English 405: Advanced Professional Writing and Editing                                  quick link to schedule 
Instructor: Bryan Fry
Office: Avery 371
Office Hours: MWF 10:00-11:00 a.m.



Course Description:

This course is designed for students who want to gain strategies for editing in a wide variety of situations. You will learn how to set editorial priorities based on real-life scenarios as well as how to establish a standardized procedure for editing documents for language, structure, and visual elements. Perhaps most importantly you will learn there is no one-size-fits-all rule in editing, that every situation calls for a comprehension of a built-in styletypically referred to as a house stylethat represents choices often made by a publisher, an organization, a corporation long before you arrived on the scene. You will learn there are both large and subtle differences between various house-styles, but our goal will always remain the same: to end up with an error-free publication.

In addition to learning the principals of editing, you will complete a 50-hour practicum either on- or off-campus working with writing and editing professionals and/or clients. The practicum length is calculated on approximately four hours per week for twelve weeks. In addition to the actual work required for your practicum, you will prepare and submit a midterm progress memo, a completion memo, and a final presentation.

       
   
Required Material:
    • Amy Einsohn, The Copyeditor's Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications, Third Edition
    • Three Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner Pens (Blue, Orange, and Pink)


Major Requirement:

Worksheets (25%):
On most class days you will be required to hand in a worksheet that corresponds with class readings. These worksheets are due at the beginning of each class period, unless otherwise specified. You need to attend class to receive credit for worksheet assignments.

In-class Activities and Quizzes (25%): Occasionally, I will provide quizzes or mini-collaborative lessons based on scheduled readings. You need to attend class to receive credit for quizzes and in-class activities. Please make sure to come to each class prepared (with your textbook and required writing pens in hand) or you may not be able to participate.

Progress Memo (7%):
During the middle of the semester, you will email a progress memo detailing your practicum information. This memo is due by a specific day and time (see schedule).

Group Presentation (10%): Groups will take on the role of an editorial team and use PowerPoint to present editorial feedback to one of their clients, Crimson and Gray Marketing.

Completion Memo (8%): At the end of the semester, you will email a completion memo detailing the final results of your practicum information. This memo is due by a specific day and time (see schedule).

Final Presentation (25%):
At the end of the semester, you will use PowerPoint to present a summary of your practicum and your practicum accomplishments to the class.
 

Additional Course Information:
     

Regular Attendance:
Because of the amount of group collaboration, attendance for this class is crucial. Students are allowed two unexcused absences without penalty. This includes absences due to illness, death, and imprisonment. The only unexcused absence is a school-related absence, which means you have to be on the volleyball team or something. After two unexcused absences, I will deduct 10% of the final grade. After six absences, students will receive an F in the course. Every three tardies equals an absence. It is your responsibility to let me know when you are late. Otherwise, you will be marked absent.


Reasonable Accommodations:
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If students have a disability and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, they can visit or call the Access Center (Washington Building 217; 509-335-3417) to schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor. All accommodations must be approved through the Access Center.


WSU Safety
: Classroom and campus safety are of paramount importance at Washington State University, and are the shared responsibility of the entire campus. WSU urges students to follow the "Alert, Assess, Act" protocol for all types of emergencies and the "Run, Hide, Fight" response for an active shooter incident. Remain ALERT (through direct observation or emergency notification), Assess your specific situation, and ACT in the most appropriate way to assure your own safety (and the safety of other if you are able).


See Schedule