Course Title: Develop writing and editing skills
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: COMM5397
Course Title: Develop writing and editing skills
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4197 - Certificate IV in Creative Industries
Course Contact : Program Administration - Adam Lovell
Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 4976
Course Contact Email:adam.lovell@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Elanor Tan
Email: elanor.tan@rmit.edu.au
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
There are no pre-requisites or co-requisites for this unit
Course Description
This course develops your writing and editing skills in a professional context. Semester 1 introduces you to the publishing process and emphasises the roles, responsibilities and relationships of authors and editors within it. The course contains a detailed study of English speaking, vocabulary, grammar and syntax, and of paragraphs. You also analyse and assess writing from a range of styles and for different audiences, with the outcome of communicating your response effectively and professionally.
Semester 2 focuses on punctuation and style issues, as well as copyediting and proofreading. You learn editing and proofreading mark-up and technique, and handle proofs with numerous design features. In the major editing project you edit a piece of writing for a simulated anthology and collaborate closely with your author.
Throughout the year you gain practical experience in the use of industry resources and publishing terminology.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBP551 Develop writing and editing skills |
Element: |
1. Ensure the clarity of language |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1The principles of clear language are applied to writings |
Element: |
2. Apply the appropriate voice and tone |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 The type of authorial voice/s appropriate to the publication are determined and applied to writings |
Element: |
3. Apply the accepted conventions of grammar and usage to a range of written contexts |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 The conventions of grammar and syntax in written English are analysed |
Element: |
4. Use correct spelling and punctuation |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Australian spelling and punctuation conventions are applied when appropriate |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to demonstrate;
• an understandings of the book publishing process and the role of the editor
• the ability to effectively apply the fundamentals of Englisg grammar, spelling and vocabulary to a range of written contexts
• familiarity with reference tools including style manuals and dictionaries
• the ability to critique short pieces of fiction and non-fiction according to principles of genre, audience, style and clarity
• research, presentation, communication and editing skills through delivery of class papers
Details of Learning Activities
In class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
o Teacher directed group activities
o Practical exercises
o Independent project based work
o Class presentations
o Group discussion
Out of class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
o Online research
o Group work
Teaching Schedule
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.
Week # | Class content | Other | Elements |
Week 1 | Orientation week Course outline Class talk: Introduction |
1-4 | |
Week 2 | Class talk: Organise time slots Language: Spelling Role of the editor and the book production process |
1-4 | |
Week 3 | Class talk: Research and presentation tips Language: Tautologies and word confusions Readership/markets |
1 | |
Week 4 | Grammar: Introduction and nouns Test analysis (fiction) |
3 | |
Week 5 | Grammar: Possession Text analysis (non-fiction) |
3 | |
Week 6 | Grammar: Test revision Effective communication |
3 | |
Week 7 | Test Editorial communication |
Editing and grammar test today | 1-3 |
Week 8 | Grammar: Subjects, objects and complements Editorial report |
3 | |
Week 9 | Grammar: Finite verbs Paragraphs |
3 | |
Week 10 | Grammar: Non-finite verbs Paragraphs |
3 | |
Week 11 | Grammar: Pronouns and agreement | Editorial report due | 3 |
Week 12 | Grammar: Adjectives, adverbs, determinesers, prepositions | 3 | |
Week 13 | Grammar: Conjunctions and clauses | 3 | |
Week 14 | Grammar: Phrases and misplaced, dangling and squinting modifiers | 3 | |
Week 15 | Guest speaker Grammar revision and practice test |
1-4 | |
Week 16 | Test Introduction to Major editing Project |
Grammar test today | 3 |
Semester Break | |
||
Week 1 | Semester Break Week 1 Style: Introduction to house style Style: Capitals |
4 | |
Week 2 | Style: Capitals, italics and titles | 4 | |
Week 3 | Punctuation: Commas, semi-colons and colons | 4 | |
Week 4 | Punctuation: Hyphens, ens and ems | Writing for Major Project due | 4 |
Week 5 | Punctuation: Quotation marks – fiction and non-fiction conventions | 4 | |
Week 6 | Punctuations: Lists, shortened forms and remaining punctuation issues Test Revision: Punctuation |
4 | |
Week 7 | Test Editing symbols and mark-up technique for text and structure |
4 | |
Week 8 | |||
Week 9 | Editing fiction Major Project: Project requirements |
1-4 | |
Week 10 | Editing non-fiction | 1-4 | |
Week 11 | Style: Numbers Major Project: Author queries |
1-4 | |
Week 12 | Major project: Revision and in-class editing | 1-4 | |
Week 13 | Major project: First author-editing meetings Proofreading: Proofreading symbols and mark-up technique |
||
Week 14 | Proofreading: Proofreading technique Major project: Second author-editor meetings |
1-4 | |
Week 15 | roofreading: Typography and page proofing terminology Major Project: Author-editor sign-off |
Major Project due | 1-4 |
Week 16 | Proofreading: Illustrations and figures Test Revision: Proofreading |
1-4 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Handouts |
References
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
Pen, paper, laptop computer.
Overview of Assessment
The ability to demonstrate competency in this unit will be able to perform the outcomes described in the elements to the required level detailed in the performance criteria. The knowledge and skill requirements described in the range statement must also be demonstrated. For example knowledge of the principles of clear language applying to writing that underpins the performance of the unit is also required to be demonstrated.
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
1 Class presentation (15%) Due TBC
2 Editing and grammar test (7.5%) Due Semester 1, week 7
3 Editorial report (15%) Due Semester1, week 11
4 Grammar and paragraphing test (20%) Due Semester 1, week 16
5 Writing for major project. Due Semester 2, week 4
6 Punctuation test (12.5%) Due Semester 2, week 7
7 Major editing project (20%) Due Semester 2, week 14
8 Proofreading test (10%) Due Semester 2, week 16/17
The details on these assessments and the grading criteria for this competency can be found on the course blackboard site.
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrated alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration
Other Information
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;
Course Overview: Access Course Overview