DESCRIPTION

This course is an introduction to the skills and knowledge required to ensure a high degree of clarity, consistency and accuracy, as well as precise and appropriate use of language, in magazine editorial material. After magazine editors have chosen an article for publication and worked with its writer on content, structure, length, focus and tone, the copy editor adds polish -- checking grammar, punctuation, spelling, consistency of style, logic and usage -- and shepherds the article through the proofreading and production process. These "polishing" skills will be covered in this course, along with commonly used reference works, proofreader's marks, copy editing on computers and writing secondary display copy. One lesson will be devoted to fact-checking. There will be in-class exercises and take-home assignments.

While students from many backgrounds may benefit from this course, successful copy editors need an above-average command of the language they're working in, and a wide-ranging general knowledge.

COURSE OUTCOMES

1. understand the roles and responsibilities of magazine copy editors, how they interact with other staff members at a magazine and where their work fits into the magazine production process
2. identify the skills and characteristics required of good magazine copy editors
3. identify and use reference books used by magazine copy editors, including style guides and dictionaries
4. comprehend and use magazine-industry terminology, including terms concerning design, layout, typography and printing
5. comprehend and use standard proofreader's marks
6. understand the problems specific to copy editing on computers
7. proofread short magazine articles by comparing them to edited versions
8. identify and correct errors and variants of the following nature in a magazine article: style (e.g., capitalization, titles, numbers, abbreviations), spelling (the student will learn common Canadian spelling variants), punctuation, grammar and syntax, biased language, diction, tone, logic and clarity
9. proofread all elements on a magazine page, including body copy, display copy and picture placement, and check that layout is readable
10. make minor revisions to magazine copy to fit the space provided
11. write secondary display copy for a magazine article to fit the space provided

REQUIRED TEXT

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Weekly short quizzes ............................................ 20%
2. Magazine critique .................................................. 5%
3. Proofread a brief article ........................................ 10%
4. Copy edit #1: a brief manuscript .......................... 10%
5. Copy edit #2: a short galley proof ....................... 10%
6. Copy edit #3: a long galley proof.......................... 10%
7. Copy edit #4: proofing a page.............................. 10%
8. Display writing....................................................... 10%
9. Final test............................................................... 15%