Pro Pointers for Perfect Proofreading

PRO POINTERS FOR PERFECT PROOFREADINGCarrie O’Connor

&

Abbie Amadio

GRAMMAR GAMESTHREE MISTAKES: WHERE ARE THEY? We need to thank the company for it’s

accomodations during this very difficult period in our History.

Correction: We need to thank the company for its accommodations during this very difficult period in our history.

THREE MISTAKES: WHERE ARE THEY?

The woman protesting the company’s policies have asked that they open their records to the public.

Correction: The woman protesting the company’s policies has asked that it open its records to the public.


How are the French fries that the chefs son prepared in the University’s new kitchen?

Correction: How are the french fries that the chef’s son prepared in the university’s new kitchen?

TIMELINE OF A MANUSCRIPT

•Author

Original MS•E

ditor/Copy Editor

Revised MS 1

•Editor/Copy Editor/Editorial Assistant

Revised MS 2

•Editor/Copy Editor/Editorial Assistant

…

•Author/Proofreader

Proof

•Proofreader/Editorial Assistant

Revised Proof

•Published!

Final MS

LEVELS OF COPYEDITING

Heavy The document is in its first- or second-draft

stage and requires a significant amount of editing work, with possible rewriting and reorganization. Suggesting new vocabulary to strengthen your work Inserting or deleting language for strength and/or

consistency Rewriting confusing language or passages Reorganizing your project for clarity Discussing and correcting confusing syntax with the

author Renumbering and/or relettering references, in-text lists,

and/or front and back matter, if applicable Extensively correcting grammar, spelling, and

punctuation

LEVELS OF COPYEDITING

LightLight editing is more intensive than

proofreading Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax

for accuracy as well as for readability, as applicable Check your document for clarity and consistency,

including special focus on hyphenation, capitalization, list and reference styles, headers and footers, cross-references, tables, captions, and headings

Suggest new copy for clarity of your work

SO YOU WANT TO BE A PROOFREADER?

Reads clean manuscript (or proof or galley) against edited manuscript

Checks that all typesetter, copy editor, editor, and/or author corrections have been made to the clean copy

Checks for errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar; word breaks; typeface and font; cross-references and references; page numbers and running heads; placement of illustrations and tables; overall document appearance; inconsistencies in style and format; numerical or alphabetical orders

DO PROOFREADERS MAKE ANY MONEY?

Milwaukee Proofreader: $29,000 to $51,000 According to Simply Hired, the average salary for

a corporate copy editor is $43,000 Salaries vary for newspapers because they are

unionized National

Proofreader: $29,000 to $41,000 Technical Copy Editor: $36,000 to $52,000 Medical Copy Editor: $29,000 to $44,000 Newspaper Copy Editor: $41,000 (average)

FREELANCE RATES

STYLE GUIDES

The Chicago Manual of Style The Associated Press Stylebook Corporate Special (academic journals and publications

within specialized fields [American Institute of Physics, American Medical Association, American Physiological Association, etc.])

Create your own style sheet for consistency across publications (useful in corporate or nonprofit environments with no established style guide)

THE LANGUAGE OF PROOFREADING

From the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN PROOFING COPY

Reading against your revised copy Spelling and usage (principal vs. principle;

comprise vs. compose) Word breaks Typeface and font Page numbering and running heads Illustrations, tables, and references Overall appearance Sense

SOME PROOFING TIPS TO POLISH YOUR PROSE

Put your document in standardized publishing format 12-point Times New Roman font; one-inch margins;

double-spaced; left justified Create an individualized style sheet

Capitalization (creative or otherwise) Spelling (character names, places, events, etc.) Punctuation (consistency and correctness)

Fact check (highlight information, dialogue, names, titles throughout your document)

Global searches and revisions Take breaks; go back and read your work Consistency, consistency, consistency

HELPFUL LINKS

American Copy Editors Society http://www.copydesk.org/

Editorial Freelancers Association http://www.the-efa.org/

AP (Associated Press) Stylebook http://www.apstylebook.com/

The Chicago Manual of Style http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html

Merriam-Webster Online http://www.merriam-webster.com/

DOW JONES GRAMMAR TESTS AND COPY EDITING EXERCISESHTTP://WWW.NEWSROOM101.COM/NEWSROOM101/


After a year-long investigation, police are ready to close the case about the woman whom layed her infant daughter on the church stairs and left her.

Correction: After a yearlong investigation, police are ready to close the case about the woman who laid her infant daughter on the church stairs and left her.


We absolutely adore the girl who lives on 123 South Woodlawn Rd during the Winter.

Correction: We absolutely adore the girl who lives on 123 S. Woodlawn Road during the winter.

Career

Pro Pointers for Perfect Proofreading