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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How to Create a Custom Shortcut in Microsoft Word
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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Punctuation in Other Languages (And Why It Matters for Proofreaders)
Punctuation in Other Languages (And Why It Matters for Proofreaders)
May 20, 2021
Proofreaders are (or should be!) familiar with how common punctuation marks are used in English. But punctuation marks and conventions differ between languages. As a result, when working with ESL clients, you might spot some unusual punctuation in a document. If you do see non-English punctuation in a document, you will need to correct it […]
Editing Tips: Does a Comma Indicate a Pause?
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Proofreading Checklist: Student Essay
May 09, 2021
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 No matter the document type, a proofreader can […]
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Proofreading Tips: Prepositions in Title Case
May 02, 2021
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
Apr 29, 2021
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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How to Use the Compare Tool in Google Docs for Proofreading
Apr 25, 2021
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?
Apr 18, 2021
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
Apr 15, 2021
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
Editing Tips: A Rough Guide to English Dialects
Apr 11, 2021
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?
Proofreading Tips: What Is Oxford Spelling?
Apr 08, 2021
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 […]