| CODE | ENG3042 | ||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Proofreading and Copyediting | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | English | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Introduction to Proofreading and Copyediting introduces students to copyediting and proofreading. It highlights the skills needed to be a professional in this industry and provides students with the opportunity to practise their skills. In the early part of the unit students will be introduced to the different roles and competencies of proofreaders, copyeditors, editors, and publishers. They will learn about the remit of each role and how this translates to practical situations. The unit then moves to distinguishing between different kinds and levels of intervention on documents. The difference between baseline copyediting and heavy editing will be explored, together with the art of compiling a style sheet and a list of queries. In the final part of the unit, the focus shifts to those areas of grammar, style, punctuation, and referencing that are key to effective proofreading and copyediting. Although students are expected to have strong English language skills, practitioners need an even more refined awareness of language accuracy and of English language usage. The tailor-made focus on language addresses this issue. Students will have the opportunity to practise frequently both during the lecture and in order to fulfil the assessment requirements of the unit. Study-unit Aims: i. To introduce students to proofreading; ii. To introduce students to copyediting; iii. To introduce students to editing; iv. To provide students with transferable skills that can be useful both in their academic life and in a work environment. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: i. Proofread a document in English; ii. Do baseline copyediting in English; iii. Distinguish the different roles of editor, publisher, copyeditor, and proofreader; iv. Use a style manual; v. Compile a style sheet; vi. Compile a list of queries and suggestions relating to copyediting documents; vii. Understand the principles of consistency and economy in copyediting. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: i. Proofread documents in English; ii. Carry out baseline copyediting; iii. Apply style-sheet rules to a variety of documents; iv. Give suggestions and query in tactful and effective ways. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: i. Einsohn, Amy, The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Publishing and Corporate Communications 3rd edn (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011) ii. Pagel, Larry G. and Barbara Norstrom, Proofreading & Editing Precision 6th edn (Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2011) |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Mario Aquilina |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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