Editing and Developing the Manuscript (KWB304)
Semester 1 / 2009

Texts

Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers!$!John Wiley!$! !$!Milton!$!2002

Description

Rationale

This unit develops your understanding of the editing process - in particular, the developmental intervention required to bring a creative manuscript to a publishable standard. These skills are crucial to those of you intending to work in the publishing industry, and of great benefit to professional creative writers. You will receive the opportunity to learn to edit the work of others with insight, understanding and technical skill.

Aims

This unit aims to provide you with advanced skills in and a theoretical understanding of the manuscript development and editing processes which are vital for both your own craft and if you are to work in the publishing industry.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. analyse critically other students' work,

2. edit a piece of short fiction or creative nonfiction by another student,

3. understand the relationship between the author and the editor,

4. collaborate with others in writing and editing environment, and

5. utilise the basic lexicon of manuscript assessment, editing, and proofreading.

Content

This unit addresses content such as the language and stages of editing: production of text, reviewing the text, structural editing, copy-editing and proofreading.

Assessment

Assessment name: Peer critique & editing exc

Description: (summative and formative) A multi-phase assessment based on two (2) requirements:

i. extended piece of literary criticism (30%), and

ii. assessment and editing of piece of creative writing and consultation with author (30%).

Relates to objectives: 1 - 5

Weight: 60%

Due date: progressive

Assessment name: In class editing tasks

Description: (summative) A multiphase assessment based on two (2) requirements:

i. copy-edit a nominated piece of short fiction (20%); and

ii. proof-read a nominated piece of writing (20%).

Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 5

Weight: 40%

Due date: late semester

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