The Writer's Craft: Editing & Revision

Course Syllabus

Course Description

This course teaches you to turn a rough draft into finished, readable writing. You will learn the four levels of editing (developmental, line, copyediting, and proofreading) and practice each one: strengthening structure and pacing, writing strong openings and endings, cutting clutter, choosing active voice and strong verbs, punctuating dialogue, and mastering the grammar and punctuation essentials that readers notice most. You will also learn to give and receive feedback in a respectful critique circle, keep a simple style sheet, and work with beta readers and professional editors. You will finish with a before-and-after revision of one piece from CWP 221 or CWP 222, a revision memo, and a style sheet. Every activity can be completed by hand on paper.

Faith Integration

Jesus said that every fruitful branch is purged, or pruned, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2). Revision is pruning: cutting away what does not serve so the best of your writing can grow. Editing is never a judgment of your worth or your story. It is care for the reader and stewardship of the words God has given you. In this course we give feedback the way Proverbs 27:17 describes, iron sharpening iron, always about the writing and never about the writer's past.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Explain revision as pruning (John 15:2) and describe the four levels of editing in the order they are best done.
2. Revise a draft for structure and pacing using a reverse outline, scene, and summary.
3. Write strong openings and endings that fit the piece and its reader.
4. Cut clutter and strengthen sentences with active voice and specific, strong verbs.
5. Write and punctuate dialogue correctly, including tags, action beats, and paragraphing.
6. Correct common errors with commas, apostrophes, its/it's, there/their/they're, run-ons, and fragments.
7. Keep a simple style sheet for consistency and explain the purpose of a publisher's style guide.
8. Give and receive feedback with grace, work with beta readers and editors, and complete a self-editing checklist.

Course Materials

• This student workbook
• A Bible (King James Version)
• A finished piece from CWP 221 or CWP 222 (or another piece of your own writing approved by the instructor)
• Lined paper, a folder, and two pen colors (one for drafting, one for editing)
• Pen or pencil (devices are optional; every assignment may be handwritten)

Weekly Schedule

How You Will Be Graded

To pass this course: earn 70% or higher overall and attend at least 80% of sessions.

Classroom Covenant

• We begin and end each session in prayer. Participation in prayer is always welcome, never required.
• What is shared in class stays in class. We protect one another's stories.
• We speak with respect, listen without interrupting, and disagree with grace.
• We come prepared, do our own work, and ask for help when we need it.
• We follow all facility rules. Safety and security come first.
• We believe the best about one another and about what God can do.

Support & Accommodations

If reading, writing, vision, hearing, or any other need makes a part of this course harder, tell your instructor privately. Materials can be read aloud, enlarged, or completed orally. Missed sessions can be made up using the module pages. If you are transferred or released, your completed work stays on record and you can finish online.

Welcome

Welcome to the third course of the Christian Writing & Publishing Certificate. In this course you will take a piece you have already written and make it shine. This companion walks beside you with a weekly reading, five devotions for the days between sessions, and a Quick Guide of editing rules and checklists to keep with your writing long after this course ends.

How to Use This Companion

• Read the weekly reading after each class session. It takes about 10 minutes.
• Reflect on the questions. These are for you; you do not have to turn them in.
• Meet with God through the five daily devotions between sessions.
• Keep the Quick Guide at the end to carry home after release.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.— Psalm 119:105 (KJV)