Course Title: The Art of Writing and Editing

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: The Art of Writing and Editing

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM2718

City Campus

Postgraduate

345H Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: Angela Meyer

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2422

Course Coordinator Email: angela.meyer2@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bowen Street Press Office (009.02.10A)

Course Coordinator Availability: Please contact via email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

Writers and Editors in contemporary publishing practice need a diverse and nuanced skill set across a range of genres and delivery modes, encompassing print and digital. From fiction to non-fiction, from creative to corporate, this course focuses on the structural components of different text according to their intended readership. Through an integrated suite of intensives by leading industry practitioners, you will learn the attributes and key characteristics of a broad range of texts, including narrative (fiction and non-fiction), scholarly and professional. You will also explore the relationship between writer and editor, with special consideration to effective communication and professional and ethical practice.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes:

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

· Employ appropriate technical skills and theoretical knowledge to solve problems associated with the writing and publishing industries.

· Effectively and professionally communicate your ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

· Work collaboratively to plan and produce communication projects appropriate to the writing and publishing environment.

· Critically reflect on your own work to demonstrate autonomy, good judgement and ethical responsibility.


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Evaluate and critique the key attributes of specialist texts from both a writing and editing perspective.
  2. Apply knowledge, principles and skills in the preparation of texts for different audiences/readerships.
  3. Compare and contrast stakeholder interests and the relationship between the writer and editor.
  4. Generate written feedback to improve written communication to key stakeholders.
  5. Critically reflect on your own practice and describe ethical behaviour in this context. 


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in learning that involves a range of activities such as studios, project work, lectures, tutorials, class discussion, individual and group activities.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.

The University Library has extensive resources for Writing and Publishing students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies http://rmit.libguides.com/cat.php?cid=29911.

The Library provides guides on academic referencing: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment Tasks

Task 1. Pitch Individual Writing Project: (20%) [Individual; Linked CLOs 2 & 3]

Task 2. Draft Writing Folio Project: (30%) [Individual; Linked CLOs 1 & 2]

Task 3. Peer Editing Feedback (10%) [Individual; Linked CLOs 1, 3 & 4] 

Task 4. Final Writing Project: (40%) [Individual; Linked CLOs 2, 3 & 5]

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.