EDIT508
Stylistic Editing
Stylistic editing transforms murky, muddled writing into clear, coherent prose. In this course, you will learn how to clarify the meaning, improve the flow, and smooth the language of the most turgid text.
Topics include the following:
- Improving word choice
- Improving sentence construction
- Rewriting sentences, paragraphs, and passages to clarify meaning
- Ensuring that each paragraph has a clear and coherent focus
- Using the appropriate language, tone, style, and authorial voice for the audience
- Eliminating wordiness
You will have the opportunity to work with excerpts from nonfiction books, magazine articles, and other print materials.
This course is available at the following time(s) and location(s):
| Section | Session(s) | Date/time* | Campus | Instructor(s) | Cost** | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDIT508-VA11341 | 4 | Monday–Thursday Aug 26–29, 2013 2:30–4:30 pm |
Van | Nancy Flight | $295 | Register |
* This course involves 8 instructional hours.
** Members of the Editors' Association of Canada are eligible for a 10 percent discount. Please contact us to confirm your membership and register. You may not combine discounts.
What will I learn?
By the end of the course, you will be able to do the following:
- Describe what makes prose unclear and how to make it clear.
- Demonstrate what makes a paragraph or passage incoherent and how to make it coherent.
- Differentiate between stylistic editing and copyediting.
- Differentiate between stylistic editing and structural editing.
- Identify and correct common stylistic problems such as general or abstract writing, jargon, clichés, noun strings, inappropriate language level for the audience, and wordiness.
- Recognize when graphic elements must be edited to clearly and effectively convey the intended meaning.
- Edit manuscripts for clarity, flow, and language.
- Query writers tactfully, understanding when to allow their writing style to override some editorial conventions.
- Edit manuscripts for the intended audience.
How will I learn?
- Lectures
- Class discussions
- Group assignments
- In-class exercises
- Independent take-home assignments
- Extra reading
How will I be evaluated?
Your grade will be based on the following:
- Self and peer evaluation exercises
- Four assignments
- In-class participation
Textbooks and learning materials
We will provide custom course materials.