COURSE

SYLLABUS

CM305 EDITING
COURSE INFORMATION
CM305 Editing (3 credit hrs.) :: Fall 2015
8-8:50 MWF :: Hess 51 / Hess 56
Bruce Clary, Instructor :: Deans Suite
Office Hrs. :: By appointment
claryb@mcpherson.edu
242-0506

COURSE DESCRIPTION
An introduction to editing. Students learn how to correct, tighten and clarify texts and how to
apply design principles to a variety of documents and publications.

REQUIREMENTS MET
CM305 Editing is required of all communication majors. Communication minors may use it
toward their required 20 hours in the field. English and English education majors may use
CM305 toward required journalism hours.

REQUIRED TEXTS
AP Stylebook. Any recent edition.
Brooks, Pinson, and Wilson. Working with Words: A Handbook for Media Writers and Editors. 8/e.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2013.

COURSE STRUCTURES AND PROCEDURES

The course concentrates upon traditional copy editing skills such as correcting grammar, word
usage, punctuation, and spelling; using a stylebook to impart consistency upon all aspects a
texts presentation; and revising others writing to improve its style, structure, and content. In
addition, the course covers principles of basic document design.
We will use the eLearning LMS on Bulldog Connect, Google Drive (which is included in your
college email account), and, most likely, some interactive online exercises. To free class time for
practicing editing skills, some lectures will be recorded and assigned as homework.

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The following statements describe what you are expected to be able to do upon completion of
this course.
1. Edit copy for grammar and punctuation.
2. Edit copy for consistent style (well use AP, of course) and correct words.

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3. Edit stories to improve their style, structure and content.

4. Design attractive, readable pages.

EVALUATION AND GRADING

Your learning in CM 305 will be assessed through in- and out-of-class learning activities, regular
quizzes, three unit tests, and midterm and final exams. Some of the daily assignments and
quizzes will be delivered through eLearning or (possibly) other websites. The final exam will be
comprehensive.
Final grades. The above components of the course will figure as follows in the computation of
final grades:
Daily Work ................................................................................................. 25 percent
Quizzes ........................................................................................................ 20 percent
Unit Tests .................................................................................................... 20 percent
Midterm Exam .......................................................................................... 15 percent
Final Exam .................................................................................................. 20 percent
Grades will be awarded according to a scale of 91-100 = A; 81-90 = B; 71-80 = C;
61-70 = D.
Attendance. Class attendance is critical. I take roll at the beginning of class. If you enter class
after I take roll, it is your responsibility to see me after class to make sure I change your
unexcused absence to a tardy. Three tardies will be converted to an unexcused absence. Check
your attendance record on Bulldog Connect regularly to ensure it is accurate. I reserve the right
to lower final grades for four or more absences, regardless of circumstances.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Integrity is perhaps the most important quality of a successful editor. This class is composed
almost exclusively of upperclass communication and English majors. You dont need me to
define academic dishonesty; you know what it isany action taken to gain a point or get a grade
that you didnt earn through your own study and mastery of the content. According to college
policy, instructors can fail a student who is guilty of academic dishonesty on the project or for
the course. You can depend on the first and then, if necessary, the second consequence. I report
every instance of academic dishonesty to the Office of Academic Affairs. Students who are
reported three times for academic dishonesty may be suspended or expelled from the college.

DISABILITY STATEMENT
Students who, because of disability, may require reasonable accommodations to meet course
requirements should contact the instructor or access coordinator, Carole Barr (ext. 2506), as
soon as possible.

ACADEMIC SERVICES
The Royer Center for Academic Development (Miller Library, main level) is open to all students
who need academic assistance in any class.

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INITIAL SCHEDULE OF TOPICS

Please check the CM350 course site in Bulldog Connect daily for all details regarding reading
assignments, video lectures to watch, quizzes, etc.
F Aug 21 Introduction to course

Unit 1: Understanding the English Sentence

M Aug 24

Basic Sentence Patterns

W Aug 26

Three Troublesome Verbs

F Aug 28

Active and Passive Voice

M Aug 31

Modifiers and Prepositional phrases

W Sep 2

A Fourth Sentence Pattern and Pronoun Case

F Sep 4

Conjunctions and Compound Sentence Parts

W Sep 9

Compound and Complex Sentences: Adverb Clauses

F Sep 11

Adjective Clauses

M Sep14

Noun Clauses

W Sep 16

Gerund and Participial Phrases

F Sep 18

Infinitive Phrases

M Sep 21

Unit Review

W Sep 23

**Understanding the English Sentence Test**

Unit 2: Usage and Mechanics

F Sep 25

Five Key Principles of Grammar

M Sep 28

Active Voice

W Sep 30

Parallel Structure

F Oct 2

Nouns

M Oct 5

Pronouns

W Oct 7

Subject-Verb Agreement

F Oct 9

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement, Pronoun Reference

M Oct 12

Midterm Review

W Oct 14

**Midterm Exam**

F Oct 16

Fall Break: No Class

M Oct 19

Misused and Confused words

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W Oct 21

Misused and Confused words (cont.)

F Oct 23

Punctuation

M Oct 26

Punctuation (cont.)

W Oct 28

Abbreviations

F Oct 30

Capitalization

M Nov 2

Numbers

W Nov 4

Student-led Usage and Mechanics Review

F Nov 6

**Usage and Mechanics Test**

Unit 3: Tightening and Improving Copy

M Nov 9

Tightening Copy

W Nov 11

Tightening Copy (cont.)

F Nov 13

Tightening Copy (cont.)

M Nov 16

Editing Stories

W Nov 18

Editing Stories (cont.)

F Nov 20

Editing Stories (cont.)

M Nov 23

**Tightening and Editing Test**

Unit 4: Principles of Document Design

M Nov 30
W Dec 2

Typography and Custom Stylesheets

Principles of Page Layout

F Dec 4

Page design (cont)

M Dec 7

8 a.m. FINAL EXAM

DISCLAIMER
This syllabus is subject to modification. The instructor will communicate all substantial
modifications both to the Chief Academic Officer and to students enrolled in the course, prior to
enacting these modifications.