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 style—typically referred to as a house style—that 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
|