Editing Tips
From complete beginners to experienced editors, our blog has something for everyone! Learn about the different types of editing – developmental, comprehensive, line, and copy editing – and read our expert advice on editing all different types of documents (including business, creative, and academic).
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Editing Tips: Fact-Checking Fiction
Editing Tips: Fact-Checking Fiction
Jul 03, 2021
Fiction is all about the suspension of disbelief, and factual errors can be distracting. Thus, when editing or proofreading a novel, you might need to raise issues of factual accuracy for your client, especially when a work of fiction is set in the real world. In this post, then, we set out some tips on […]
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How to Create a Custom Shortcut in Microsoft Word
How to Create a Custom Shortcut in Microsoft Word
May 27, 2021
The keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word can be useful when proofreading, giving you quick access to common commands. But what about when a command you need doesn’t have a shortcut? The solution is to create a custom keyboard shortcut or two. For example, rather than switching between All Markup and Simple Markup via the ribbon […]
He Said, She Said: Tips for Editing Dialogue Tags
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Scene Breaks in Books and Manuscripts
Feb 21, 2021
When a book is divided into sections, each chapter will typically start on a new page. But what about scene changes within a chapter? How do writers and publishers indicate a shift of perspective, time, or location? And what do you need to know about this as a proofreader? In this post, we take a […]
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Proofreading Tips: Editing Gendered Language
Jan 24, 2021
Many companies and individuals now aim to make their writing gender neutral. And, as a proofreader, you may have to help them achieve this. In this post, we’re going to look at some common examples of gendered language you may need to watch out for: The gendered pronoun being used as a neutral or default […]
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Microsoft Word Tips: Track Changes vs. Compare
Dec 27, 2020
When proofreading a document in Microsoft Word, you have two main methods available for recording the edits you make. These are: Using Track Changes to record edits as you make them. Editing the document and then using Compare to highlight the changes. We cover both methods in detail in the Becoming A Proofreader course. Here, […]
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Proofreading Resources: Books on Proofreading and Editing
Sep 10, 2020
Becoming an outstanding proofreader and editor takes work and training, but you knew that already. Reading books on proofreading and editing is a handy way to further refine your craft. Here are some great choices to add to your list of essential resources. Grammar and Punctuation Guides Grammar and punctuation guides look at how the […]
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How to Use Track Changes in Microsoft Word
Aug 23, 2020
Track Changes is a key tool for proofreading in Microsoft Word. And if you want to work as a proofreader, you’ll need to know how it works. In this post, then, we’re going to run you through the basics of how to use Track Changes when editing a document in Microsoft Word. What Is Track […]
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Understanding the Proofing Options in Microsoft Word
Jun 25, 2020
The spellchecker in Microsoft Word cannot replace expert proofreading, but it can be a useful tool for proofreaders. We look at this in our Becoming A Proofreader course. However, to make the most of this tool, you need to understand the proofing options in Microsoft Word. How to Access the Proofing Options in Microsoft Word […]
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Proofreading and Diacritics in English
Proofreading and Diacritics in English
Apr 19, 2020
Diacritics – sometimes known as accents – are used in writing to tell us how to pronounce a word. But do we really use diacritics in English? Do you need to worry about diacritic marks when proofreading? And, if so, how do you add them in Microsoft Word? Let us explain! How Do Diacritics Work […]
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An Editing and Proofreading Glossary
An Editing and Proofreading Glossary
Apr 09, 2020
If you want to become a proofreader, it helps to know the lingo. And as with any industry, editing and proofreading has its own terminology. Check out the glossary below to learn a few key terms that you would need to know to become a proofreader or editor. Copy Editing Copy editing typically involves refining […]
