Fundamentals of Editing

3 units

This course fulfills one of the requirements of the Publishing track in the English major, but all students who wish to improve their skills in editing and revision are welcome. We will begin with definitions of editing in the publishing world, but move quickly to focus on the practice of editing for grammar, syntax, and mechanics. While learning the conventions for edited prose suggested by the Chicago Manual of Style, we will note how arbitrary those conventions are by looking at other systems (e.g., MLA, APA, AMA) next to Chicago's. Two exams will assess what students have learned about editorial practice, including citation of source, as well as grammar, syntax, and style. Three written projects will ask students to do their most careful work in editing, analysis, and revision. The final project, with presentation, will ask students to learn about fact checking. Active participation in discussions of this often controversial material will be expected.