What is a proofreading? 

Proofreading is a performing process of the final draft of the document. In other word, proofread must done after the finishing all the editing revision. So that, proofreading focuses on errors like misspelling, grammar mistakes and punctuation.

Is the proofreading process the same as editing process?

Of course, proofreading process is not the same as the editing process. In this paragraph, you will see the basic differences between proofreading process and editing process. In other word, proofreading process and editing process are two different processes in document preparation.

• The first difference: proofreading process is a surface level check for errors. Editing process on other hand, focuses in the core of sentences construction.

• The second difference: proofreading process performed on the final draft of document. But the editing process performed on the first draft of document.

• The third difference: proofreading process search if there are misspelling, grammatical mistakes, punctuation errors, inconsistencies and formatting errors. If there are any of these errors found in the document, the proofreading process eliminates them. On other hand, editing process focusses on language itself and the construction of the sentences in a document. So, if editing process will enhance the language clarity, readability and smooth narration.

• The fourth difference: proofreading process does not require collaborative with the author of the document. Rather than proofreading process, editing process require collaborative with the author of the document.

 Who is the proofreader? 

A proofreader is the person who do the job of proofreading process. So, a proofreader is checking the whole document to ensure that it is corrected and completed before print and publish this document.

Skills and knowledge to be a proofreader

If you need to become a proofreader and get money from this career. There are many skills that you should take it in your consideration:

• First skill/ knowledge: accurate and pay attention to details

• Second skill/ knowledge: skilled and knowledge of language needed (e.g., English language)

• Third skill/ knowledge: to well work with others

• Fourth skill/ knowledge: flexible and open to change

• Fifth skill/ knowledge: self-motivated

• Sixth skill/ knowledge: a good communicator

• Seventh skill/ knowledge: comfortable working with IT 

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  What does a proofreader check? 

As we said above, the proofreader must do some checks on the document which need to be proofread. So, the proofreader needs to check:

•  First check that the text matches the original document

•  Second check the spelling of the text is correct

•  Third check if the style of the text is consistent

•  Fourth check a correctness of the page number, headings and captions

•  Fifth check that the photos and illustrations are taken /caption correctly

 What types does the proofreader proofreads? 

As the proofreader do a lot of checks of document before this document printed or published. The proofreader may proofread academic documents and reports, books, magazines, newspapers, websites and business reports. Also, the proofreader may work on publications that have a special audience.

Tips for effective proofreading

If you work as a proofreader and you have to be more expertise about proofreading skills. Here are some tips to pay attention when to check/ proofread a document:

First tip: backwards proofreading, that’s mean you start from the end of the document. So that, you have to check the document paragraph be paragraph or line by line.

Second tip: put a ruler under each line as you read it from the document. Thus, you can focus more on the readied line.

Third tip: make a list of mistakes that you see it before, that will give you chance to look over a document before proofreading.

Forth tip: do the proofreading at the time you are alert to catch errors.

Fifth tip: choose one error per time to proofread

Sixth tip: it is good to proofread once aloud

Seventh tip: to get better results of proofreading process of your document, give yourself time break while working.

Eighth tip: use carefully your spell-checker on your computer to more check of the proofreading document.

Nineth tip: read your proofreading document several times to sure this document has no errors.

 How to become a proofreader? 

May you ask yourself why to become a proofreader? Or does it a good job to earn money? If yes, in this paragraph you will know how much can you earn from a process of proofreading?

There are many ways to learn proofreading process, some ways may faster than others but finally, it depends on you. The three generals most ways to proofreading process are:

1. Learn proofreading by taking an online course

2. Learning it by yourself

3. Learn proofreading process on the job

 Learn proofreading process by taking an online course

In of the way to become a proofreader is to take an online course. Taking an online course is the best and fast way to become a freelance proofreader. It means that you will search on internet about proofreading courses by a success person in a field of proofreading process. You will find a lot of courses; but be sure that you take the best one. The best thing in this way that you can take the course anywhere and at any time.

Learn proofreading process by yourself

Means teach yourself by yourself to learn proofreading process. It the hardest way to learn proofreading process. That’s because this way depends on your accountability and your personal motivation. However, it will be simply when you want to teach yourself to become a proofreader.

So, if you want to teach yourself to become a proofreader, there are many various proofreader’s marks that you should understand to make your document.

There are various “handbooks” and “styles” that outlines the specific rules of spelling and grammar. You should be familiarized with these various books to get your proofread document as your client’s need.  

Learning proofreading process on the job

At this way of learning proofreading process, you learn proofreading process while you are in a company. The idea here is that when your company produces any type of digital/print content. Here, if you can volunteer to act as a proofreader and thus, you can get more expertise of proofreading process.

 When to choose proofreading process service? 

You should to choose proofreading process in two major cases:

Case1: when your document is finished and ready to publish or print. Here, you need to proofread your document to final check it.

Case2: when you sure that your document structural and language are correct. And you need to check the document to eliminate misspelling, grammatically errors and punctation errors.

Are proofreaders in demand?

Do not worry about this point. that’s because the demand for proofreaders is on increase, so go ahead to be a proofreader.

Tips for proofreading process

As more as skills to be found in a proofreader, here are techniques to use when proofreading a document:

1. Revise and edit your writing first

2. Take a time break from the writing text before proofreading

3. Proofread a printed page of your writing

4. Using digital shortcuts

5. Learning from your mistakes

Conclusion

Finally, in addition to skills and knowledge that you must to have, there are not enough to be a proofreader. But also, you do need to commitment.

Also, focus on yourself and in your client’s need in the proofread document.

Work with proofreading as a business that you have to build.

To be a professional proofreader, you need more than language skills and knowledge. You also need discipline, drive and good business sense.

 Video: What is the Difference b/w Editing and Proofreading 

With greetings: Al - Manara Consulting to help researchers and graduate students