EDIT320
Stylistic Editing
Stylistic editing clarifies meaning, ensures coherence and flow at the level of sentences and paragraphs, and refines the language.
The course starts by introducing the communication tools and practices used in stylistic editing. Then it looks at the three main strands in stylistic editing: clarity, flow, and language. Throughout, students apply the communication tools and practices used in stylistic editing across genres, including informational documents and creative narratives.
The final assignment for this course is due one week after the course ends.
Overview
Location: Online
Format: Self-paced within deadlines set by instructor
Duration: 4 weeks
Tuition: $485
Can be applied to:
Editing Certificate
Upcoming Offerings
Register for a course at any time, with the option to apply to a program later.
- Wed, Oct 21 - Tue, Nov 17 (self-paced within deadlines)
- Wed, Feb 3 - Tue, Mar 2 (self-paced within deadlines)
- Wed, Mar 24 - Tue, Apr 20 (self-paced within deadlines)
What you will learn
By the end of the course, you will be able to do the following:
- Recognize unclear prose and make it clear.
- Revise incoherent paragraphs or passages to make them coherent.
- Identify and correct common stylistic problems such as ambiguous writing, jargon, clichés, noun strings, wordiness, and inappropriate language level for the audience.
- Edit using standard markup methods.
- Edit for clarity, flow, and language for a specific audience.
How you will learn and be evaluated
Prepare to spend 6-10 hours per week on coursework, including:
- Readings
- Assignments and exercises
- Online discussions
- Feedback on assignments
You will be evaluated on:
- Assignments
- Participation in discussions
Learning Materials
No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.
Recommended reading:
The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th or 18th Edition. University of Chicago Press, 2017 or 2024.
Note: Courses use the author-date style from the Chicago/Turabian (17th ed.) citation guide.
Once you begin the course you’ll be sent SFU library access information for this text. Alternatively, you may wish to access a 30-day free trial of the online version of Chicago Manual of Style.
Technical Requirements
For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.
You will need access to the following:
- Microsoft Word (2010 or newer) and being comfortable with Track Changes function
- A printer
- A scanner or camera to create a digital copy of editing examples to be submitted for one of the assignments
- High-speed internet access
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
English Language Requirements
To succeed in this course, you will need an advanced level of written and spoken English. If you are unsure whether your English language skills are sufficient, we recommend you complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with the following minimums:
- Overall band score minimum 6.5
- No band below 6.0
- Writing band score minimum 8.0
Please note we can’t refund your registration fees after the course start date if you find your English language skills are not adequate.
If you have questions or concerns about your English language proficiency, we encourage you to contact your local IELTS Test Centre.