Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Editing
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2012
Course Code: COMM5407
Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Editing
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5181 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact : Professional Writing and Editing Administration
Course Contact Phone: 9925 4368
Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Coordinating Teacher: Penny Johnson
Phone: 9925 4383
Email: penny.johnson@rmit.edu.au
Coordinating Teacher: Liz Steele
Phone: 9925 4842
Email: elizabeth.steele@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 85
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
Enrolment into this course at RMIT requires the completion of Develop Writing and Editing Skills.
Refine Writing and Editing Techniques – Editing is taught in conjunction with the following 6 competencies:
CUVCOR04A Originate concept for own work and conduct critical discourse
CUVCOR13A Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform artistic practice
CUECOR01B Manage own work and learning
CUSADM03A Manage a project
CUVDES05A Interpret and respond to a brief
CUSRAD02A Conduct research
Through the development of these competencies, you gain the skills needed to manage your work and learning while responding to a range of project briefs. You research the work of other writers and publishers and apply your findings to our own project through the development of a concept into a written work and /or a publishing project.
Course Description
This unit course covers the knowledge and skills required to research and experiment with writing, editing and publishing techniques and media to generate published writings. It focuses on the diverse roles of a contemporary editor; their involvement with author, reader, publisher/client, market, industry and publishing team; and the requirements of a range of publications, including newsletters, brochures, books, magazines and e-zines. It builds on knowledge and skills learned in Editing 1, working with longer, more complex and more varied material in order to develop versatility, judgement and confidence to tackle a wide range of editorial tasks. It also focuses on the crucial skills of teamwork and project management in bringing publications to fruition, and editorial involvement and interaction from the earliest stages of acquisition, commissioning and development, to the final stages of production, distribution and sales.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Editing |
Element: |
1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 The potential for new approaches to writing based on the capabilities of techniques already used are evaluated |
Element: |
2. Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 A conceptual vision for writings are developed based on a knowledge and understanding of different writing techniques |
Element: |
3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 The specific resource requirements which arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches are assessed |
Element: |
4. Plan the writing |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work and to meet agreed timelines |
Element: |
5. Realise writings |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Writings are realised using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to undertake diverse editorial roles for a variety of publications.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course you learn through
in-class activities:
• lectures
• guest lecturers
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group, class and student-led discussion
• independent project based work
• team project based work
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• workshopping of students’ own projects
• analysis/critique of writings of students’ choice
out-of-class activities:
• research
• web-based discussion and presentation on Blackboard
• independent project work
• ongoing team project work
• ongoing individual assignment work
Teaching Schedule
| WEEK STARTING |
CLASS CONTENT |
ASSESSMENT DUE | COMPETENCIES & ELEMENTS |
| Semester 1 | |||
| Week 1 |
Introduction to course and class |
VBP553 2 |
|
| Week 2 |
Understanding genre |
VBP553 2 |
|
| Week 3 |
Basic editorial project management: roles/stages/procedures |
VBP553 1, 3, 4 |
|
| Week 4 |
Genre and the editor’s role – managing reader, writer, publisher expectations |
VBP553 1, 3, 4, 5 CUECOR01B 2 CUVCOR13A 1, 2 CUVDES05A 1, 2 CUSADM03A 2 CUSRAD02A 2, 3 CUVCOR04A 1-4 |
|
| Week 5 |
Book development and concept |
Genre project (individual review) |
CUVCOR13A 3 |
| Week 6 |
Genre project work: copyediting/proofing session Fiction editing: first read and fundamentals Reading/discussion: Good book or good read? Editing toolbox |
|
CUECOR01B 1, 3 |
| Week 7 |
Fiction development |
Genre project (newsletter) |
VBP553 1, 2 |
| Week 8 |
Fiction editing: pace, rhythm, point of view Fiction panel 1 Reading/discussion: Plot Editing toolbox |
(Fiction panel 1) | CUVCOR13A 2 VBP553 4 |
| Week 9 | Tools and tips for the fiction editor Fiction panel 2 Reading/discussion: Copyediting fiction Editing toolbox |
(Fiction panel 2) | VBP553 5 |
Mid-semester break |
|||
| Week 10 |
Narrative nonfiction panel 1 Nonfiction scope and structure Nonfiction editing case studies Reading/discussion: The fact in fiction, the fiction in fact. Editing toolbox |
Fiction assignment (Narrative nonfiction panel 1) |
VBP553 4 CUVCOR04A 2 |
| Week 11 |
Narrative nonfiction panel 2 Nonfiction formats and techniques Reading/discussion: Who checks the facts? Editing toolbox |
(Narrative nonfiction panel 2) | VBP553 5 |
| Week 12 |
Technical nonfiction editing Using Word for editing Reading/discussion: What makes nonfiction successful? Editing toolbox |
(Technical nonfiction panel/s) | VBP553 1, 2 |
| Week 13 |
Periodicals: structures, dynamics, audience, identity Magazine feature fundamentals Reading/discussion: Contemporary magazines and their readers Editing toolbox |
Nonfiction assignment | VBP553 2 |
| Week 14 |
Sourcing and adapting magazine copy Choosing and using visual material Reading/discussion: Magazines – all design no content? Editing toolbox |
VBP553 3, 4 |
|
| Week 15 |
Feature editing: headlines, precedes, body text Reading/discussion: Magazine publishing today Editing toolbox |
