Course Title: Refine editing skills
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2019
Course Code: COMM7307
Course Title: Refine editing skills
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5314 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact: Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925-4815
Course Contact Email: mctafe@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Course teacher:
Melissa Cranenburgh
melissa.cranenburgh@rmit.edu.au
Course coordinator:
Stephanie Holt
Nominal Hours: 120
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This course covers the knowledge and skills required to apply advanced editing skills to a range of texts in different media.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VU20278 Refine editing skills |
Element: |
1. Appraise the suitability of written material for a specific purpose or readership |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Broad characteristics of the readership and the publication are clarified 1.2 Length, structure and focus are evaluated against the requirements of the intended readership and the publication 1.3 Quality of writing is assessed in terms of basic editing required 1.4 Promotional aspects of the publication are identified
|
Element: |
2. Liaise closely with the author and/or client to make all significant substantive editing decisions. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Appraisal of text is discussed with author and/or client to establish broad editing approach 2.2 Actions necessary to achieve a complete and coherent text are established in outline 2.3 Questions of balance are addressed where necessary and any legal issues identified. 2.4 Broad action plan and the roles of the writer and editor are clarified. |
Element: |
3. Undertake substantive editing of a text |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Text is restructured and reworded where necessary and material added or deleted 3.2 Paragraphing, emphasis and lists are added if necessary to help readers scan the text. 2.3 Headings and other labelling devices are added where necessary with attention to relevance, logical grading, consistency and appropriateness 3.4 Supplementary material is added where required |
Element: |
4. Undertake editing of the style of the text |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Language is edited for consistency, appropriateness and clarity 4.2 Reading level, terminology and formality of language are edited to render them appropriate to publication and readership 4.3 Punctuation and grammar are checked for consistency and adherence to determined protocols 4.4 Conventions for quoting material are maintained throughout |
Element: |
5. Edit for completeness and consistency |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Parts of the text are edited for consistency and internal integrity 5.2 Cross-references and links are checked for accuracy and completeness 5.3 Screen-based publications are tested for performance and usability 5.4 Format and layout are checked against any design specifications and checked for consistency |
Learning Outcomes
You will be able to work independently and collaboratively to edit different kinds of text at a professional level and across a range of media.
Details of Learning Activities
Online modules contain weekly instructional material, including quizzes, videos, readings and suggested activities relevant to current focus week to week. Regular intensive classes throughout the semester provide further support, discussion and class-based learning activities. A structured folio of editing tasks allows students to develop and apply their skills and receive detailed feedback. A weekly scheduled drop-in session provides additional support.
Teaching Schedule
Week |
Teaching and learning focus |
Assessment due |
1 |
English language convention: Editing process and practice: |
|
Orientation class |
Navigating the weekly online instruction, work requirements and course pages |
|
Week 2 |
English language convention: Editing process and practice: |
Week 2 online test |
Saturday class 1 |
English Language Conventions: Editing Process and Practice: |
|
Week 3 |
English language conventions: Editing process and practice: |
Week 3 online test |
Week 4 |
English language conventions: Editing process and practice: |
Week 4 online test |
Week 5 |
English language conventions: Editing process and practice: |
Week 5 online test |
Saturday Class 2 |
Manuscript assessment - substantive edits |
|
6 |
Structure and substance: Editing process and practice: |
Week 6 online test Editing folio: 2a.2 publication and audience summary sheet Upload to Canvas C/NYC |
7 |
Structure and substance: Editing process and practice: |
Week 7 online test |
8 |
Structure and substance Editing process and practice |
Week 8 online test Editing folio: 2b.1 Substantive edit (tracked word doc.) 2b.2 Editorial report Upload to canvas |
Week 9 |
Copyediting and proofreading: Editing process and practice: |
Week 9 online test |
Saturday Class 3 |
Copyediting and proofreading: Editing Process and Practice: |
|
10 |
Copyediting and proofreading: Editing process and practice: |
Week 10 online test Editing folio: 2c.2 Email to author Email both to author and upload to Canvas Complete/Incomplete |
11 |
Copyediting and proofreading: Editing process and practice: |
Week 11 online test Completion of online test series: Graded 20% |
12 |
Copyediting and proofreading: Editing process and practice: |
Editing folio: 2d.1 Copyedit of revised author text (tracked word doc.) 2d.2 Draft stylesheet (Word doc) Upload to canvas |
13 |
Copyediting and proofreading: Editing process and practice: |
|
Saturday Class 4 |
Copyediting and proofreading: Editing Process and Practice: |
|
14 |
Copyediting and proofreading: Editing process and practice: |
Editing folio: 2e.2 Final stylesheet (Word doc) Upload both to Canvas |
15 |
Revision and folio completion |
Editing folio: |
Saturday Class 5 |
Proofreading test |
Week 15 proofreading test |
16 |
Revision and resubmission if required |
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include:
- participation in written exercises, in class and online
- the application of learned skills and insights to the editing of writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment 1: Weekly Tests
A series of 10 online tests, due in weeks 2-11 (Monday following)
Due: midnight on 22 July, 29 July, 5 August, 12 August, 19 August, 26 August, 2 September, 16 September, 23 September, 30 September.
Weighting for grading 20%
Assessment 2: Editing Folio
A series of writing, analysis, editing and copyediting tasks in which you will act as writer, substantive editor and copyeditor in sequence. On completion, you will write a reflective report.
Folio completion due: 3 November
Weighting for grading: 60%
Assessment 3: Proofreading test
A test of proofreading skills of varied kinds, accompanied by final revision and checking questions.
Test: October 26
Weighting for grading: 20%
Assessment Matrix
Assessment matrix is available on request.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview