Whether you’re a student, a mechanic, a doctor, or a professional writer, you’ve probably come across proofreading in some form or another - though you might not be aware of it. So much of the work people do these days revolves around the written word. Mistakes in their writing can have a massive impact on their success - which is where proofreading comes in.
What is proofreading?
Proofreading is the act of reading written work and marking any errors. These mistakes most commonly involve spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency.
In publishing, proofreading comes into play at the very end of the editorial process, after a manuscript has been corrected by a copy or line editor. The proofreader’s job is to comb through the document and look for any mistakes that may have slipped through the cracks. Regardless of how meticulous the writer and editor have been, there will almost always be errors when you’re dealing with a book of 80,000 words or more.
What is a proof?
The ‘proof’ in ‘proofreader’ comes from the publishing term describing an early printed copy. Traditionally, typesetters would arrange letters tiles onto large plates. These plates would then be used to print pages of a book. But before they would start churning out thousands of copies, a ‘proof’ version would be sent to the publisher — who would then read it, looking for mistakes.
With modern digital publishing (and computerized printing methods), proofreading is now usually done on a computer — though some proofreaders still prefer marking up physical copies.
Why is proofreading important?
Earlier in 2019, one of the most popular shows in television history, Game of Thrones, came to an end. It was a highly anticipated TV event, and both the series’ most devoted and casual fans alike were ready to devour every moment.
So it’s no surprise that when a Starbucks cup made an accidental cameo during one of the episodes, viewers jumped on social media within seconds to point out the gaff. The show’s producers were just as fast to act, and 48 hours later the disposable cup had been edited out of the show.
In a show like Friends, for instance, such a cup would have made virtually zero impact — whether or not it was placed on set intentionally. But because Game of Thrones takes place in a medieval setting, a to-go beverage is centuries out of place. Seeing such a modern item immediately yanks viewers out of their suspension of disbelief, and suddenly the focus is on the error, and not the story.
Do you see where we’re going with this? A manuscript peppered with typos or grammatical errors will jolt a reader out of the narrative the book is meant to tell. Instead of getting caught up in the story or thesis, they’re suddenly forced to mentally rectify the work’s mechanical mistakes. So proofreading is partly important because it allows your narrative to shine through uninterrupted.
What’s more, it adds a level of professionalism that is absolutely necessary if you’re looking to get publishers or readers on your side. When confronted with an obviously un-proofed book, both audiences will likely assume the author couldn’t be bothered to truly invest in their work. And if the author didn’t seem bothered to invest, why should they?
So whether you’re planning to seek out traditional representation for your book or to self-publish on your own, editing and proofreading is a vital part of the publishing process.
Working with a professional proofreader
A professional proofreader does more than just look out for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. They will also look for consistency issues that could hamper the reading experience. This would include:
1. Ensuring that any web links go to the right webpage
2. Checking that the index matches the content
3. Confirming that the layout doesn’t fluctuate throughout the work
4. Making sure that the images have correct captions
5. Verifying that the copy adheres to the author’s chosen style guide
Proofreaders will not usually copy-edit, meaning that they won't make changes directly to the manuscript. Their primary job is highlighting potential mistakes, allowing the writer or editor to make the final decision.
Proofreading tips
Start with self-awareness.
There are certain bad grammatical habits we’re all prone to or, particular typos that tend to crop up frequently in our work. Before you get started, take a moment to determine your own "bad writing habits." Then do a sweep of your work, concentrating just on those. For example, perhaps there's a word you know you overuse? Search for just that word and really consider whether it needs to be there.
Read out loud.
The truth is, your eyes can deceive you — and this is especially true if you're reading on a screen, where your eyes are quick to tire. You'd be surprised at how many mistakes you can spot reading something out loud vs. reading it silently in your head. A bonus tip here is to read your manuscript out loud with someone else. Take turns reading a set number of pages each, and you'll ensure you catch any awkward-sounding phrases.
Do one thing at a time.
The worst way to proofread your own work is to read through it and try to get it perfect by the end. Effective proofreading requires multiple rounds, and each round should be focused on just one task. Don't look for spelling errors at the same time as you check for homonyms, as you'll likely end up letting stuff fall through the cracks.
Source: Reedsy
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