Students

EDIT8081 – Language, Writing and Editing

2025 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Co-convenor
Liz Shoostovian
Co-convenor
Adam Smith
Agnes Bodis
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertEditElecPub or MCrWrit or GradDipCrWrit or MAccComm or MEd
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

 In this unit, you will examine language in use, with a focus on varying standards in grammar, usage, and punctuation, as well as linguistic approaches to writing style, discourse development, and readability. You will analyse the features of a range of text types, both spoken and written, including those emerging in digital environments. The unit explores communicative approaches to writing, such as using plain English to convey complex information clearly, and crafting promotional texts for advertising purposes. You will also engage with specialised modules on editing Aboriginal English and on academic writing and editing, with particular attention to theses and journal articles.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Analyse a range of grammatical categories and evaluate their effectiveness in shaping meaning across diverse text types.
  • ULO2: Critically assess alternative linguistic styles and modes of communication.
  • ULO3: Evaluate the readability of manuscripts and justify editorial strategies to enhance clarity, coherence, and accessibility.
  • ULO4: Identify the communicative needs of specific audiences and apply advanced language choices to meet those needs effectively.

General Assessment Information

How to apply for a late submission of an assignment

All requests for special consideration, including extensions, must be submitted via ask.mq.edu.au and provide suitable supporting documentation

Requesting an extension to assignment due date

On occasion, you may be in a situation when you aren't able to submit an assessment task on time. Extensions are only given in special circumstances, by completing a Special Consideration request. For more information on Special Consideration, see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

Late submission of assignments If you haven't been approved for an extension and you submit your assessment task late, penalties are applied. You should consult your unit convenor if you are in this position. Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, without an approved extension, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. Weekends and public holidays are included.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online discussion on readability 30% No 07/09/2025
Exercise on punctuation 30% No 06/10/2025
Exercise on promotional writing/scholarly editing 40% No 16/11/2025

Online discussion on readability

Assessment Type 1: Debate
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 07/09/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

You will identify linguistic features that affect the readability of written texts, such as nominalisation and lexical density. You will then apply advanced editorial strategies to improve readability for a defined audience.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse a range of grammatical categories and evaluate their effectiveness in shaping meaning across diverse text types.
  • Critically assess alternative linguistic styles and modes of communication.
  • Identify the communicative needs of specific audiences and apply advanced language choices to meet those needs effectively.

Exercise on punctuation

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 06/10/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

You will apply punctuation conventions to a range of texts and analyse how punctuation choices influence meaning, tone, and readability across different text types.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically assess alternative linguistic styles and modes of communication.
  • Evaluate the readability of manuscripts and justify editorial strategies to enhance clarity, coherence, and accessibility.

Exercise on promotional writing/scholarly editing

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 16/11/2025
Weighting: 40%

 

You will have the choice of a) creating and justifying promotional material for publications designed for different audience types, or b) curating and justifying the selection of material to be included in the special issue of an academic journal.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse a range of grammatical categories and evaluate their effectiveness in shaping meaning across diverse text types.
  • Critically assess alternative linguistic styles and modes of communication.
  • Evaluate the readability of manuscripts and justify editorial strategies to enhance clarity, coherence, and accessibility.
  • Identify the communicative needs of specific audiences and apply advanced language choices to meet those needs effectively.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

This unit is delivered entirely online. Online lectures are available as audio recordings with supporting slides. Weekly tasks will also be given online, and readings are made available via the Leganto reading list.

Unit Schedule

Week 1 (28.7)

Grammar in the context of editing

Week 2 (4.8)

Sentence patterns: clauses and phrases                     

Week 3 (11.8)

Nominal and verbal style

Week 4 (18.8)

Readability and lexical density 

Week 5 (25.8)

Cohesion and coherence in writing

Week 6 (1.9)

Information delivery: topic and topical progression

Week 7 (8.9)

The punctuation system and its functions 

Week 8 (15.9)

Writing, speech,  and the language of the internet

Semester Break 

Week 9 (7.10)

Editing Indigenous texts  

Week 10 (13.10)

Persuasive and promotional writing

Week 11 (20.10)

Editing theses and dissertations 

Week 12 (27.10)

Editing scholarly articles  

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.  

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.  

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session. 

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know. 


Unit information based on version 2025.02 of the Handbook