Editing academic texts: the essential fundamentals

About the course

The course sets out to describe and clarify the different approaches to editing examinable (e.g. theses) and publishable texts (e.g. typically, academic articles) and the levels and extent of editing permissible in each type. It focuses on important aspects of academic texts that usually require the editor’s intervention: macro versus micro editing; imposing house style and consistency; paying attention to the author’s voice while ensuring that the appropriate register is maintained, that the text reads like the natural mother tongue, and that Plain Language principles are applied to render the text both accessible and engaging for the target readers; the correct use of verb tenses and moods, especially with a view to introducing hedging; the correct use of verbal connectors to support the logical flow of information and argumentation; ensuring that quoted matter is appropriately dealt with in a number of ways and that the chosen referencing system is applied correctly, completely and consistently; and the appropriate use of illustrative material such as tables and figures. Finally, attention is given to the recommended process for producing an academic thesis or article, especially the sequence in which the components should be written up and the importance of composing the conclusion/recommendations and then the title and abstract only once the entire text has been written, edited and revised. Ultimately, this course covers the essential elements and processes to be considered and dealt with if the editor’s intervention is to be systematic and lead to a polished final product ready for submission.

Course content

The course consists of eight two-hour sessions with appropriate exercises issued to the participants as preparation for each session.

• Session 1 Levels of editing and that best suited to examinable works vs publishable works; fixing and flagging vs editing
  
  
• Session 2 Editing examinable texts: the do’s and don’ts internationally; the troika of student-author, supervisor and editor, and the ideal editing process
  
  
• Session 3 Editing publishable academic texts: macro vs micro editing approaches; house style and consistency; applying Plain Language principles to render text accessible to readers
  
  
• Session 4 Editing publishable academic texts: verb tenses and moods; hedging techniques, and verbal connectors (parallel constructions and logical flow)
  
  
• Session 5 Editing publishable academic texts: referencing systems and lists of references
  
  
• Session 6 Editing publishable academic texts: dealing with quoted matter; academic register and authorial voice
  
  
• Session 7 Editing publishable academic texts: dealing with illustrations such as tables and figures
  
  
• Session 8 Editing publishable academic texts: the components of an academic article and their treatment, in particular the title, abstract and conclusion/recommendations

Registration

This course is offered by Summer School (EMS). For more information about registration and payment: Bronwyn Geldenhuys bronwyn.geldenhuys@uct.ac.za

More information

Editing academic texts: the essential fundamentals

 

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