PUB5001 Introduction to Editing and Publishing

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Other requirements
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

This editing and publishing course is a response to changes in the publishing industry. This course gives an overview of modern publishing. It introduces students to the roles editors play and the tools and procedures they use. Editors should have an understanding of correct grammar, syntax, language usage, punctuation, and capitalisation and communicate clearly and concisely. As editors use electronic communication for much of their work, students will practise the skills online. Students undertaking this unit are expected to have an undergraduate degree and possess basic literacy and computing skills. There is an expectation that students will be self-directed and will participate in an online discussion group.

SYNOPSIS

This course provides instruction on the tasks involved in publishing, with the emphasis on the editor's role. An analysis of the communication process via a range of print and online material will focus on audience, content, and choosing which forms of media best suit readers and their learning styles. Instruction will follow the stages in structural and copy editing. Proofreading and the tools, resources and procedures required for the various tasks will be explained. Publication design, typography, and formatting will focus on readability and effectiveness of the message including the use of illustrations and tables. Students will be guided through steps in checking layout and colour proofs. Legal and ethical concerns will include copyright and the identification requirements of a book. Students will become familiar with the use of electronic communication and online editing.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1. Identify the editor's role in the various stages of print and electronic publishing
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the communication process between key participants
3. Communicate professionally in a range of media
4. Analyse different material in terms of its suitability for different media, readers and learning styles
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the scope of structural editing and copy editing
6. Use standard proofreading marks effectively
7. Check design, typography and formatting, illustrations and tables in page proofs and mark appropriate changes
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal requirements of a range of publications
9. Demonstrate information literacy as well as effective electronic communication in directed discussion groups.

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Macquarie Dictionary, 4th edn (unabridged) OR access to the online version through https://www.macquariedictionary.com.au

Commonwealth of Australia 2002, Style manual: for authors, editors and printers, 6th edn, John Wiley & Sons Australia, Brisbane.
(Revised by Snooks & Co)

Flann, E & Hill, B 2004, The Australian editing handbook, 2nd edn, John Wiley & Sons Australia, Brisbane.

Whitbread, D 2001, The design manual, UNSW Press, Sydney.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Government style guides put out by state governments.

Students are advised to browse through relevant web sites such as the Copyright Council, the Australian Societies of Authors, and various state societies of editors.

Others as recommended in the study material.

Bly, R & Blake, G 1997, The elements of copywriting: the essential guide to creating copy that gets the results you want, MacMillan, New York.

Gross, G (ed) 1993, Editors on editing: what writers need to know about what editors do, 3rd edn, Grove Press, New York.

Hudson, N 1997, Modern Australian usage, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
(Rev Edn)

Petelin, R & Durham, M 1996, The professional writing guide: writing well and knowing why, Pitman, Melbourne.

Peters, P 1996, The Cambridge Australian English style guide, Cambridge University Press, New York.

Peters, P 2004, The Cambridge guide to English usage, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

This assessment item relates to Objectives 1, 2, 4 & 5

2.

This assessment item relates to Objectives 3, 5, 6 & 7

3.

This assessment item relates to Objectives 1, 2, 3 & 8

4.

Participation in Discussion Group will be graded in terms of argument and depth of understanding of issues. Final submission date is 13 June 2008. This assessment item relates to Objectives 3 & 9.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   This course contains a discussion forum where students' participation is formally assessed and successful participation in that discussion group is required to complete the requirements to be awarded a passing grade in the course. There are no other attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them, or required to be accessed by them, to maximise their chances of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no exam for this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. Students will require access to e-mail and internet access to USQConnect for this course.

This version produced 27 May 2008.