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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    Proofreading Checklist: Student Essay

    Proofreading Checklist: Student Essay

    Published May 09, 2021
    Last Updated Jun 03, 2025

    • Academic Writing
    • Proofreading Resources
    • Proofreading Tips

    Academic proofreading can be a great source of work for freelancers. But what should you look for when proofreading a student essay? In this essay proofreading checklist, we set out the issues that often affect essays, from basic typos to errors with citations and formatting. Mechanical Issues in Student Essays No matter the document type, […]

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    Proofreading Tips: Prepositions in Title Case

    Proofreading Tips: Prepositions in Title Case

    Published May 02, 2021
    Last Updated Jun 25, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips

    In title case – a common approach to styling titles and headings – the first letters of the main words in a title are prepositions in titles. Title Case and Prepositions If you want to know more, sign up for a free trial of the course today!

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A Quick Guide to Dates in MHRA Style

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    How to Use the Compare Tool in Google Docs for Proofreading

    Published Apr 25, 2021
    Last Updated Jun 24, 2024

    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    Google Docs includes a tool that lets you compare two documents. And this can be useful for proofreaders, especially if you forget to use the Suggest Edits function when working on a document. In this blog post, then, we’ll first set out how to use the compare tool in Google Docs, then we’ll look at […]

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    Editing Tips: What Is Alphabet Soup?

    Published Apr 18, 2021
    Last Updated Jun 26, 2024

    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    A dedicated proofreader will have an appetite for all kinds of text. But if there’s one literary meal that no editor or proofreader likes to see, it’s alphabet soup. What is alphabet soup in a writing context, though? And why is it a problem? In this post, we explain the basics and what to do […]

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    Editing Tips: Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism

    Published Apr 15, 2021
    Last Updated May 16, 2023

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    As a proofreader, you may come across the terms prescriptivism and descriptivism. Each refers to a way of thinking about language. But what are the differences? In short: Prescriptivism takes language to be governed by formal rules. usage depends on following these rules. Descriptivism focuses on observing how language is used rather than imposing rules. […]

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    Editing Tips: A Rough Guide to English Dialects

    Published Apr 11, 2021
    Last Updated May 16, 2023

    • Dialects
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    English has a lot of dialects! Our Becoming a Proofreader course covers British, Australian, and American English. These are the three main dialects used internationally, but there are many other English dialects you might encounter as a proofreader. In this post, we look at a few examples. Dialects and Proofreading Why are dialects relevant to […]

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    Proofreading Tips: What Is Oxford Spelling?

    Published Apr 08, 2021
    Last Updated Jun 26, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Dialects
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling

    As a proofreader, you might come across the term Oxford spelling. But what does this mean? And how should you approach a document if your client specifies using it? In this post, we explain everything you need to know to proofread documents effectively. If you’re not sure which spelling to use for a term, check […]

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    A Proofreader's Introduction to IEEE Style

    Published Mar 25, 2021
    Last Updated Jun 26, 2024

    • Academic Writing
    • 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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    A Quick Guide to Stephanus Numbers

    A Quick Guide to Stephanus Numbers

    Published Mar 14, 2021
    Last Updated Nov 26, 2024

    • Academic Writing
    • 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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  • Proofreading and Editing Tips: A Proofreader’s Guide to Latin Plural Word Endings

    A Proofreader’s Guide to Latin Plural Word Endings

    A Proofreader’s Guide to Latin Plural Word Endings

    Published Mar 07, 2021
    Last Updated Nov 26, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling
    • Vocabulary Tips

    From abacus to virus, lots of English nouns have origins in Latin. These words can pose a challenge for proofreaders, though, as many have two plural forms. Here, we’ll look at: Some common Latin plural word endings. The difference between traditional and English Latin plurals. The exceptions to the rules. Common Latin Plural Word Endings […]

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