Professional Editing
Overview
1. Editing Fundamentals
Working with documents on screen and on paper, students will
- learn how copy editing, proofreading, and stylistic editing differ from each other and from other types of editing
- edit documents for spelling, grammar, readability, clarity, and appropriateness
- check material for general accuracy and consistency of content
- perform structural and stylistic edits of material, retaining the substance, voice, and intent of the original
- edit material for bias, stereotyping, libelous statements, and sensitivities of the reader
- learn how to use a selected conventional style (for example, Canadian Press style)
- use standard copy-editing symbols and electronic markup (for example, track changes)
- become familiar with basic editing tools, including style sheets
- become familiar with basic legal issues involved in editing, including copyright and permissions
- develop the skills required to present editorial feedback in an effective, professional way
- examine the relationship between the writer and the editor in the creation of documents
2. Editing for Standards of Grammar and Usage
Students will
- become more familiar with Canadian English standards of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage
- compare English, American, and Canadian language conventions
- examine different style manuals, usage manuals, and other reference books
- research and present grammatical concepts in easy-to-understand language
- become aware of language that leads to bias and stereotyping
3. Editing and Production
Students will
- look at the role of copy editing and proofreading in the publishing of print and electronic documents
- use standard proofreading symbols, tool, and techniques to indicate changes to be made in print and electronic documents
The course will use a combination of lecture, discussion, individual work, and group work, with an emphasis on hands-on editing of documents.
Students are expected to be self-motivated and to demonstrate professionalism, which includes active participation, good attendance, punctuality, effective collaboration, ability to meet deadlines, presentation skills, and accurate self-evaluation.
Evaluation is in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy and will be based on this general format:
| Short editing assignments | 20% |
| Two major editing assignments | 40% |
| Presentations | 10% |
| Final exam | 20% |
| Professionalism/participation (as defined above) | 10% |
| 100% |
Students who successfully complete this course will
- edit documents for readability, style, substance, and grammatical accuracy
- learn and use standard copy-editing and proofreading symbols
- practise techniques for copy editing, proofreading, and structural and stylistic editing (on paper and on screen)
- practise communicating editing decisions in an effective, professional way
- develop an understanding of the editor’s role in the scheduling and production of print and electronic documents
Texts will include
- current editions of editing resources such as the Canadian Press Stylebook and Caps and Spelling
- coursepack of required readings
Requisites
Prerequisites
Acceptance into the Post-Degree Diploma in Professional Communication
OR
A minimum of 45 credit hours including a university-transfer course in English, Communications, or Creative Writing with a grade of B or higher
OR
Permission of the Professional Communication program coordinator
Corequisites
None
Equivalencies
Course Guidelines
Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Course Transfers
These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca
| Institution | Transfer details for CMNS 3200 |
|---|---|
| Simon Fraser University (SFU) | No credit |
| Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU CMNS 3XXX (3) or TRU JOUR 3XXX (3) |
| University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) | No credit |
Course Offerings
Winter 2025
| CRN | Days | Instructor | Status | More details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CRN
16434
|
Fri | Instructor last name
Nicholson
Instructor first name
Maureen
|
Course status
Open
|
CMNS 3200 001 is prioritized for Post-Degree Diploma Professional Communication students. Students may request permission by contacting Maureen Nicholson at nicholsonm@douglascollege.ca. with student number, program, and registration date.