VBP553 5 | |
| Week 16 |
Feature editing: boxes Newsletter project work: group formation and brief Reading/discussion: Online periodicals Editing toolbox |
Magazine feature assignment (due 5 or 6 June) | CUECOR01B 2 VBP553 3 |
| Week 17 | Assessment Week - no classes | ||
Semester break |
|||
| Semester 2 | |||
| Week 1 |
Periodical publishing: roles and workflow Newsletters: publisher, writer, reader, community Newsletter project work: group planning session Reading/discussion: Project management and teamwork Editing toolbox |
VBP553 1, 2, 3, 4 CUSADM03A 1 |
|
| Week 2 |
Periodical publishing formats and briefs Newsletter project work: group planning session Reading/discussion: Readers, audience, community, interaction Editing toolbox |
VBP553 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
| Week 3 |
Newsletter project work: group planning session Reading/discussion: Australians as book buyers and readers Editing toolbox |
VBP553 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
| Week 4 |
Newsletter project work: group planning session Introduction to the Australian publishing industry Reading/discussion: Some leading Australian publishers Editing toolbox |
VBP553 5 |
|
| Week 5 |
Who’s who in a book publishing company Reading/discussion: Commissioning and acquisition Editing toolbox |
VBP553 5 |
|
| Week 6 |
Building a publishing list Book publishing project work: group formation Reading/discussion: Newsletter #1 responses Editing toolbox |
(Newsletter issue #1) | CUVDES05A 5 |
| Week 7 |
Book production fundamentals and formats Market research strategies for book projects Book publishing project work: group proposals and development Reading/discussion: One book many books – reversions, revisions Editing toolbox |
VBP553 1, 2 |
|
| Week 8 |
Matching book and audience Book publishing project work: workshopping proposals Newsletter issue: initial response/feedback Reading/discussion: Newsletter #2 responses Editing toolbox |
(Newsletter issue #2) | |
| Week 9 |
Book titles, covers and blurbs Book publishing project work: workshopping blurbs Bookshops and bookselling Reading/discussion: Other book publishing models Editing toolbox |
CUVCOR04A 3 |
|
| Week 10 |
Book distribution Choosing a release date Book publishing project work: planning meeting for catalogue Reading/discussion: Newsletter #3 responses Editing toolbox |
(Newsletter issue #3) | VBP553 5 |
| Week 11 |
The bookselling cycle, roles and techniques Reading/discussion: What are you selling – the author or the book? Editing toolbox |
VBP553 |
|
| Week 12 |
Book publishing schedules and pricing Book publishing project work: group progress meeting Reading/discussion: Newsletter #4 responses Editing toolbox |
(Newsletter issue #4) | VBP553 4, 5 |
Mid-semester break |
|||
| Week 13 |
Book sales conference Reading/discussion: Challenges facing the publishing industry Editing toolbox |
Book publishing project | VBP553 5 |
| Week 14 |
The cover brief |
(Newsletter issue #5) |
CUVDES05A 5 CUECOR01B 3 |
| Week 15 |
Moving into professional practice |
CUVDES05A 2.1-2.3 CUSRAD02A |
|
| Week 16 | Test |
Editing and proofreading test | VBP553 5 |
| Week 17 | Assessment Week - no classes |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Style manual for authors, editors and printers, 6th edn, John Wiley & Sons |
References
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer and to the internet.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to a number of individual written assignments as well as more complex group projects.
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.
Formal assessment is based on a number of individual assignments, more complex group projects and an end-of-year editing and proofreading test. Detailed specifications are distributed in class and via Blackboard when appropriate.
1. Genre project (15%)
Explore a specific genre in Australian book publishing through individual and group project work.
Individual book review due: 6 or 7 March
Group newsletter due: 13 or 14 March
Panel discussion: Semester 1 (on a date to be arranged with your teacher)
2. Fiction assignment (10%)
Conduct a developmental edit of a substantial extract from a fiction manuscript.
Due: 17 or 18 April
3. Nonfiction assignment (10%)
Complete a structural outline of a nonfiction publication, an editorial brief and a sample copyedit.
Due: 8 or 9 May
4. Magazine feature assignment (10%)
Prepare a magazine feature from a book extract.
Due: 5 or 6 June
5. Newsletter project (25%)
Explore periodical editing by taking on a specific role and working collaboratively to publish an issue of a newsletter.
Due date to be arranged with teacher.
6. Book publishing project (15%)
Work in a group to devise a simulated publishing company and its list, which you publicise via a catalogue in a sales conference.
Due: 8 or 9 October
7. Editing and proofreading test (15%)
Test the skills you have developed in the Editing toolbox segment of the course.
Due: 30 or 31 October
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
Grades which apply to curriculum-based courses:
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment
For further information on the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration
Other Information
Submission of Assessment Tasks
You are required to submit all assessment tasks in hard copy with a completed School of Media and Communication cover sheet. You are expected to keep a copy of all assignments submitted.
Late Submissions
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension before that due date.
Please refer to the course blackboard site for information on late submissions and on applying for an extension.
Feedback
You will receive both spoken and written feedback on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is about the honest presentation of your academic work. Presenting work that fails to acknowledge other people’s work within yours can compromise academic integrity. For further information on academic integrity and plagiarism, please refer to the following URL. http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kkc202lwe1yv
Special Consideration Policy
Please refer to the following URL for information on applying for special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1
Course Overview: Access Course Overview