Course Title: Refine editing skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: COMM7307

Course Title: Refine editing skills

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5314 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact: Penny Johnson

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925-4815

Course Contact Email: svdsc.mac@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Course teacher:
Melissa Cranenburgh
melissa.cranenburgh@rmit.edu.au

Course coordinator:

Stephanie Holt

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    Publishers and developers of works for children are identified

1.2    Market demographics are analysed

1.3    Current delivery platforms for children’s writing are identified

1.4    A range of works written for children is examined

1.5    Relevant approaches by other writers are researched

Element:

2. Liaise closely with the author and/or client to make all significant substantive editing decisions.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Appraisal of text is discussed with author and/or client to establish broad editing approach 

2.2    Actions necessary to achieve a complete and coherent text are established in outline

2.3    Questions of balance are addressed where necessary and any legal issues identified.

2.4    Broad action plan and the roles of the writer and editor are clarified.

Element:

3. Undertake substantive editing of a text

Performance Criteria:

3.1    Text is restructured and reworded where necessary and material added or deleted

3.2    Paragraphing, emphasis and lists are added if necessary to help readers scan the text.

2.3    Headings and other labelling devices are added where necessary with attention to relevance, logical grading, consistency and appropriateness

3.4    Supplementary material is added where required

Element:

4. Undertake editing of the style of the text

Performance Criteria:

4.1    Language is edited for consistency, appropriateness and clarity

4.2    Reading level, terminology and formality of language are edited to render them appropriate to publication and readership

4.3    Punctuation and grammar are checked for consistency and adherence to determined protocols

4.4       Conventions for quoting material are maintained throughout

Element:

5. Edit for completeness and consistency

Performance Criteria:

5.1    Parts of the text are edited for consistency and internal integrity

5.2    Cross-references and links are checked for accuracy and completeness

5.3    Screen-based publications are tested for performance and usability

5.4    Format and layout are checked against any design specifications and checked for consistency


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

Online modules contain weekly instructional material, including quizzes, videos, readings and suggested activities relevant to current focus week to week. Regular intensive classes throughout the semester provide further support, discussion and class-based learning activities. A structured folio of editing tasks allows students to develop and apply their skills and receive detailed feedback. A weekly scheduled drop-in session provides additional support.


Teaching Schedule

While all course content in this schedule will be covered, the weekly order may change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

Week

Teaching and learning focus

Assessment due 

1

 
Grammar and punctuation terminology

What does an editor do?

ASSESSMENT 1: Task 1 Steps and Practices

Week 2


Sentence structure

What is ‘correct’ English?

 

Saturday Class 1

Week 2

 

 

Essential group discussion and revision

Introduction to Assessment 2



 

 

Week 3

Advanced sentence structure

What is ‘editorial style’?

ASSESSMENT 2: Task 1 Original Text with preamble

Week 4


Choosing the right word


Editing briefs 

 

Week 5


Complex sentence punctuation and styles

The author–editor relationship

ASSESSMENT 2: Task 2 Planning

Saturday Class 2
Week 5

Essential group discussion and revision
Assessment 2: group planning session

 

6


Stronger paragraph and sentences

Author queries

Effective feedback

 

7


Structure and substance

Legal issues in publishing

ASSESSMENT 3: Structure and Development

8

Editing for your reader

Facts, permissions, social media

ASSESSMENT 2: Task 3 Feedback

ASSESSMENT 1: Task 2 Legal Issues

Saturday Class 3
Week 8

Essential group discussion and revision
Assessment 3 final workshopping 

 

Week 9

Copyediting sentences

Assessing house style and voice

ASSESSMENT 2: Task 4 Revision

10


Advanced copyediting

Knowing your editing limits

 

11

Expanding your copyediting repertoire 

Tips and tricks of the trade 

ASSESSMENT 1: Task 3 Styles

12


Accessibility and sensitivity

Acknowledging sources and research

ASSESSMENT 1: Task 4 Citation

Saturday Class 4
Week 12

Essential group discussion and revision

Copyediting and proofreading markup workshop

 

13

Focus on proofreading

Texts, socials, and screen

ASSESSMENT 2: Task 5 Copyediting

14


Practice tasks and revision

 

 

15

Practice tasks and revision

 

Saturday Class 5
Week 15


Where to from here?

ASSESSMENT 4: Copyediting and Proofreading Task (IN CLASS)

16

Revision and resubmission if required

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None


References

Concise Macquarie Dictionary (5th edition or later), or the Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary (5th edition or later)

Style manual for authors, editors and printers (6th edn), Snooks & Co, John Wiley & Sons, 2002.


Other Resources

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

The Learning Lab
 
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub

English for uni workshops
 
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops


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

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.

To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and assessment rubrics. You will receive feedback on all assessment tasks.

Assessment 1: Knowledge assessment

You will complete a series of 4 knowledge assessments:

  1. Steps and practice (due 16 Feb)
  2. Legal issues (due 5 April)
  3. Styles (due 3 May)
  4. Citations (due 10 May) 

Assessment 2: Publication project

In a small group you will plan, write, and copyedit a small publication. The project has the following scheduled milestones:

  1. 100-word preamble and 600-800 word original text to provided brief (due 1 March)
  2. Publishing plan (due 15 March)
  3. Feedback posted to group discussion (due 5 April)
  4. Revision of your own text responding to feedback (due 19 April)
  5. Copyedit of assigned text (due 17 May)

Assessment 3: Structure and development (due 29 March)

Complete a structural edit of a 3000-word text.

Assessment 4: Copyediting and Proofreading test (due 30 May)

A test of copyediting and proofreading skills of varied kinds, accompanied by final revision and checking questions.


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

Attendance

Your learning experience will mostly involve online learning, which requires you to work systematically through prepared modules and activities. You will also have class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises.

It is strongly advised that you allocate at least 4 hours per week to work through the course modules and that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. 

Information about your studies

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

Assessment

Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment

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.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.  

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview