The module provides an introduction to some of the fundamental skills used in the publishing industry in the production of printed and electronic texts, particularly academic and other factual books. Through a series of twelve two-hour workshops students will be introduced to proofreading, copy editing and indexing skills for both print and electronic publication, including the use of appropriate software. By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate that they are capable of proofing, copy editing and indexing manuscripts to professional standards. Assessment will entail: 1. proofreading and correcting for errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar; 2. copy editing hard copy using British Standard symbols and as electronic text; 3. indexing using MACREX software to create a back-of-the-book index.

The module will be delivered in two different ways: as a traditional face-to-face workshop and as a distance-learning class through Blackboard. Students will be issued with weekly assignment work to prepare for each workshop. (Workshops - 12 x two-hour sessions, total 24 hours)

Independent learning will form the bulk of the time required in the module, with set exercises and reading for completion outside workshop time. (Independent learning - total 126 hours)

Butcher's Copy Editing (2006): The Cambridge Handbook for Editors and Proofreaders
Fourth Edition (2006). Cambridge University Press
Feather, J. (2006) A History of British Publishing. Routledge and Taylor & Francis
Turner, B. (2007) The Writer's Handbook. MacMillan
Wheatley, H. B. (2002) How To Make an Index. Anthony Rowe Ltd
www.indexers.org.uk
www.sfep.org.uk

Computers with web access for general use and to gain access to Blackboard.

Must satisfy these admission requirements: none for students enrolled on full or part-time university awards, IELTS 7.5 for overseas students or by tutor assessment of use of English by module leader prior to enrolment.

Portfolio of manuscript material to process in terms of proofreading (25%) (LO 1-3), copy editing (25%) (LO 1-3) and indexing (50%) (LO 1-3).