Top proofreading tips: proofreading tables, diagrams and design materials within a text.

Tables may look complex and the first instinct when considering a proofreading job with tables may be to ignore them and simply focus on the text. However it is in fact much easier than you might think to proofread them quickly and effectively for a more complete and thorough edit. For a proofreader or copy editor, coming up against tables and mathematical or design objects within a text for the first time can be a challenge. Follow our top tips for a great proofread of these aspects of a text.

Top Proofreading Tips: How to Proofread

Proofreading is a complex and elusive skill requiring much greater subtlety and detail than some people are aware of. We take a trip into the mentality of a great proofreader, exposing the skills and attributes that make a successful proofreading career and exploring how to use them to your own advantage.
Follow our guide for some top tips to first-class proofreading and copyediting.

12 top tips for proofreading!

As a proofreader your work requires solid concentration and attention to detail. You have to notice every error in a text. Here are some key errors to watch out for when you proofread texts

Use your proofreading and editing skills to spot and correct these mistakes

Words that are spelt correctly but are not in the right place, for example “We are not in a recession” when the author meant “We are now in a recession”. These hard to spot mistakes can feel like a proofreading test even for experienced editors.

Editing Tips: Confusables

Confusables are a common problem that editors find in texts. These are words that may sound (or almost sound) the same, but they are spelt differently and mean different things. They could be words like: Site/cite/sight, their/there/they’re, to/too/two, passed/past, effect/affect.

There are also confusing words that have meanings that are very close, but they need to be used with care. These words may have a similar root, but they do have different meanings. They can need careful thought: Disinterested/uninterested, ensure/assure, comprise/compose, infer/imply.

Editing services – What and why?

Even the most basic PC is loaded up with editing software: the spellcheck with its spelling and grammar checks, a thesaurus and even links to online dictionaries for translations. With all this material at your fingertips why do you need an editing service?

Some professional writers may feel their language skills are exemplary and they don't need someone else to check their work. When you have all this material at your fingertips you may wonder why you would need a professional editing service to check over your work.