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: Editing IMRaD Essays
Editing Tips: Editing IMRaD Essays
Nov 11, 2021
If you do a lot of academic editing or proofreading, chances are you will come across an IMRaD essay. Indeed, you may have worked on several without even knowing it! The term IMRaD stands for Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion, which is a method of structuring essays. It’s worth yourself with this structure because it’s […]
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Proofreading Tips: How to Annotate a PDF
Proofreading Tips: How to Annotate a PDF
Jul 22, 2021
As a freelance proofreader, you may be asked to proofread a PDF at some point. And if you’re used to the tools in Microsoft Word, the process for marking up a different type of document can seem daunting. Once you get the hang of it, though, proofreading a PDF is simple. In this post, we’ll […]
Editing Tips: Fact-Checking Fiction
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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 […]
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He Said, She Said: Tips for Editing Dialogue Tags
Mar 18, 2021
Dialogue tags can help readers keep track of who is speaking in writing. But many authors overuse or misuse dialogue tags. As an editor or proofreader, then, it is worth keeping an eye out for issues when working on a novel or any other writing that features dialogue. In this post, we’ll look at common […]
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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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Editing Tips: Checking Your Sources Online
Oct 04, 2020
As a proofreader, you may need to look up information online, such as reference formats or jargon, when working on a document. And this makes the internet an invaluable resource. But the internet is also full of very dumb things. So, how can you be sure the information you’ve found is trustworthy? And what should […]
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Proofreading Resources: Books on Proofreading and Editing
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
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 […]
