Copyediting III

Are you ready for your first major editing assignments? In this course, you will carry out heavy edits on all elements of a manuscript and a digital assignment.

You will also work on a deadline and communicate directly with fictious authors of both pieces through queries and a cover letter.

This is the final course in the four-part-class series.

Upon completion, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to copyedit a variety of materials for structural issues, unclear language, factual errors, and plagiarism in addition to spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

You will also learn how to collaborate with the author regarding significant edits while advocating for the reader.

Although this class builds on the material taught in the prerequisite classes, it is a significant step up from Copyediting II.

You will use everything you've learning throughout the program to copyedit the manuscript and the digital assignment to industry standards.

What You Will Learn: Perform a heavy copyedit of two pieces: a fictious chapter of a nonfiction book and a fictitious digital article Edit for mechanical editing as well as language and content editing, depending on the client’s audiences, goals for publication, and manuscript content Communicate effectively with a variety of clients through queries within the manuscripts and via a cover letter Examine complex topical issues related to editing in English Review topics introduced in earlier copyediting courses Explore documentation, permissions, front and back matter, tables, and illustrations Learn about editing different genres Use print and online references to resolve editorial problems Recognize and identify common legal considerations in the fields of editing and publishing Review AI prompting techniques for copyeditors and the use of AI for editorial and administrative workflows About the Manuscripts: The main manuscript is a 14-page nonfiction fictitious chapter that focuses on current topics in copyediting and language.

These include the history, geographical, and professional contexts of the singular they; nonbinary pronouns; and evolving language.

It is broken up into three parts.

There is one edit for each section and a final edit of the entire manuscript toward the end of the course.

The second manuscript is a digital article about the history, usage, and importance of Black English in the United States.

It is three pages long and requires one edit of the many issues that arise in the context of digital publications, including checking embedded hyperlinks for accuracy and plagiarism.

Each assignment takes at least 3-5 hours to complete.

Required Textbooks: Garner’s Modern English Usage, 5th Edition by Bryan Garner ISBN: 9780197599020 Note: Students may use digital book, but syllabus will only list page numbers for printed book.

The Copyeditor's Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications , 4th Edition by Amy Einsohn and Marilyn Schwartz ISBN: 9780520286726 Online subscription to The Chicago Manual of Style , 18th Edition Free online Merriam-Webster Dictionary Quarters Offered : Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall | 10 weeks | Online Prerequisite: Copyediting II (WCWP-40237).You may enroll in a future section of Copyediting III while currently taking Copyediting II.

Passing grades of prerequisites will be verified before the quarter begins.

Requirements: Microsoft Word 2016/Office 365 (PC or Mac) or higher required.

Access to a printer and scanner or scanning app required.

Note : Allow yourself a minimum of 9 hours per week to work on assignments.