Geri Young Williams
This course introduces students to the basics of fact-checking. Students will learn how to verify data, names, places, statistics, etc. in order to ensure the accuracy of manuscripts and the veracity of claims made by authors.
In an age when so many writers rely on secondary or tertiary sources, unverified websites, and artificial intelligence to help create manuscripts, how can editors ensure that texts are accurate? Many editors—from copy editors to developmental editors—provide limited fact-checking services while editing. This typically takes the form of verifying names, dates, and places. But what about verifying facts related to history or current events? To data and statistics? To scientific or medical findings? In Fact-Checking for Editors, students will learn why fact-checking is more important than ever, which editorial points should be verified, and how to properly ensure accuracy in a manuscript.
Skills / Knowledge
- Data verification for fact checking, including but not limited to names, places, statistics, to ensure claim accuracy made by authors.
- Understanding and proper usage of fact-checking conventions, methods, and techniques to manuscripts.
- Identification of accurate sources.
- Recognition of common errors in fact-checking process.
- Understanding of business context and responsibilities associated with fact-checking.