- Online
- $740 - $760
This course can be taken as part of the UBC Micro-certificate in Writing and Communication Skills for the Workplace: Grammar and Style or as a standalone course.
Error-free copy: you want it, but how do you achieve it? Learn the rules, techniques and resources that professional copyeditors and proofreaders rely on to improve the three Cs: correctness, consistency and clarity.
In this hands-on course, discover how to identify and fix common errors, inconsistencies and weaknesses, whether in your own writing or others’. Learn the processes for editing and proofreading, and understand how the right tools — style guides, style sheets and dictionaries — can make you a better, faster editor.
Each week, apply what you learn to editing and proofreading exercises. Class materials include a booklet, handouts and exercises. You won’t be formally assessed in this non-credit course.
There is no required textbook for this course. However, it is recommended to purchase The Copyeditor’s Handbook (4th ed.) and The Copyeditor’s Workbook. Students can order these books from the UBC Bookstore.
Course outline
Week 1: Levels of Editing; Approaches to Editing
Week 2: Editing for Correctness; Editing for Clarity
Week 3: Editorial Style; Editing for Consistency
Week 4: Editing for Content; Researching and Querying; Editing toward Inclusion and Accessibility
Week 5: Proofreading Process and Tasks
Week 6: Proofreading Continued; Extended Practice; Next Steps in Your Editing Career
How am I assessed?
This course is marked complete/incomplete, and is based on your attendance and participation. Your instructor provides you personalized feedback on the assignments you hand in.
Record of completion
A record of completion will be emailed to students who participate and satisfy the course requirements within two weeks of the course end date. Course completion means 80% attendance and/or 80% completion of mandatory assignments.
Technology requirements
To take this course, you’ll need access to:
- an email account
- a computer, laptop or tablet under five years old using Windows or macOS
- the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
- a reliable internet connection
- a video camera and microphone.
One day before the start of your course, we’ll email you step-by-step instructions for accessing your course.
Course format
This course is 100% online and instructor supported with real-time classes. Log in to your class at scheduled times and participate by video conferencing.
Materials will be available in Canvas for three weeks after the course ends, after which time you will no longer be able to access the course.