Proofreading Tips
Whether you’re just getting started or are an experienced proofreader, there’s always something new to learn. That’s where our blogs come in! We've got expert advice on spelling, grammar, punctuation, referencing, proofreading different types of writing (from creative to business and academic), and much more!
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When Can You Use the First Person in Academic Writing?
When Can You Use the First Person in Academic Writing?
Published Dec 05, 2021
Last Updated Aug 13, 2024Many students are taught not to use the first person in academic writing. But is it always the case that you shouldn’t? And when should a proofreader change or comment on the point of view in scholarly work? In this post, we’ll explain the basics, including: For more advice on all of the above, read […]
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Noun and Verb Spelling Differences
Noun and Verb Spelling Differences
Published Nov 25, 2021
Last Updated Jan 08, 2025Correcting spelling mistakes is key for any proofreader. But certain errors are easy to miss! This is especially true when it comes to noun and verb spelling differences, partly because they often vary by dialect. In this post, we’ll be taking a look at three cases where the noun and verb forms of a word […]
Can You Start a Sentence with a Conjunction?
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5 Tips for Proofreading Large Documents
Published Nov 18, 2021
Last Updated Nov 20, 2024When it comes to proofreading documents with high word counts, is the name of the game. The extended periods of concentration and stiff deadlines associated with big documents can put proofreaders under pressure. However, effective planning will help you deliver quality work. When proofreading large documents, we recommend that you: Get familiar with the document […]
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Editing Tips: Editing IMRaD Essays
Published Nov 11, 2021
Last Updated May 16, 2023If 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: Parentheses and Square Brackets in Chicago Style
Published Nov 07, 2021
Last Updated May 16, 2023Parentheses and square brackets are punctuation marks used to set off certain bits of information from the main text in a document. They’re not too tricky, but different style guides can have slightly different rules for their usage. And, as a proofreader, you’ll need to check your client’s writing against these rules. This post, then, […]
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Dos and Don'ts for Proofreading Academic Writing
Published Nov 04, 2021
Last Updated Mar 19, 2026Academic writing is a common source of work for many freelance proofreaders. However, there are some specific rules and requirements for proofreading academic documents, setting it apart from other types of proofreading. With this in mind, we’ve put together 10 essential dos and don’ts for proofreading academic writing: You can also download our academic proofreading […]
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Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Scare Quotes
Published Oct 31, 2021
Last Updated May 16, 2023As a proofreader, what scares you the most? If scare quotes are the spookiest things you can think of, don’t worry. It might be Halloween, but there’s no reason to fear them! As long as you know what they are and when it’s appropriate to use them, you’ll know exactly what to do when they […]
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A Proofreader’s Guide to Straight and Curly Quotes
Published Oct 28, 2021
Last Updated Feb 20, 2026Quotation marks may seem simple at first glance, but eagle-eyed proofreaders will know there’s more than one type to watch out for. In fact, quotation marks come in two distinct styles: straight and curly (or “smart”). In this post, we’ll explain: Let’s take a closer look. What’s the Difference Between Straight and Curly Quotes? The […]
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Proofreading Tips: How to Proofread Quotations
Proofreading Tips: How to Proofread Quotations
Published Oct 23, 2021
Last Updated Jun 20, 2024Academic writing accounts for a significant portion of many freelance proofreaders’ work. And, along with some other non-fiction, academic writing often relies heavily on quotations. It is thus important to know how to proofread quotations. In this post, we give an overview of things to consider when proofreading quotations in academic or other non-fiction writing. […]
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Proofreading Tips: Numbers in AP Style
Proofreading Tips: Numbers in AP Style
Published Oct 17, 2021
Last Updated Mar 10, 2025Created by journalists to help public-facing writing in 1953, The AP Stylebook is still one of the most commonly used American English style guides around. As a proofreader, you’ll often need to check the formatting of numbers when working with a client who writes in AP style. This post will take you through how to […]