MECO6916: Semester 1, 2026

Units MECO6916 Semester 1 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

MECO6916: Editing and Proofreading

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Students will learn about the roles of the editor and proofreader in the broader publishing context and how these roles have been affected by technological change. They will develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the areas of structural editing, copyediting and proofreading, and learn how to apply these skills across a diverse range of content types. They will be introduced to editorial best practice; the importance of maintaining the author’s voice, intent and style; current ethical and legal considerations; using style guides and creating style sheets; and the business aspects of being an editor. Proficient English language skills are essential for this unit.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Media and Communications
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Agata Mrva-Montoya, agata.mrva-montoya@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Julie Ganner, julie.ganner@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	Structural edit and report More details are available on Canvas.	35%	Week 05 Due date: 27 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 10 Apr 2026	2,000 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Copyediting task More details are available on Canvas.	35%	Week 10 Due date: 08 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 May 2026	1,250 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Proofreading task More details are available on Canvas.	30%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 12 Jun 2026	1,250 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Structural edit and report: Students are required to carry out a structural edit on the provided document and write a report.
Copyediting task: Students are required to copyedit a manuscript using Microsoft Word and provide a style sheet.
Proofreading task: Students are required to proofread a document on screen using PDF mark-up tools.

Detailed information for each assessment will be available on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High Distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a Credit a good standard, and a Pass is an acceptable standard.

More details about the grading of each assignment is available on Canvas.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	The role of editors and the editing process	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 01	The role of editors and the editing process	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 02	The mechanics of editing	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 02	The mechanics of editing	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Substance and structure	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Substance and structure	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Management and liaison	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Management and liaison	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Legal and ethical	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Legal and ethical	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Editing for consistency	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Editing for consistency	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Grammar and punctuation	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Grammar and punctuation	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 08	Language	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 08	Language	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 09	Copyediting structural elements	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 09	Copyediting structural elements	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 10	Copyediting artwork and tables	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 10	Copyediting artwork and tables	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 11	Proofreading	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 11	Proofreading	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 12	Diversity and inclusion	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 12	Diversity and inclusion	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 13	The business of being an editor and course revision	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 13	The business of being an editor and course revision	Tutorial (1.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

English Proficiency: Students must demonstrate excellent English language proficiency to successfully complete this unit.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board which will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture Recording: Lectures will not be recorded except in specific circumstances.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The reading list is available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the editorial workflow and professional context, including the different levels of editing, technological impacts on publishing, and the business aspects of being a professional editor
LO2. develop professional editing competencies, including structural editing, manuscript preparation, copyediting for clarity and consistency, and proofreading conventions
LO3. establish and maintain a constructive relationship with authors, through respectful communication and by maintaining the author’s voice, intention and style
LO4. master digital editing technologies and tools, including proficient use of Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, file handling conventions, and digital editing techniques
LO5. navigate legal and ethical considerations in editing, with a focus on diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and maintaining professional standards of communication and practice
LO6. apply advanced editorial techniques to various publication types, including managing structural elements (headings, references, illustrations, tables), creating style sheets, and implementing version control

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The curriculum and assessment tasks have been revised to align them with the new edition of the "Australian standards for editing practice" and student feedback.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links