Outline

Overview

This unit introduces practical techniques for editing workplace documents for increased clarity and effectiveness. Applying theories and principles of visual rhetoric, students will learn how to improve the readability and reception of workplace texts according to audience conventions and expectations. By analysing actual workplace documents, students will develop their critical reading abilities and gain a better understanding of how to edit texts for word economy, improved design and layout, and inclusive language. Editing print texts for digital or oral presentation will also be emphasised.

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Benjamin Miller, benjamin.miller@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Kirk Dodd, kirk.dodd@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
Written work	Individual editorial project Written task	25%	Week 06 Due date: 02 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Jun 2026	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Experimental design	Large editorial project (Group) Written task with group and individual (collaborative input) options	50%	Week 11 Due date: 15 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 05 Jun 2026	2500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Reflective Essay Written submission in essay form	25%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Jun 2026	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found 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 an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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	Intro to rhetoric - editing as a persuasive act (online lecture)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Rhetoric and editing (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Higher and lower order editorial concerns (online lecture)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Higher and lower order editing concerns (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Editorial roles, teamwork, and publication plans (online lecture)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Higher and lower order editorial concerns (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Editing and AI (online lecture)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Editing, AI and team dynamics (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	PANEL DISCUSSION SPECIAL EVENT: Professional editors discuss the new world of editing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Editorial roles and publishing plans (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Collaboration and editing: relationships and processes (ONLINE ACTIVITIES)	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Editors and writers - tips for creating work briefs (online lecture)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Cultural traditions of rhetoric (online lectures)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Inclusive language and cross-cultural communication (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Groupwork dynamics - check-in on teamwork strategies (online lecture)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Editorial publics: genres and their audiences (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Power dynamics in the editing profession (online lecture)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Editors as professionals: ethics, politics, power (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Online editing - visual rhetoric and online design (online lecture)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Content management and online editing (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Archiving and preserving editorial work (online lecture)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Adaptation and transcription: preserving or transferring (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Work journals and critical reflection (online lecture)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Editing as reflective practice (in-person tutorial)	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Attendance will be assessed on the basis of a student's active participation in discussions and activities in our 2-hour tutorials each week, which are essential activities for passing the unit. Students will be marked absent if they do not attend tutorials or if they leave class during a tutorial without seeking approval from their tutor.
Students need to have 90% attendance to pass the unit, excluding documented sick days or misadventure. Students whose attendance falls below the adequate level without documentation will not be permitted to pass the unit.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction. We run 2-hour tutorials each week, so this equates to six hours p.w. of reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Reading List link available on Canvas. These readings will generally include rhetorical theory (how persuasive communication works) and editorial theory and techniques. The unit will draw on two main types of reading material:

scholarly works that deal critically with editing in theory and practice
works that deal with applied knowledge, such as professional handbooks and practical articles

These readings must be completed before the relevant week’s seminar. They may also be drawn upon to support student work for assignments.

A further category of resource is reference material such as dictionaries, grammatical references, usage guides and other similar works. These will be generally useful, and students may decide to acquire works of this kind, but they are not required.

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. Interpret professional and public documents in terms of their rhetorical features and as products of an editorial process
LO2. Compose meaningful editorial advice addressing lower and higher order concerns
LO3. Critically assess stylistic choices in professional and public writing according to their promotion of social inclusion and their responsibility to diverse audiences
LO4. Adapt arguments from print documents for oral and digital contexts of delivery
LO5. Build and maintain constructive editorial relationships with colleagues and other professionals

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 UoS delivers a weekly online lecture (1 hour) which all students must review prior to attending their 2-hour tutorials. Lectures will not be delivered at specific times but students are expected to spend one hour per week reviewing lecture materials in Canvas (these may include recorded lectures, slides, videos or other materials). Students must also spend time reviewing the week's readings prior to each tutorial and be prepared to discuss these readings with their tutor and peers. THE TUTORIAL IS NOT A LECTURE, it is an opportunity to discuss the online lecture materials and readings and to practice exercises that help to understand the concepts and principles and skillsets of professional editing. In recognition of digital innovation, Generative AI is permitted in assessments but this remains bound by integrity policies. Assessments must follow guidelines and proper citation practices and incorporate weekly guidance from instructors.

Additional information

Simple extensions and late penalties

All students are welcome to a 5 calendar day "simple extension" for assessments (except for the group work assessment where there can be no extensions). This means students do not have to apply for, or ask permission for, acquiring a simple extension.
To apply for Simple extensions, students should use the simple extension portal: https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/simple-extensions.html
For Assignment #2 (the large group assignment worth 50%), there can be no extensions and late penalties will apply.
If a student is facing difficulties in participating effectively in the group assignment they (or their group members) should raise these concerns as soon as possible with their tutor or the coordinator who can assist this process.

Late penalties (5% per day)

For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. This penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date.

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

WRIT6001: Professional Editing

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

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links