Course Title: Develop writing and editing skills

Part A: Course Overview

Program: C4197

Course Title: Develop writing and editing skills

Portfolio: DSC

Nominal Hours: 120.0

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.

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COMM5397	City Campus	TAFE	345T Media and Communication	Face-to-Face	Term1 2011

Course Contact: Program Administration - Adam Lovell

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 4976

Course Contact Email: adam.lovell@rmit.edu.au

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.

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

There are no pre-requisites or co-requisites for this unit

National Competency Codes and Titles

National Element Code & Title:	VBP551 Develop writing and editing skills
Elements:	1. Ensure the clarity of language
	2. Apply the appropriate voice and tone
	3. Apply the accepted conventions of grammar and usage to a range of written contexts
	4. Use correct spelling and punctuation

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

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.