In today’s fast-paced digital world, where attention spans are shorter than ever, clear, concise and engaging writing is crucial. To help journalists, writers, and editors sharpen their skills, the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas is offering “Writing Tight and Editing Tighter: How to Keep Your Articles Short Enough to Get Read,” a free, two-week online course. The course runs from March 23 through April 6, 2025, and explores how to write concisely while preserving clarity, impact, and engagement.
“Writing Tight and Editing Tighter,” led by seasoned journalists John O’Neil and Jacques Steinberg, provides actionable techniques for crafting compelling, streamlined stories. O’Neil was an editor at The New York Times and Bloomberg News for nearly 40 years and has additional experience reporting on health and special education. Steinberg spent 25 years at The New York Times covering education, media and pop culture and is also a New York Times best-selling author.
During the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn from industry experts–”guest speakers”–like Calvin Sims, Joan Nassivera, and Tanzina Vega, who each bring a unique perspective to storytelling. Sims, former executive vice president for news standards at CNN and a former foreign correspondent for The New York Times, offers deep expertise in balancing journalistic integrity with clarity and conciseness. Nassivera, a seasoned editor at The New York Times, will reveal the art of refining stories for maximum precision and impact. Vega—an educator and consultant with experience at The Boston Globe, The New York Times, CNN and New York Public Radio—will share strategies for crafting narratives that truly connect with diverse audiences.
This asynchronous course is divided into two engaging modules. The first, “Writing Tight,” emphasizes the writer’s role in crafting concise articles from the outset. You’ll learn how to structure your reporting to meet word limits, revise effectively and eliminate unnecessary content while preserving your message.
The second, “Editing Tighter,” focuses on the editor’s perspective, teaching you how to assess a writer’s work, make careful edits and reorganize stories to improve clarity and engagement. With expert insights from our guest speakers, you’ll better understand the challenges and strategies involved in balancing brevity with impact.
“Writing Tight and Editing Tighter” is designed to fit into your schedule with a flexible, asynchronous format. You can engage with video lectures, readings, quizzes and discussions at your own pace. Optional live sessions with our instructors will be recorded and available for you to watch anytime. This allows you to learn when it’s most convenient for you—without any pressure.
Whether you’re a journalist looking to sharpen your writing or an editor who wants to guide others in crafting tighter, more impactful stories, this FREE course will give you the tools you need. No special software is required—just a computer, an internet connection and a commitment to improving your writing and editing skills.
Take the next step in your journalism career and learn how to make every word count. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best in the industry.
Register today and join us for this amazing learning experience that will help you craft stories that grab readers’ attention from the first sentence to the last!