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: Punctuation in AP Style
Editing Tips: Punctuation in AP Style
Published Jun 07, 2020
Last Updated Jul 23, 2025AP style – as set out in The Associated Press Stylebook – provides advice on many elements of writing, including punctuation. But what do you need to know about punctuation in AP style to work as a freelance proofreader? In this post, we set out a few of the basics. AP Style on Periods and Abbreviations […]
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Editing Tips: A Quick Guide to Formal Writing
Editing Tips: A Quick Guide to Formal Writing
Published May 31, 2020
Last Updated Aug 07, 2023One key stylistic distinction for proofreading is between informal and formal writing. But what is formal writing? What makes it formal? And when should a document use a formal style? In this post, we look at what you need to know to work on formal documents. What Are the Key Stylistic Features of Formal Writing? […]
A Quick Guide to DOIs and URLs
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Writing the Time: AM and PM or a.m. and p.m.?
Published May 14, 2020
Last Updated Jun 20, 2024AM and PM are terms used when writing times. However, there are a few different ways to write them, which can be tricky when proofreading. Should you just aim for consistency? Or is there a correct way to do it in certain contexts? In this post, we explore: What the terms AM and PM mean. […]
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An Introduction to the AP Stylebook
Published Apr 23, 2020
Last Updated May 16, 2023The AP Stylebook is the go-to style guide for anyone working in journalism. But why is this guide so popular? And what do you need to know about it as a proofreader? Let’s take a look. What Is The Associated Press Stylebook? The Associated Press Stylebook is created by the Associated Press (AP), a major […]
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Proofreading and Diacritics in English
Published Apr 19, 2020
Last Updated Feb 29, 2024Diacritics – sometimes known as accents – are used in writing to tell us how to pronounce a word. But do we really use diacritics in English? Do you need to worry about diacritic marks when proofreading? And, if so, how do you add them in Microsoft Word? Let us explain! How Do Diacritics Work […]
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What to Do with the Singular They
Published Apr 05, 2020
Last Updated May 16, 2023Becoming A Proofreader Are you interested in becoming a freelance proofreader, but not sure where to begin? Our comprehensive Becoming A Proofreader course is a great place to start! Sign up for a free trial and try it out today.
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Freelance Proofreading Tips: The Client’s Brief
Published Mar 19, 2020
Last Updated Apr 21, 2025As a freelance proofreader and editor, your work may range from making major changes to a document to fixing typos and other minor errors. And this variability is why you need to agree on a clear brief with each client. But what is a brief? And what might it cover? Understanding the Client’s Brief In […]
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Style Guides for Proofreading and Editing
Published Feb 10, 2020
Last Updated May 27, 2025Style guides are crucial for proofreading and editing. As a freelancer, you may come to depend on them quite heavily! After all, a good style guide will tell you everything you need to know to edit a document, from spelling preferences to favored citation style. But which style guides do you need? And where can […]
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Copy Editing vs. Proofreading: What You Need to Know
Copy Editing vs. Proofreading: What You Need to Know
Published Feb 06, 2020
Last Updated Mar 25, 2025Copy editing and proofreading are both types of editing that take place toward the end of the writing process to get a text ready for publication. But while these terms are often used interchangeably, they aren’t quite the same thing. To make matters even more confusing, many freelance editors offer a blend of both services. […]
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Should You Edit Citations and References?
Should You Edit Citations and References?
Published Jan 27, 2020
Last Updated Jun 02, 2025You need to know your referencing systems if you’re proofreading academic documents. Knowadays covers several major referencing styles to this end, but we’re often asked how far an editor should go with citations. The answer is But that isn’t a very helpful answer, so we’ll look more at how to edit references and citations below. […]