Style

In these posts, we look at how proofreaders and editors should approach different writing styles and document types. Let us know if there are any style issues you'd like us to cover on the blog.

  • Proofreading Tips: Titles of Other Works in APA Style

    Proofreading Tips: Titles of Other Works in APA Style

    Jun 20, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    The APA Publication Manual is widely used in academic writing, especially in the social and sciences. If you’re proofreading this type of writing, you need to know how to format titles of other works in APA style. Here, then, we’ll offer some advice for proofreaders on the following: Where APA style suggests using title case […]

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  • A Proofreader’s Guide to Dates in AP Style

    A Proofreader’s Guide to Dates in AP Style

    Jun 13, 2021

    • Business Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    The Associated Press Stylebook is the go-to style guide for many writers, news outlets, and businesses. And if your clients use AP style, you’ll need to know how it works. With that in mind, here we’ll look at what proofreaders should know about dates in AP style, including: The basic date format (and when you […]

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  • A Quick Guide to Dates in MHRA Style

    Apr 29, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    The Modern Humanities Research Association’s style guide (or MHRA style) is frequently used in the arts and humanities, particularly in the UK. We have covered referencing in MHRA style before, but here we’re going to look at how to present dates in MHRA style. Read on below to find out what to look for when […]

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  • A Proofreader's Introduction to IEEE Style

    Mar 25, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    The IEEE Editorial Style Manual for Authors provides advice for anyone writing for an IEEE journal or publication. However, many technical writers and educational institutions also use IEEE style, so it is worth knowing the basics if you proofread technical writing. Here, we look at some key aspects of IEEE style that proofreaders should know. […]

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  • He Said, She Said: Tips for Editing Dialogue Tags

    Mar 18, 2021

    • Creative Writing
    • Editing Tips
    • Style

    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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  • Academic Proofreading: A Quick Guide to Stephanus Numbers

    Mar 14, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    Plato is such an important part of Western philosophy that he has his own citation system: Stephanus numbers. But what do you need to know about Stephanus numbering as an academic proofreader? In this post, we’ll explain how these numbers work. What Are Stephanus Numbers? As well as being the man who gave us love, […]

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  • A Quick Guide to Dates and Times in MLA Style

    Feb 28, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    Among many other things, the MLA Handbook (8th edition) has advice on writing dates and times. But what do you need to know about dates and times to proofread academic writing? In this post, we’ll explain the basics of dates and times in MLA style. Dates in the Main Text If an author uses a […]

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  • Editing Tips: Scene Breaks in Books and Manuscripts

    Feb 21, 2021

    • Creative Writing
    • Editing Tips
    • Formatting
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    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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  • Academic Proofreading: A Quick Guide to Bekker Numbers

    Academic Proofreading: A Quick Guide to Bekker Numbers

    Feb 14, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    Aristotle is one of the most important thinkers in the history of Western philosophy. Thus, if you proofread academic work, you may encounter Bekker numbers at some point. But what is Bekker pagination? And what do you need to know about it as a proofreader? Let’s take a look. What Are Bekker Numbers? Aristotle – […]

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  • When to Use Italics for Non-English Words

    When to Use Italics for Non-English Words

    Feb 11, 2021

    • Common Errors
    • Formatting
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    In English-language writing, words from other languages are often presented in italics. As a proofreader, you may therefore need to check that such words are presented correctly. Becoming A Proofreader The Becoming A Proofreader course covers everything you need to know to start working as a freelance proofreader! Sign up for a free trial today […]

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