WRT 340: Advanced Editing Studio

Intertext
Patrick W. Berry

pwberry@syr.edu, office: HBC 235

Spring 2017, 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

Course Overview
What does it take to produce a publication from start to finish? In this course, we will explore
publication 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 2017 issue of Intertext along with a supplemental Web-based component. At the end of
the semester, we will have the 2017 launch party, scheduled for April 28 from 9:30 a.m. to
11:00 a.m. in 500 Hall of Languages.

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 investigating and comparing different examples of scholarly and
commercial publishing.
5. Acquire strategies for editing material and communicating with authors.
6. Develop basic design skills using programs such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.

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Course Materials
A USB jump drive or some other portable storage device (8 to 16 gigabytes) on which to
save material.
Select readings provided on Blackboard.

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), individual

conferences, 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

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
impact your grade. 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.

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. You are also welcome to contact me
privately to discuss your academic needs, although I cannot arrange for disability-related
accommodations.

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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 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. At the same time, 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 with 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 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)

1/20 Introduction to the course Read assigned packed by Thursday at 8 p.m. Bring handouts of
and to Intertext; review types packets to class.
of editorial content needed
in publication; develop
selection criteria.

1/27 Discuss submissions; Read assigned packet by Thursday at 8 p.m. Bring handouts of
discuss strategies for packets to class. Research and shoot possible photographs for issue.
collecting photographs.
Discuss fair use. Review
production and
manufacturing options.

2/3 Discuss submissions; review Read selection from Robin Williamss The Non-Designers Design Book
copyediting practices; (pp. 81-108). Read selections from Carol Sallers The Subversive Copy
review images. Editor.

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2/10 Finalize manuscripts for Create one layout (to be assigned); copyedit one piece (to be
2017 issue. Introduction to assigned).
InDesign. Develop style
guidelines. Explore
community solicitations and
possibilities for multimedia
content.

2/17 Workshop layouts and Notify authors (to be assigned). Perform Stage 2 tasks (to be
editing; review procedure assigned), which will focus on finalizing layout and editing,
for notifying authors and supplemental material from community partners, and Web content.
sharing suggested edits. Professional copy editor reviews manuscripts.

2/24 Planning web-based Continue Stage 2 production tasks (editing and layout revisions).
component of site.

3/3 Comparing your edits to Prepare questions for copy editor.

those of a professional copy
editor.

3/10 Preparing final layouts for Professional art director reviews layouts and offers feedback.
art director.

3/17 No class Stage 3 production tasks (to be assigned), which will include front
matter, TOC, Web content, and final editing

3/24 Final issue review I Proofreading/revisions

3/31 Final issue review II Proofreading/revisions

4/7 Fianl issue review Sign off before issue goes to press.

4/14 Proofreading Proofreading

4/21 Course reflections; student

evaluations

4/28 Intertext Launch