50301 Editing and Publishing

UTS: Communication
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 50115 Journalism 2 OR 50235 Journalism 2

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 will:

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

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject provides students with:

a knowledge and critical understanding of the media
the skills to enter journalism professional practice
an understanding of the role of the media in local, regional, national and global contexts
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
strong research skills and effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources
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
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

Assessment item 1: Love your layout - review two feature layouts.

Objective(s):	To gain insight into the different approaches to layout.
Weighting:	20%
Length:	Approximately 1,000 words
Task:	To take a feature layout from two different publications - one layout you think works and one you think does not work. Assess the layouts against your knowledge of target audiences and layout techniques and write a report noting the use of white space, headlines, fonts, graphics, pictures and other design features.
Assessment criteria:	Demonstrated understanding of differences in layout styles adopted by different publications.

Assessment item 2: Copy editing and layout

Objective(s):	Part 1: One-page layout Have gained an understanding of the techniques and practices involved in preparing and presenting a page of news. Part 2: Two-page spread layout Understand the individual editorial approach and design style presented by publications and apply style. Editing copy, writing headlines, standfirsts and captions.
Weighting:	50% (Part 1 and Part 2)
Task:	Part 1 To edit and prepare copy and design and layout a page on screen from supplied text and images. Part 2 To select stories and pictures from a range of supplied material; to edit stories and place them with pictures in a two-page layout drawn to a style specification.
Assessment criteria:	Demonstrated understanding of what is involved in the selection, preparation and presentation of stories and pictures. This includes the demonstration of sound copy-editing skills, including writing headlines, standfirsts and captions; identifying pull quotes; correcting typographical, grammatical and style mistakes; checking for accuracy and balance; using link words and paragraphs; editing appropriately and cutting stories to fit. It also includes choosing, placing and cropping photographs and designing and laying out pages to the style of a specified publication.

Assessment item 3: Reflective online journal and Quiz.

Objective(s):	Understand the practice of sub-editing.
Weighting:	30%
Task:	Students will analyse and reflect on the skills and approaches to editing in an online journal. Demonstrate understanding of the principles of sub-editing by taking a subject quiz.
Assessment criteria:	Entries in the online journal should demonstrate understanding of the principles of sub-editing practices as they apply to a wide range of publications and target audiences as well as evidence of ability to research and analyse approaches to sub-editing. Reflections, minimum 8, should show engagement with course content.

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.