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  • Berkeley Global

Grammar, Mechanics and Usage for Editors

ENGLISH X445

41085
Delivery Options Online

Editors must have a strong command of English grammar, syntax and mechanics to edit the work of others clearly, confidently and correctly. Gain a practical understanding of grammar and the logic governing syntax and punctuation use. Learn to analyze grammar and syntax, understand sentence structure, transition from one idea to another and choose the right words to convey meaning, among other topics. Homework exercises, frequent quizzes and multi-draft editing assignments help build your expertise and prepare you for the beginning copyediting course that follows next in the sequence. Enrollment is limited.

Course Outline

Expand or collapse section

Course Objectives

  • Describe the function of any word, phrase or clause in a grammatical sentence, using the names of the eight parts of speech and other nomenclature from classical grammar
  • Correct instances of bad grammar
  • Distinguish between phrases and clauses, discuss their various functions in a sentence and use them in grammatical ways Identify sentence functions and types
  • Correct faulty sentences to improve clarity
  • Produce sentences that vary in structure, length and formality
  • Make sound decisions about the use of punctuation
  • Use resources such as style manuals to make sound editorial decisions about mechanical issues that are not strictly within the realm of grammar
  • Produce a variety of acceptable solutions to sexist language
  • Eliminate or minimize your own spelling errors
  • Write queries to clients
  • Clearly explain to another person your reasons, based on grammar, mechanics and usage, for making changes in the categories above

What You Learn

  • Parts of speech: nouns and verbs
  • The sentence, including classifications, subject and the predicate, fragments, run-on sentences, parallelism, problems with modifiers, and shifting syntax
  • Pronouns
  • Adjectives and adverbs
  • Mixed constructions, variety, wordiness
  • Passive vs. active voice
  • Dynamic verbs
  • Usage and mechanics, including language, punctuation, spelling and conventions

How You Learn

  • Reading assignments
  • Instructor's notes
  • Practice exercises
  • Discussion participation
  • Written assignments
  • Midterm exam
  • Final exam

Is This Course for Me?

This course is designed for those beginning the Professional Sequence in Editing, those who wish to work as editors, as well as anyone with an interest in the subject.

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Sections

Section 107

Wait List

Feb 02, 2021 to Apr 27, 2021 Online

Course Fee(s)

Course Fee credit (2 units)

$810.00


Type Online, Fixed Date

Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.

Dates

Feb 02, 2021 to Apr 27, 2021

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Instructors

  • Rita Kasperek

Section Notes

TEXTBOOK NOTES: Students may also use the regular 9th edition of A Writer's Reference (9781319057442). LaunchPad is recommended, but is not required for this course.

Section Materials

  • Textbook (Mandatory) Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary © 2003 Merriam-Webster, Inc. 11th edition ISBN 0877798095 Textbook ISBN: 9780877798095
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Chicago Manual of Style © 2017 University of Chicago Press 17th edition ISBN 022628705X Textbook ISBN: 978-0226287058
  • Textbook (Mandatory) Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O'Connor © 2019 Riverhead Books 4th edition ISBN 0525533052 Textbook ISBN: 9780525533054
  • Textbook (Mandatory) A Writer's Reference with LaunchPad by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers © 2018 Bedford/St Martin's 9th edition ISBN 1319153801 Textbook ISBN: 9781319153809

Section 108

Wait List

Feb 02, 2021 to Apr 27, 2021 Online

Course Fee(s)

Course Fee credit (2 units)

$810.00


Type Online, Fixed Date

Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.

Dates

Feb 02, 2021 to Apr 27, 2021

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Instructors

  • Elizabeth Asborno

Section Notes

TEXTBOOK NOTES: Students may also use the regular 9th edition of A Writer's Reference (9781319057442). LaunchPad is recommended, but is not required for this course.

Section Materials

  • Textbook (Mandatory) Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary © 2003 Merriam-Webster, Inc. 11th edition ISBN 0877798095 Textbook ISBN: 9780877798095
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Chicago Manual of Style © 2017 University of Chicago Press 17th edition ISBN 022628705X Textbook ISBN: 978-0226287058
  • Textbook (Mandatory) Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O'Connor © 2019 Riverhead Books 4th edition ISBN 0525533052 Textbook ISBN: 9780525533054
  • Textbook (Mandatory) A Writer's Reference with LaunchPad by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers © 2018 Bedford/St Martin's 9th edition ISBN 1319153801 Textbook ISBN: 9781319153809

Section 106

Feb 09, 2021 to May 04, 2021 Online

Course Fee(s)

Course Fee credit (2 units)

$810.00


Type Online, Fixed Date

Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.

Dates

Feb 09, 2021 to May 04, 2021

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Instructors

  • Barbara Magalnick

Section Notes

TEXTBOOK NOTES: Students may also use the regular 9th edition of A Writer's Reference (9781319057442). LaunchPad is recommended, but is not required for this course.

