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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Editing Tips: Typographic Rivers Explained
Editing Tips: Typographic Rivers Explained
Jan 17, 2021
When proofreading a typeset text, such as page proofs for a book, you may need to keep an eye out for rivers. No, we don’t mean bodies of water. We mean gaps in the text. To find out what rivers are and what to do with them, check out our guide below. Rivers in Text […]
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5 Errors New Proofreaders Often Miss
5 Errors New Proofreaders Often Miss
Jan 14, 2021
Proofreaders need to be careful not to overlook mistakes in text while they work. Here, for instance, we’re going to look at five errors that new proofreaders often miss in documents: Mix-ups involving unfamiliar homophones. Multiple independent clauses combined in a comma splice. Inconsistencies in a document that don’t involve explicit errors. Misplaced or missing […]
Citation Styles: What Is ASA Referencing?
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5 New Year’s Resolutions for Proofreaders
Dec 31, 2020
The new year is just around the corner and that means one thing: it’s time to make New Year’s resolutions! But what exactly can a freelance proofreader resolve to do? We have a few suggestions for New Year’s resolutions proofreaders and editors might want to try. 1. Improve Your Time Management Freelancers are usually in […]
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Microsoft Word Tips: Track Changes vs. Compare
Dec 27, 2020
When proofreading a document in Microsoft Word, you have two main methods available for recording the edits you make. These are: Using Track Changes to record edits as you make them. Editing the document and then using Compare to highlight the changes. We cover both methods in detail in the Becoming A Proofreader course. Here, […]
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The Fourth Wise Man (a Christmas Proofreading Story)
Dec 24, 2020
We all know the story of the Three Wise Men who came bearing gifts at the birth of Jesus. But did you know that a fourth wise man was left out of the nativity story? This Christmas, we will finally tell the untold part of this tale: the story of Barry the proofreader. Three Kings […]
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Editing Tips: When Are Sentence Fragments Okay?
Dec 20, 2020
Strictly speaking, sentence fragments – incomplete sentences that don’t express a complete thought – are ungrammatical. And, as a proofreader, you would usually correct ungrammatical text in a document. But is a sentence fragment always an error? The short answer is Many writers use sentence fragments deliberately, especially in creative writing and commercial copy. In […]
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Editing Tips: What to Do with Biased Language
Dec 17, 2020
When editing a document, you might notice language that some might find offensive. But what should you do about biased language as a proofreader? In this post, we offer a few tips about what to look out for and how to handle biased language if you encounter it. What Counts as Biased Language? As with […]
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Proofreading Resources: Style Guides for Business Writing
Dec 10, 2020
Style guides are vital resources for proofreaders and editors. But the best style guide to use may depend on the type of writing at hand. So, which style guides are best for business writing? Here, we’re going to look at some examples, including: The Associated Press Stylebook The Chicago Manual of Style The Business Style […]
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5 Perfect Presents for Proofreaders
5 Perfect Presents for Proofreaders
Dec 06, 2020
It’s that time of year again! And to help you with your Christmas shopping this festive season, we’ve compiled a list of perfect presents for the proofreaders in your life. 1. Technological Treats Proofreading can be hard work. And if you know a proofreader who is struggling with stress, why not get them a technological […]
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5 Tips for Proofreading Different English Dialects
5 Tips for Proofreading Different English Dialects
Nov 29, 2020
One benefit of freelance proofreading is that you can work with clients all around the world. But this may mean you encounter English dialects that differ from the one you know best. And while this can pose challenges for proofreaders, we have a few tips that can help: Set the language preferences in your word […]