Certificate of Editing for Specialists & Professionals

Unit 1 – The role of an editor

• Introduction
• The role of the editor
• Language skills and application
• Text types
• Voice, tone, and style
• How to work within voice, style, and tone
• Language use
• Register
• Project management and application
• General skills
• Editors-in-charge
• Editorial teams
• Managing team
• Staff training and development
• Specialisms in editing
• Substantive or developmental editors
• More on the editorial board

Unit 2 – A brief summary of grammar

• Introduction
• The purpose of grammar
• Approaches to grammar
• Prescriptive grammar
• Descriptive grammar
• Punctuation and clarity
• Word choices
• Selecting a more specific word or term
• Jargon
• Grammar basics: refresh your learning
• Spelling
• Punctuation
• Grammar
• Common mistakes
• Style errors
• Style sheets

Unit 3 – Referencing, style guides and indexing

• Introduction
• Style guides
• The difference between a style guide and a style sheet
• Purpose of a style guide
• Examples of common style guides and their uses
• Judgement calls
• Dictionaries
• The Oxford comma
• Referencing
• Bibliographies and works cited
• Appendices
• In-text citations vs. Notes
• Repeat citations
• Footnotes and endnotes
• Direct vs. Indirect use
• Quotation styles
• Multiple authors
• Sources
• Common reference styles
• Referencing changes
• Margin notes
• Cross-references
• Glossary
• Other inclusions in a text

Unit 4 – Editorial ethics and relevant legislation

• Introduction
• Editorial ethics
• Conflicts of interest
• Defining the client
• Scope of work
• Contract
• Editing or re-writing?
• Intellectual property and examination work
• When to step back
• Relevant legislation
• Defining the editor’s role
• Copyright
• Cultural sensitivity
• Defamation
• Libel and slander
• False light
• Moral rights
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Permissions and rights for reproduction
• Controversial subjects

Unit 5 – Editor – client relationships

• Introduction
• Professional vs. Personal
• Project definition
• Appraisal and suitability
• The responsibility of the author in the relationship
• Working with multiple authors
• Being aware of the creative process
• Working with authors
• Writing enough or too much – project managing the author

Unit 6 – Defining editorial queries, presenting corporate briefs, goal setting

• Editorial queries
• How to write an editorial query
• Corporate briefs
• Pitch decks
• Ad copy

Unit 7 – Developmental and substantive editing, and managing projects

• Introduction
• Ghost writing
• Discretion
• Constructive criticism
• Structure

Unit 8 – Blog and online editorial management

• Introduction
• Online consideration.
• Language considerations
• The importance of layout
• Visual style
• Indexing and subject hierarchy
• Evergreen editing
• Developmental editing
• Video production
• Multiple platforms
• Understanding engagement
• Fast editing and meeting deadlines

Unit 9 – Specialist commercial editing

• Introduction
• Corporate communications editing
• Corporate storytelling
• Problem-based learning project (PBL) – corporate editing project

Unit 10 – Specialist academic editing

• Introduction
• Identify and know the work
• Scope
• Extent of work and restrictions
• The author’s role
• Publication
• Version control
• Order of work
• Style conventions
• Language
• Text elements, including grammar and spelling
• Layout
• Non-text elements
• Types of research
• Plagiarism and self-plagiarism
• Intellectual property and ethics. Evaluating the whole work
• Expression and clarity
• Don’t be a co-author
• Defining roles
• Is it expressed well?
• Is it clear – drawing it together

• Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
• Improve your employment opportunities;
• Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
• High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
• No entry requirements;
• All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
• Unlimited tutor support;
• Easy to understand course content;
• We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
• Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
• Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.

The approximate study hours for this course is 100 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).

While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.

You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!

Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.

BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.

Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.

Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.

Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.

No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.

Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.

Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.