Section Materials

  • Textbook (Mandatory) Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary © 2003 Merriam-Webster, Inc. 11th edition ISBN 0877798095 Textbook ISBN: 9780877798095
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Chicago Manual of Style © 2017 University of Chicago Press 17th edition ISBN 022628705X Textbook ISBN: 978-0226287058
  • Textbook (Mandatory) Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O'Connor © 2019 Riverhead Books 4th edition ISBN 0525533052 Textbook ISBN: 9780525533054
  • Textbook (Mandatory) A Writer's Reference with LaunchPad by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers © 2018 Bedford/St Martin's 9th edition ISBN 1319153801 Textbook ISBN: 9781319153809

Section 109

Feb 16, 2021 to May 11, 2021 Online

Course Fee(s)

Course Fee credit (2 units)

$810.00


Type Online, Fixed Date

Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.

Dates

Feb 16, 2021 to May 11, 2021

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Instructors

  • Jess Romaine

Section Notes

TEXTBOOK NOTES: Students may also use the regular 9th edition of A Writer's Reference (9781319057442). LaunchPad is recommended, but is not required for this course.

Section Materials

  • Textbook (Mandatory) Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary © 2003 Merriam-Webster, Inc. 11th edition ISBN 0877798095 Textbook ISBN: 9780877798095
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Chicago Manual of Style © 2017 University of Chicago Press 17th edition ISBN 022628705X Textbook ISBN: 978-0226287058
  • Textbook (Mandatory) Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O'Connor © 2019 Riverhead Books 4th edition ISBN 0525533052 Textbook ISBN: 9780525533054
  • Textbook (Mandatory) A Writer's Reference with LaunchPad by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers © 2018 Bedford/St Martin's 9th edition ISBN 1319153801 Textbook ISBN: 9781319153809

Section 110

Feb 23, 2021 to May 18, 2021 Online

Course Fee(s)

Course Fee credit (2 units)

$810.00


Type Online, Fixed Date

Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.

Dates

Feb 23, 2021 to May 18, 2021

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Instructors

  • Ann Neumann

Section Notes

TEXTBOOK NOTES: Students may also use the regular 9th edition of A Writer's Reference (9781319057442). LaunchPad is recommended, but is not required for this course.

Section Materials

  • Textbook (Mandatory) Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary © 2003 Merriam-Webster, Inc. 11th edition ISBN 0877798095 Textbook ISBN: 9780877798095
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Chicago Manual of Style © 2017 University of Chicago Press 17th edition ISBN 022628705X Textbook ISBN: 978-0226287058
  • Textbook (Mandatory) Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O'Connor © 2019 Riverhead Books 4th edition ISBN 0525533052 Textbook ISBN: 9780525533054
  • Textbook (Mandatory) A Writer's Reference with LaunchPad by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers © 2018 Bedford/St Martin's 9th edition ISBN 1319153801 Textbook ISBN: 9781319153809

Section 111

Apr 06, 2021 to Jun 29, 2021 Online

Course Fee(s)

Course Fee credit (2 units)

$810.00


Type Online, Fixed Date

Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.

Dates

Apr 06, 2021 to Jun 29, 2021

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Instructors

  • Jess Romaine

Section Notes

TEXTBOOK NOTES: Students may also use the regular 9th edition of A Writer's Reference (9781319057442). LaunchPad is recommended, but is not required for this course.

Section Materials

  • Textbook (Mandatory) Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary © 2003 Merriam-Webster, Inc. 11th edition ISBN 0877798095 Textbook ISBN: 9780877798095
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Chicago Manual of Style © 2017 University of Chicago Press 17th edition ISBN 022628705X Textbook ISBN: 978-0226287058
  • Textbook (Mandatory) Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O'Connor © 2019 Riverhead Books 4th edition ISBN 0525533052 Textbook ISBN: 9780525533054
  • Textbook (Mandatory) A Writer's Reference with LaunchPad by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers © 2018 Bedford/St Martin's 9th edition ISBN 1319153801 Textbook ISBN: 9781319153809

Section 112

Apr 06, 2021 to Jun 29, 2021 Online

Course Fee(s)

Course Fee credit (2 units)

$810.00


Type Online, Fixed Date

Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.

Dates

Apr 06, 2021 to Jun 29, 2021

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Instructors

  • Ann Neumann

Section Notes

TEXTBOOK NOTES: Students may also use the regular 9th edition of A Writer's Reference (9781319057442). LaunchPad is recommended, but is not required for this course.

