social, Newsletters and More
   Get expert guidance in perfecting all the “other” words that need curating, from headlines to Youtube descriptions to social media posts.
6. Language Primer: Basics of Grammar, Punctuation and Word Use
   Practice the fundamentals of grammar and composition so you can write and edit with greater confidence.

This package includes four webinars and three self-directed courses:

1. Copyright Law and Fair Use for Journalists
   This self-directed course will help online content publishers understand the fair use doctrine and copyright law.
2. Curating Content: How to Aggregate Coverage
   Get the tools you need to curate web content for your readers quickly, accurately and effectively.
3. Fact-Checking and Debunking: Covering Rumors, Hoaxes and Gossip
   This webinar will help you identify hoaxes, debunk rumors and report on misinformation without perpetuating it.
4. Math for Journalists: How to Write About Numbers
   This self-directed course will help you confront the age of Big Data and use numbers accurately, ethically and elegantly in your writing and editing.
5. Spotting the Red Flags: How to Verify Information
   When you don’t have time to question everything before publication, where do you start? Learn how to stop mistakes before they happen.
6. Slimming it Down: Cutting Content for Different Spaces
   This webinar provides techniques for keeping the news without losing all the details, whether you’re creating a story for mobile, a brief or a tweet.
7. The Secret of Making Complicated Facts Easy Reading
   Learn to create a flow of information that offers just what the readers need to know — exactly when they need to know it.

The Poynter ACES Certificate in Accurate, Audience-Focused Editing is an intermediate level certificate containing self-paced courses. Enrollment in this certificate will automatically enroll you in all courses listed, plus their related assessments. Please note that enrolling in the courses separately will not count toward the certificate.

This certificate program is available on its own or as part of the Poynter ACES Advanced Editing Certificate, which also contains an online group seminar.

This advanced editing certificate is for experienced editors who are seeking to move their work to a new level. It’s a comprehensive training program for editors and writers who want to hone their skills and edit strategically instead of just tactically. If you’d like to be added to our list for alerts on the next time we offer this course, please email info@poynter.org.