Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Writing and Publishing

• Unit Code

  WRT5125

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  Online

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Description

This unit helps students to develop professional skills associated with writing for publication. This involves an exploration of the procedures and principles of writing, revision, editing and proofreading and the study of advanced elements of grammar and style. Students generate ideas and undertake research, draft, edit, submit and self-publish manuscripts, and investigate aspects of the publishing industry. They practise writing for specific publications, taking account of content and genre requirements, house style, and submission guidelines. The unit also develops students' awareness of some social, cultural, legal and ethical issues relevant to writing, editing, and publishing.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Competently use a range of literary devices and strategies, and explain generic, grammatical and stylistic conventions of various texts.
2. Conduct research for writing tasks and generate texts for specific publications.
3. Critically discuss business, cultural, legal and ethical issues relevant to writers, editors and publishers, including those relevant to Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.
4. Determine ways to improve their own and other students' texts.
5. Draft, edit and self-publish a professional monograph.
6. Use style guides and other professional editing resources to support professional writing and editing practices and techniques that are consistent with global communication standards and perspectives.

Unit Content

1. Editing and proofreading various texts.
2. Editing skills, tools and professional practices.
3. Grammar, punctuation, and style exercises.
4. Manuscript analysis.
5. Research for writing projects.
6. Social, cultural, legal and ethical issues relevant to editing, writing and publishing.
7. The publishing industry and business aspects of writing (e.g. query letters and proposals, agents, contracts, marketing, promotion, e-books and self-publishing).

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-campus- lectures, seminars and workshops.Online - Blackboard (LMS) and other Internet-based technologies where appropriate. Students will require access to a computer, scanner, video/audio recording device and speakers of a standard typically used in online learning environments.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ (2003). Style manual for authors, editors and printers. (6th ed.). Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
• Carter, D., & Galligan, A. (2007). Making books: Contemporary Australian publishing. St Lucia, Australia: UQP.
• Thompson, J.B. (2012). Merchants of culture: The publishing business in the twenty-first century. (2nd ed.). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Polity Press.
• Spender, L. (2004). Between the lines: A legal guide for writers and illustrators. Strawberry Hills, Australia: Keesing Press.
• Smart, R. (Ed.). (2008). An introduction to Australian book publishing. (rev. 4th ed.). Ultimo, Australia: Australian Publishers' Association.
• Bell, J.S. (2008). Revision and self-editing. (2nd ed.). OH: F&W Publications Inc.
• Burchfield, R.W. (Ed.). (2004). New Fowler's modern English usage. (rev. 3rd ed.). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
• Tredinnick, M. (2006). The little red writing book. Sydney, Australia: NSW Press.
• Cope, B., & Phillips, A. (2006). The future of the book in the digital age. Oxford, United Kingdom: Chandos Publishing.
• Einsohn, A. (2006). The copy editor's handbook: A guidebook for book publishing and corporate communications. (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
• MacKenzie, J. (2004). The editor's companion. Melbourne, Australia: Cambridge University Press.

Website References

• http://www.dailygrammar.com/
• http://www.www.englishclub.com/grammar/index.htm
• http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
• http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/grammar/index.xml

^ Mandatory reference

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