Course Title: Refine editing skills
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2014
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
Stephanie Holt
9925-8089
stephanie.holt@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
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 adn the publication are clarified |
Element: |
2. Liaise closely with the author and/or client to make all significant substantive editing decisions. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Appraisal of the text is discussed with author and/or client to establish broad editing approach |
Element: |
3. Undertake substantive editing of a text |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Text is restructured and reworded where necessary and material added or deleted |
Element: |
4. Undertake editing of the style of the text |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Language is edited for consistency, appropriateness and clarity |
Element: |
5. Edit for completeness and consistency |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Parts of the text are edited for consistency and itnernal integrity |
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
This course is offered as blended learning.
Online instructional modules are used to deliver core content in four of five units: Style and Consistency; Publishing and Publications; Structure and Substance; Grammar and Punctuation. These self-paced modules include videos, activities, and exercises. The unit Techniques and Technologies will be a self-directed unit supported by resources provided through the Blackboard LMS. A companion booklet is supplied with each module.
The instructional modules are supported and extended with online discussion forums, quizzes and readings through the Blackboard LMS.
Students will also work collaboratively, within the class and - where relevant - with workplace colleagues, in preparing folios and projects.
A number of face-to-face workshops and computer lab sessions are used to ensure students are using editing techniques and technologies correctly, and to allow further discussion, group work, and assessment support. Informal study groups are also encouraged.
Individual or online meetings with the teacher may be requested, if needed.
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Learning focus | Assessments | Elements/Criteria |
| 0 | Introduction to course and online resources | ||
| 1 | INTRO TO COURSE Copyediting mark-up |
Assignment #1 (style) distributed | 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 |
| 2 | STYLE & CONSISTENCY |
1.1 |
|
| 3 | STYLE & CONSISTENCY |
4.1, 4.2, 4.3 | |
| 4 | STYLE & CONSISTENCY |
4.3, 4.4 | |
| 5 |
Review of Style & Consistent Collaborating online Introduction to Publishing and Production unit |
Assignment #1 (style) due Assignment #2 (folio) distributed Assignment #3 (project) distributed |
1.1 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
|
| 6 | PUBLISHING & PUBLICATIONS |
|
|
| 7 | PUBLISHING & PUBLICATIONS - Managing a publishing project - discussion: keeping everyone on the same page |
2.1, 2.2, 2.4 | |
| 8 | PUBLISHING & PUBLICATIONS - Legal and ethical considerations - discussion: doing the right thing |
Assignment #3A (project - schedule, brief and flatplan) due |
2.3 |
| 9 |
Review of Publishing & Publications Editing online Introduction to Structure & Substance unit |
Assignment #2A (folio) due |
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 |
| 10 | STRUCTURE & SUBSTANCE - developing documents - discussion: how do we read? |
|
3.1 |
| 11 | STRUCTURE & SUBSTANCE |
3.2. 3.3, 3.4 | |
| 12 | STRUCTURE & SUBSTANCE - strengthening sentences - discussion: specialist language or weasel words? |
Assignment #2B (folio) due |
4.1, 4.2 |
| 13 |
Review of Structure & Substance Proofreading hard copy Introduction to Grammar & Punctuation |
Assignment #3B (project - progress report) due | 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 |
| 14 | GRAMMAR & PUNCTUATION - finetuning sentences - discussion: the art of communication |
|
4.1, 4.2 |
| 15 | GRAMMAR & PUNCTUATION - checking grammar - discussion: your grammar tips |
4.3, 4.4 | |
| 16 | GRAMMAR & PUNCTUATION - fixing punctuation - discussion: punctuation mark trends |
Assignment #2C (folio) due NOTE |
4.3, 4.4 |
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 resources.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.
Recommended texts:-
Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers, 6th Edition, John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd, 2002
Flann E. & Hill B., The Australian Editing Handbook, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd, 2003
You will also need access to a current Australian dictionary, either the Macquarie Dictionary or the Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary
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:
detailed specifications will be provided when appropriate
FORMATIVE
- Style assignment (individual project): a report on house style in your workplace or in a given publication or organisation, including discussion and annotated examples
Due Week 5 (Friday 8 August)
- Editing folio (individual and collaborative work): 3-8 select items (c 800 words total, per unit) showing appropriate editing of initial text, and demonstrating a range of editorial challenges relevant to your workplace
Due Weeks 13, 16 (Monday 6 September, Monday 27 October)
SUMMATIVE
- Publication project (group project): creating a small publication which demonstrates your range of editing skills
Due Weeks 8, 12, 17 (Monday 25 August, Monday 29 September, Monday 3 November)
Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment (graded).
CHD Competency with high distinction
CD Competency with distinction
CC Competency with credit
CAG Competency Achieved (Graded)
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact person (stated above) and will be available on the class Blackboard when assessment tasks commence.
Other Information
Student feedback at RMIT
Feedback - You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of refining your skills and developing your projects.
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy
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. Special consideration, appeals and discipline
Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity
Work Placement:
It is a requirement of this program that all students participate in authentic work related tasks. These may be either simulated or in a real work environment. On occasion, we are approached by industry and given opportunities for students to apply for short term placements. When these placement opportunities arise, students are required to negotiate the specific details with the relevant program coordinator or teacher. All industry placements require students, RMIT staff and host organisations to sign a written agreement prior to the commencement of the placement.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview