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!
-
Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Proofreaders
Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Proofreaders
Published Sep 25, 2021
Last Updated Feb 29, 2024If you’re a freelance proofreader, you’ll likely spend a lot of time using a laptop or computer. And knowing some keyboard shortcuts can make your life much easier when proofreading a document. Plus, the faster you can proofread, the more you can earn! In this post, we’ll take you through a few useful keyboard shortcuts, […]
-
Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Comma Splices
Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Comma Splices
Published Sep 23, 2021
Last Updated Nov 12, 2024A good proofreader will know how to spot and correct common punctuation errors. One of the most common of these is the comma splice. But what exactly are comma splices, and how can you fix them? Read on to find out more. What Are Comma Splices? A comma splice is what happens when two independent […]
Proofreading Tips: How to Fix Ghost Formatting in MS Word
-
How to Annotate a PDF in Adobe Acrobat
Published Jul 22, 2021
Last Updated Jan 08, 2026As a freelance proofreader, you’ll likely be asked to proofread a PDF at some point. If you’re used to working in Microsoft Word, switching to a different format can feel daunting. Fortunately, with a bit of practice, proofreading a PDF becomes straightforward. In this post, we’ll show you how to annotate a PDF using Adobe […]
-
Dos and Don'ts for New Proofreaders
Published Jul 18, 2021
Last Updated Nov 20, 2024You’ve brushed up on your grammar, read the dictionary cover to cover, and you want to become a proofreader. Good start! But while good grammar and spelling is essential, sometimes it’s small mistakes that trip up new proofreaders. To help you avoid common mistakes, we’ve compiled our top five dos and don’ts for new proofreaders: […]
-
A Guide to Referencing and Religious Texts
Published Jul 17, 2021
Last Updated Dec 06, 2024Religious texts, whether published as books or accessed online, often play by different rules when it comes to referencing. So, as a proofreader, you’ll need to pay particular attention to referencing if your client is citing the Bible, the Quran, or any other sacred text. Here, we set out the rules for citing religious texts […]
-
Proofreading Tips: Abbreviations in AP Style
Published Jul 11, 2021
Last Updated Aug 01, 2023AP style is commonly used by journalists, marketers, and PR specialists, whose writing often includes abbreviations. So, if you’re proofreading a document that uses AP style, you’ll need to know how abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms should be presented. With that in mind, then, this guide covers how abbreviations should be used in AP style. Becoming […]
-
Editing Tips: What to Do with Variant Spellings
Published Jul 08, 2021
Last Updated Jun 20, 2024If you want to pursue a career in proofreading, sooner or later you will encounter words that have variant spellings . In this post, then, we’re going to look at some common types of variant spellings and how to proofread them. Becoming A Proofreader If you would like to brush up on the basics of […]
-
Editing Tips: Fact-Checking Fiction
Published Jul 03, 2021
Last Updated Nov 21, 2024Fiction 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 […]
-
Proofreading Tips: Punctuation in MHRA Style
Proofreading Tips: Punctuation in MHRA Style
Published Jul 01, 2021
Last Updated Jun 26, 2024The MHRA Style Guide is often used in the humanities, especially in the UK. But what does a proofreader need to know when working on a document that follows this style? In this post, we will look at the rules for punctuation in MHRA style, including: General guidelines about the overall punctuation conventions in MHRA […]
-
Proofreading Checklist: Thesis or Dissertation
Proofreading Checklist: Thesis or Dissertation
Published Jun 27, 2021
Last Updated Nov 28, 2024Whether at master’s or PhD level, theses and dissertations are complex documents. This can make them difficult to proofread. With that in mind, though, we’ve prepared this handy proofreading checklist you can use when working on a thesis or dissertation. Parts of a Thesis or Dissertation Theses and dissertations typically comprise several parts, including: A […]