Services

A guide to proofreading and editing services

Proofreading

Whatever you’re writing, you want to be sure that your text is clear, concise and error free. My role is to help you achieve this by thoroughly checking your document for errors that may easily go unnoticed.

Checking your own text for errors can be unreliable as you may only read what you think is there rather than what is really there on the page. This is because writers can become so engrossed in and familiar with their work that it is easy to skip over the odd missing full stop or small spelling error.

Proofreading is the final check that is carried out on a text before it goes to print. It involves looking for and correcting:

• misspellings/incorrect word choice
• grammatical errors
• incorrect or missing punctuation
• inconsistencies (typographical and stylistic)
• issues with spacing, layout and formatting.

As part of the checking process, I will also highlight anything which does not appear to make sense, such as a date which seems odd, or something else out of place.

If there appear to be many inconsistencies in a text (e.g. in hyphenation, use of bold/italic, numbers as words or numerals, etc.), I can create an agreed style guide and ensure that it is applied throughout.

Proofreading is beneficial as it can help to ensure that your writing appears professional and authoritative. It shows you care about how your literature reflects on you as an author or business. Correcting inconsistencies helps to prevent confusion for the reader and ensures trust in your writing, so you will come across as knowledgeable and credible. Dealing with layout issues will ensure your text has an appealing appearance and is clear and easy to read.

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Annotating the text

I can mark-up changes to your text in the following ways:

• For Adobe PDFs I can use commenting tools to make amendments.
• For MS Word documents I can use the Track Changes facility to show any amendments and comments.
• Or, if required, I can also proofread documents on paper or on screen using the BSI proofreading symbols.

I can proofread manuscripts either blind or against copy.

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Proof-editing

If your text or document has had little or no previous editing, then it may be necessary to carry out a proof-edit. This is a combination of proofreading and light copy-editing carried out at the same time and involves more in-depth work. In addition to the checks involved in proofreading, proof-editing may also include the following:

• suggesting alternative wording (where there is a better fit)
• minor amendments at phrase/sentence/paragraph level
• making or suggesting changes to avoid repetition.

Amending words, or suggesting alternative words can improve readability, enhance the clarity of your writing, and strengthen the connection with your reader. Making minor adjustments to sentences or paragraphs can improve the flow of your writing and help develop a style more appropriate to your readership. Varying the vocabulary and type of sentences used keeps the reader interested and avoids them switching off.

If you are not sure whether your text needs the proofreading or proof-editing service, you can forward a copy to me and I will advise you on what is required.

Need to know more?

Contact me to find out more about my proofreading or proof-editing services whether you are a publisher, author, business or organisation.