WRT 340: Advanced Editing Studio

8/13/2019 WRT 340: Advanced Editing Studio

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Course Overview

What does it take to produce a publication from start to finish? In this course, we will explorepublication processes: reviewing past issues of Intertext,analyzing audience, reading and selecting

submissions, editing copy, finding and creating visual content, designing layouts, and developing

supplemental editorial content. We will also explore production and manufacturing costs as well as

issues pertaining to marketing, social media, promotion, and advertising. The ultimate goal is to

create the 2014 issue of Intertext along with a supplemental Web-based component.At the end of

the semester, we will have the 2014 launch party, tentatively scheduled for April 25.

The course will include visits from publication professionals (often via Skype, but sometimes in

person) who will share their perspectives on various aspects of publishing, from copyediting to

advertising to the shifting nature of publishing in our increasingly digital world.

Course Goals

1. Learn the steps involved in producing a high-quality print-based publication.2. Analyze some of the ways in which print-based publishing intersects with digital

publishing.

3. Work effectively and collaboratively as a team member.4. Gain insight from professionals in scholarly and academic publishing.5. Acquire strategies for editing material and communicating with authors.6. Develop basic design skills using programs such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and, to a

lesser extent, Dreamweaver.

Course Materials

! A USB jump drive or some other portable storage device (8 to 16 gigabytes) on which tosave material.

! Select readings provided on Blackboard.

WRT 340: Advanced Editing Studio

Intertext

Patrick W. Berry

[email protected], office: HBC 235

Spring 2014, Fridays, 9:30-12:15 p.m., Tolley 204 & HBC 227

http://wrt-intertext.syr.edu

office hours: Fridays, 1:00-3:00 p.m. and by appointment


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Requirements/Assessment

The course emphasizes reading, editing, and teamwork, and thus a generous work ethic is expected

(i.e., flexibility, willingness to work outside of class, independence). Grading will be based on active

participation in all aspects of the course, including the following:

! Attending all class meetings, subcommittee meetings (when necessary), individualconferences, and launch party

! Engaging with assigned readings! Completing all assigned tasks by the due date! Doing close reading and careful editing! Developing effective design components and revising as necessary! Meeting all deadlines! Submitting Final Reflection

You will receive feedback from me on your work throughout the semester. We will also have a

conference midway through the semester to assess your work in terms of editing and design.

Attendance & Participation

Your timely participation in all assigned tasks (in class and at home) is critical for your success in

the course. Coming to class unprepared or being uninvolved or more than 20 minutes late will be

considered an absence. If you miss three classes, your grade will be reduced by one letter grade. If

you miss more than three classes, you run the risk of failing the course.

Special Needs and Situations

If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact the Office of Disability

Services (ODS), http://disabilityservices.syr.edu, located in Room 309 of 804 University Avenue,or call 315-443-4498 for an appointment to discuss your needs and the process for requesting

accommodations. ODS is responsible for coordinating disability-related accommodations and will

issue students with documented disabilities Accommodation Authorization Letters as appropriate.

Since accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively,

please contact ODS as soon as possible if needed.

Syracuse University and I are committed to your success and to supporting Section 504 of the

Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This means that in general, no individual who is otherwise qualified

shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination

under any program or activity solely by reason of having a disability.

Religious Observance

SUs religious observances policy, found at

http://supolicies.syr.edu/emp_ben/religious_observance.htm, recognizes the diversity of faiths

represented among the campus community and protects the rights of students, faculty, and staff to

observe religious holy days according to their tradition. Under the policy, students are provided an

opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that may be missed due to a


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religious observance provided they notify their instructors before the end of the second week of

classes. For fall and spring semesters, an online notification process is available through

MySlice/Student Services/Enrollment/My Religious Observances from the first day of class until

the end of the second week of class.

Academic Honesty

The academic community requires ethical behavior from all of its participants. For writers, this

means that the work we claim as ours must truly be ours. We are not always expected to come up

with new ideas; we often build our thinking on the ideas of others. We are expected, however, to

credit others for their contributions and to clearly indicate the boundaries of our own thinking. In

cases where academic dishonesty is detected (the fraudulent submission of anothers work, in whole

or in part, as your own), you may be subject to a failing grade for the project or the course and, in

the worst case, to academic probation or expulsion. For a more detailed description of the

guidelines for adhering to academic honesty in the College of Arts and Sciences, go to:

http://academicintegrity.syr.edu .

Emerging schedule

Date In class At home (due for the following class)

1/17Introduction to the course andto Intertext; review types ofeditorial content needed inpublication; develop selectioncriteria.

Read submission packets and follow instructions on handout. Submitassignment to Blackboard by Thursday, 1/23, at 8 p.m. Bring handouts ofpackets to class.

1/24 Discuss submissions; discussstrategies for collectingphotographs. Reviewproduction and manufacturingoptions.

Read submission packets and submit evaluation and choices on Blackboard.Bring paper or electronic copy of packet to class. Shoot a minimum of10 photographs for consideration. Read selections from Carolyn RudesTechnical Editing (pp. 34-46 and 106-124).

1/31 Discuss submissions; reviewcopyediting practices; reviewimages.

Read submission packets and submit evaluation and choices on Blackboard.Bring paper or electronic copy of packet to class. Shoot 10 morephotographs for consideration. Edit two pieces using the strategies we

discussed in class.


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2/7 Finalize manuscripts.Introduction to InDesign.Develop design guidelines.Explore communitysolicitations and possibilitiesfor multimedia content.

Read selection from Robin Williamss The Non-Designers Design Book (pp. 81-108). Read selections from Carol Sallers The Subversive Copy Editor.Create one layout (to be assigned); copyedit one piece (to be assigned).

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Workshop layouts and editing;review procedure for notifyingauthors and sharing suggestededits.

Skype Meeting: Manufacturingand Production

Notify authors (to be assigned). Perform Stage 2 tasks (to be assigned),which will focus on advanced layout and editing, supplemental material fromcommunity partners, and Web content.

2/21 TBA Continue Stage 2 production tasks.

2/28 Preparing Web content forjournal

Skype Meeting: DigitalPublishing

Stage 3 production tasks (to be assigned), which will include front matter,TOC, Web content, and final editing

3/7 Preparing for final read Final read

3/14 Spring Break

3/21 TBA Readings TK

3/28 Sign off before issue goes topress.

4/4 Finalize Web content Individual tasks to be assigned.

4/11 TBA

4/18 TBA

4/25 Course reflections; studentevaluations; Launch Party

Final Reflection essay is due.

Documents

WRT 340: Advanced Editing Studio