50301 Editing and Publishing

Handbook description

This subject is intended to introduce students to the basic principles, techniques and professional practice of editing, layout, design and production, taking into account the changing environments in which today's journalists and professional communicators work – from media outlets still handling hard copy to electronic publishing systems. The subject is particularly intended for print in all its forms, but some aspects in, for example, news selection or achieving deadlines also apply to radio and the electronic media. The subject takes as its premise that wherever information is to be delivered, and by whatever sophisticated means, it remains imperative this is achieved with accuracy, clarity, fairness and balance. The scrupulous eye and rigorous standards of a trained subeditor are essential to the outcome. The subject covers the theory and practice of editing, the role of the subeditor, basic design and layout, and production via print publication or desktop.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. understand the importance of accuracy, brevity, balance and narrative value
2. have gained an insight into the differences in editorial approach between tabloid and broadsheet, or between magazine and newspaper
3. have gained an understanding of different editorial approaches and readership; to gain the facility to adopt different editorial styles
4. be able to identify news elements in a story and that which should be the lead.
5. have gained an understanding of the techniques and practices involved in presenting a page of news
6. understand the individual editorial design style presented by publications
7. understand the practice of sub-editing.

Contribution to graduate profile

• Have a knowledge and critical understanding of the media
• Have the skills to enter journalism professional practice
• Have an understanding of the role of the media in local, regional, national and global contexts
• Have a critical understanding of the relationships between technology, professionalism and social change and be able to adapt their professional skills to future change and to new production challenges
• Have strong research skills and effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources
• Have a critical understanding of issues of gender, racism, ethnicity, disability and class and the way these are linked to issues of media representation, production and reception
• Have an understanding and commitment to ethical journalism practice

Teaching and learning strategies

These will include lectures and discussions on course readings. There will also be practical assignments and workshops based on course readings and class lectures.

Students will also be required to keep a reflective online journal, which will include evidence of class work and private research. It will form part of the evidence required for your 30% participation assessment.

Content

This content is designed to introduce students to the basic principles, techniques and professional practice of editing, layout, design and production, taking into account the changing environments in which today's journalists and professional communicators work – from media outlets still handling hard copy to electronic publishing systems.

The subject takes as its premise that wherever information is to be delivered, and by whatever sophisticated means, it remains imperative this is achieved with accuracy, clarity, fairness and balance – and the scrupulous eye and rigorous standards of a trained sub-editor are essential to that outcome. The content covers the theory and practice of editing, the role of the sub-editor, basic design and layout as well as production via print publication or desktop. The major course work will be hands-on print production of pages for a community newspaper, including sub-editing, design and layout using inDesign desktop publishing skills.

Assessment

Assignment 1: Love your layout - review two feature layouts.

Assignment 2: Copy editing and layout

Assignment 3: Reflective online journal and Quiz.

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Indicative references

Quinn, Stephen, 2002, Digital Sub-editing & Design. London: Focal Press

Harrower, Tim, 2002, The Newspaper Designer's Handbook, (fifth edition). London and New York: McGraw Hill

Hicks, W., Holmes, T., 2002, Subediting for Journalists. London and New York Routledge

Frazell, D. F., Tuck, G., Principles of Editing: A Comprehensive Guide for Students and Journalists. McGraw Hill

Lockwood, Kim, 2005, Style The Essential Guide. News Custom Publishing.

Sellers, Leslie, 1985, The Simple Subs Book. Oxford Pergamon Press

Dykes, Barbara, 1992 Grammar Made Easy. Hale&Iremonger

Strunk, W. & White, E.G., 1972 The Elements of Style. Macmillian, New York.

URLS

http://www.poynter.org/www.poynter.org

http://www.copydesk.org/

http://www.grammarbook.com/

http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/?view=uk?view=uk

http://www.britannica.com/timelines

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elements_of_Style

http://www.journalism.org/resources/j_tools

An online editing resources manual (wiki) will be accessible by students.

Students will also use daily newspapers and a range of magazines as resources.

It is also recommended that each student have a recent edition of Macquarie Dictionary.