Section Materials

  • Textbook (Mandatory) Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary © 2003 Merriam-Webster, Inc. 11th edition ISBN 0877798095 Textbook ISBN: 9780877798095
  • Textbook (Mandatory) The Chicago Manual of Style © 2017 University of Chicago Press 17th edition ISBN 022628705X Textbook ISBN: 978-0226287058
  • Textbook (Mandatory) Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O'Connor © 2019 Riverhead Books 4th edition ISBN 0525533052 Textbook ISBN: 9780525533054
  • Textbook (Mandatory) A Writer's Reference with LaunchPad by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers © 2018 Bedford/St Martin's 9th edition ISBN 1319153801 Textbook ISBN: 9781319153809

This course applies to the following programs:

Interdisciplinary Writing Program

Expand or collapse section

Individualized Study Plan

  • Effective Writing in the Workplace
  • Writing for Social Media: Prose That Works for Web 2.0
  • Grammar, Mechanics and Usage for Editors
  • Journalism Workshop
  • Science Writing
  • Writing the Feature Story
  • Introduction to Public Relations Writing
  • Writing and Editing Internship Program
  • Editorial Workshop I: Introduction to Copyediting
  • Writing Skills Workshop
  • Writing Creative Nonfiction
  • Creative Nonfiction Workshop
  • Developing the Memoir
  • Developing the Memoir II
  • The Craft of Reading
  • The Craft of Writing
  • Exploring Creative Writing
  • Introduction to Writing Fiction
  • Intermediate Fiction Writing
  • Advanced Fiction Writing
  • Developing the Novel
  • Screenwriting: The Art of Visual Storytelling
  • Poetry Workshop
  • Poets Studied and in Conversation
  • American Fiction
  • The English Novel
  • Great Novels You Always Meant to Read
  • Mystery Fiction
  • Shakespeare

Learn More About this Program

Professional Sequence in Editing

Expand or collapse section

Required Courses

  • Grammar, Mechanics and Usage for Editors
  • Editorial Workshop I: Introduction to Copyediting
  • Editorial Workshop II: Intermediate Copyediting
  • Advanced Editorial Workshop

Learn More About this Program

Professional Sequence in Technical Communication

Expand or collapse section

Required Courses

  • Grammar, Mechanics and Usage for Editors
  • Technical Communication I
  • Technical Communication II
  • Technical Communication III: Information Design

Learn More About this Program

Notes

Departmental contact: extension-letters@berkeley.edu | (510) 643-1110

Prerequisites

You must be proficient in English and have a solid grasp of English grammar. You also need Microsoft Word or another word processing program for editing assignments.
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Course Fee

Online

Rita Kasperek

Rita Kasperek, M.F.A., has worked for more than 20 years as a writer and editor for a variety of industries, including high-tech, academia, art and business. A fiction writer, she has led several writing workshops. Kasperek is currently working on a novel.

Course Fee

Elizabeth Asborno

Elizabeth (Liz) Asborno has worked in publishing for more than thirty years as a copyeditor, proofreader, layout artist, graphic designer, typographer, production manager, art director, and print buyer. She copyedits in many genres, including fiction and nonfiction books, scholarly papers, magazine articles, and educational materials. Liz also volunteers with the San Jose Public Library's Partners in Reading program, tutoring adult learners in reading and writing.

Course Fee

Barbara Magalnick

Barbara Magalnick, M.S., is the author of English Reader (McGraw-Hill, 1979) and Safe Conduct (Lipstick, 2005). She has taught English and English as a second language in the United States and abroad. After working as an editor at several major publishing houses, she became a freelancer.

Course Fee

Jess Romaine

Jess Romaine has worked as a freelance copy editor since 2010. She specializes in academic and other nonfiction writing; her clients include graduate students, scholars, book authors, science writers, and nonprofit organizations. She appreciates the opportunity to help authors produce their best writing and to apply that experience to guiding new editors in the intricacies of their craft.

Course Fee

Ann Neumann

Ann Neumann, M.A., J.D., teaches technical writing for engineers at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, as well as forensic report writing for UC Davis—a class she developed for the university’s graduate program. She also teaches courses in business and technical writing for the California Criminalistics Institute, Department of Justice, and many state and county agencies. Neumann often works with engineers and scientists, drafting reports and editing, and is a contract editor with the California State Auditor. Previously, she taught academic writing for the Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento, Calif.

Course Fee

Jess Romaine

Jess Romaine has worked as a freelance copy editor since 2010. She specializes in academic and other nonfiction writing; her clients include graduate students, scholars, book authors, science writers, and nonprofit organizations. She appreciates the opportunity to help authors produce their best writing and to apply that experience to guiding new editors in the intricacies of their craft.

Course Fee

Ann Neumann

Ann Neumann, M.A., J.D., teaches technical writing for engineers at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, as well as forensic report writing for UC Davis—a class she developed for the university’s graduate program. She also teaches courses in business and technical writing for the California Criminalistics Institute, Department of Justice, and many state and county agencies. Neumann often works with engineers and scientists, drafting reports and editing, and is a contract editor with the California State Auditor. Previously, she taught academic writing for the Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento, Calif.

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