Two people sitting at a desk looking at a computer screen. Instructor is pointing out something on the screen to the student.

The Bremner Editing Center

Services

The Bremner Editing Center offers one-on-one editing assistance for students in the School of Journalism. You may walk in or make an appointment. Appointments are not necessary but people with appointments take priority over walk-ins.

Here's how it works:

You: Bring in a paper copy of a finished draft of your assignment, along with your professor's instructions for the assignment.

We: Carefully edit your writing with you, explaining where and why changes should be made, and giving you extra information or practice in areas you're having trouble with. Our focus is the clarity, accuracy and correctness of language – you are responsible for your content.

  • Yes, we will help you with assignments outside of the J-School.
  • Yes, we will help you proofread your resume or cover letter.
  • Yes, we will help you get better at punctuation, grammar, usage, structure and clarity.
  • No, we will not write your assignment for you. You must be finished with a draft before you come to the Center.
  • No, we will not edit things for you that you drop off or email. You must come to the Center and work with us in person if you want help.

To make an appointment, call 785-864-7623, email center coordinator Lisa McLendon at lisamclendon@ku.edu or book an appointment online.

Students look on as John Bremner talks to a student in a classroom
John Bremner in class

Who was John Bremner?

A native of Australia, John Bremner came to KU in 1969 and taught copy editing until 1985. During his tenure at KU, he won the HOPE teaching award and was named the national Outstanding Journalism Educator.

Bremner wrote two books, “Words on Words” and “HTK.” He was also involved with the Gannett Foundation in creating the ”John Bremner: Guardian of the Newsroom” video, which is still used to teach editing in the newsroom.

“This was the guy who, at the last part of his career, was invited to go to the New York Times to help the New York Times’ editors to become better editors,” said Professor Emeritus Tim Bengtson.

“What we are trying to do is make the school live up to what John Bremner wanted it to be,” he said.

Bengtson said that often students don’t realize the need to rewrite and strive for more. The Bremner Center helps students learn to polish their writing to the professional standards of the J-School.

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