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 Tips: Editing Gendered Language

    Proofreading Tips: Editing Gendered Language

    Jan 24, 2021

    • Editing Tips
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style
    • Vocabulary Tips

    Many companies and individuals now aim to make their writing gender neutral. And, as a proofreader, you may have to help them achieve this. In this post, we’re going to look at some common examples of gendered language you may need to watch out for: The gendered pronoun being used as a neutral or default […]

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    Editing Tips: Typographic Rivers Explained

    Editing Tips: Typographic Rivers Explained

    Jan 17, 2021

    • Formatting
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips

    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

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    Citation Styles: What Is ASA Referencing?

    Jan 10, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    If you proofread academic writing, you may come across a variety of referencing styles. And if you proofread sociology papers in particular, this will likely include ASA referencing. But what is ASA style? And how does it work? In this post, we explain the basics. What Is ASA Referencing? ASA referencing is a citation style […]

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    5 New Year’s Resolutions for Proofreaders

    Dec 31, 2020

    • Lifestyle Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    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

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    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

    • Proofreading Resources
    • Proofreading Tips

    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

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    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

    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    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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    Style Guides for Business Writing

    Style Guides for Business Writing

    Dec 10, 2020

    • Business Editing
    • Proofreading Resources
    • Proofreading Tips

    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

    • Lifestyle Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    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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