This course introduces students to the principles and techniques of editing and document design for workplace texts, then asks students to apply those principles using those techniques.
The course covers copyediting and proofreading, comprehensive editing, document design and readability.
What students practice in the course:
- Using proofreading and copyediting symbols appropriately
- Editing text (sentence level, section level, whole document) for grammatical correctness, consistency and readability
- Using style manuals
- Making editorial recommendations based on rhetorical principles of audience and purpose
- Identifying and using elements of good document design, including proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast and typography.
In-class activities are designed to put into practice immediately the material introduced in the readings. Major assignments ask students to synthesize the skills practiced in class.
In addition, because being a good editor also requires the ability to work well with authors and publishers and to be the reader’s advocate, students collaborate on an in-class design project.