Tips to edit and proofread your documents, manuscripts and thesis easily
Proofreading and Editing Agency
Tips to proofread and copy editing manuscripts: Proofreading and Editing are specialized jobs and requires training, practice and skills to be a competent proofreader if it comes to academic. At Content Connects we are a team of skilled academic proofreaders and editors. You can write to us for more details at info@contentconnects.in
What is Proofreading and Editing
Proofreading and copyediting are the specific terms that describe the system of examining any written work and finding out the errors. If you are the editor you must know that copy editing is done before you proofread an article, which requires more in-depth inspection than the last one.
A good copy edit is a way to improve the flow and structure of the article or manuscript which sometimes requires rewriting. Once the article is copyedited, you can start with proofreading and it will require checking of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Let’s check out the tips you can use for copy editing and proofreading texts.
Copyediting a manuscript or document:
- There are different levels of copy editing. Before you start with the task you have to understand the level first. For standard copyediting, you have to follow some basic instructions. In the case of baseline edit, you have to correct the grammar, style, and punctuation. Also, check the spelling errors and capitalization. For substantive edit, you have to combine the steps of baseline and standard. You have to go through the flow of the text, consistency, and style. You may also have to change the sentences from passive to active voice.
- The next step is to read through the text without changing any lines. Not every manuscript is the same and authors have their writing techniques. So when you read the article or document before you edit, you will get an idea about the author’s writing style and the meaning they want to convey. This will help you with the copyediting and you will understand which parts you have to edit.
- You must refrain from editing at the first read. You have to be familiar with the text first, understand it thoroughly, then go for the editing step.
- Read the document from start to the end, and you have to do this task with a critical mindset. This time you are checking the piece for the structure and flow of the writing.
- You need to read sentence by sentence. Return to the beginning of the document and read each sentence carefully. You have to check and fix spelling, typos, and grammatical errors. You won’t have to worry about the whole text as you are editing each sentence. It will be helpful if you go for a hard copy, and here you can keep an index card for the error checks.
- Correct the style and formatting of the manuscript. If the writer is allowed to use any format you have to check the style is consistent in the entire piece. You have to search the possible mistakes and fix the heading, page numbers, margins, font, and so on.
- Go through the document for the final time, read it from the beginning to the end. In here you have to check the missed errors and fix them.
Proofreading a manuscript:
- It’s a good idea to print out the document. You can try proofreading the copy rather than checking it on the computer screen. It’s easier to notice the errors on a hard copy. You have to print the paper with large fonts so that you can clear the punctuation errors. You must not rely on the computer to catch errors. You can use the spelling and grammar check tools, but it’s best to check the manuscript manually.
- Make a list of possible errors, and this will help you finish the task faster. As a proofreader, you have to check all the common errors like grammar, spelling, punctuation, margins, numbering, and fonts.
- Read the document backward. However, if you are proofreading a long document you probably won’t get time to do this step. But reading it backward is helpful for shorter manuscripts. You have to start at the finish line of the piece and begin reading from right to left. This will help you identify the errors more clearly. You just have to give time to this task and read each word carefully.
- Reading out loud is also helpful when you are proofreading. This will allow you to read slowly and catch the extra errors.
- Concentrate on one sentence at a time. You can cover other sentences with an index card to help you with this task.
- Make use of a colored pen or a highlighter to mark the mistakes that you have found in the manuscript.
- If you have time in hand, you must read the document multiple times. You need to proofread twice. Also, you can alternate the reading between forward and backward.
- Setting a time for proofreading will help you concentrate more. Make sure you are doing the work in a quiet environment and try not to get distracted.
- If there are lots of errors, you need to read the texts repeatedly.
Copy editing and proofreading take more time than usual. So if you can’t spare the hours, you can always hire a professional proofreader.