Mastering Copyediting and Proofreading Techniques

1. Copyediting vs. Proofreading Most information from Rude, Carolyn. Technical Editing, 4th ed.

2. Proofreading: • Verifies copyediting changes • Addresses overlooked errors • Compares “dead” copy to current copy • Looks for accuracy in spelling, numbers, and consistency

3. Copyediting vs. Proofreading Copyediting Proofreading Verifies that copyediting specifications have been implemented Occurs toward the end of production Uses mostly marginal marks • Prepares text for publication • Makes style choices • Occurs early in production • Uses interlinear marks when possible

4. Uncaught errors spoil the mood… Rowling, J.K. 2005. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. New York: Arthur E. Levine, p. 10.

5. …cause confusion…

6. …or ruin careers. • “Career break in 1999 to renovate my horse” • “1990 – 1997: Stewardess – Royal Air Force” • Hobbies: “enjoy cooking Chinese and Italians” • “Service for old man to check they are still alive or not.” • Cleaning skills: “bleaching, pot washing, window cleaning, mopping, e.t.c” • “Job involved…counselling clientele on accidental insurance policies available” • “2001 summer Voluntary work for taking care of the elderly and vegetable people” • “I’m intrested to here more about that. I’m working today in a furniture factory as a drawer” From 150 funniest résumé mistakes, bloopers, and blunders ever Book Errata

7. Catching errors gives readers a sense of superiority.

8. Proofing marks are somewhat different from copyediting marks • Mistakes in a line may be listed left to right with a slash between corrections • Marginal marks should be in the margin closest to the mistake • Corrected versions may be written out in margin

9. Rude, Carolyn. Technical Editing, 4th ed., p. 223

10. Helpful Editing Tips • Check original copy & editing marks when possible • Pay attention to text other than body copy • If you find one error, look for more • Review text purely on a visual basis at least once • Check hyphenation • Use techniques to force slow reading • Use multiple proofreaders • Don’t proofread when tired

11. Editorial Markup • Editorial markup consists of directions for the development and production of the document.

12. Placing marks on the page • Be neat • Make your marks easy to read • Use standard markings • Do not obscure correct type • Use a bright-color pencil • Remove stray marks • Be consistent

13. Markup Symbols Words and Letters

14. Delete • Deleete • Use the closeup mark, too, if the word could be spelled as two words

15. Delete, close • Proof-reading • proofreading

16. Delete a word • In the the back • In the back

17. Insert • Inert • Insert • Place the caret beneath the line. Write what is to be inserted above the line.

18. Insert space • Insertspace • Insert space • Usually the line alone will suffice; use the space symbol if there could be a question.

19. Insert space • Markup a text • Mark up a text

20. Transpose • Trasnpose • Transpose • If multiple transpositions in a word make the edited version difficult to read, delete the whole word and print the correction above it.

21. Close up • Close • close

22. Capital letters • ohio; ibm • Ohio; IBM

23. Small caps • 6 a. m. • 6 A. M.

24. Lower case • Federal • federal

25. WORD • Lower case, whole word • FEDERAL • federal

26. WORD • Initial cap • FEDERAL • Federal

27. Word • Italics or Roman type • Star Wars Star Wars • Star Wars Star Wars • Underline to change type style from roman to italic or vice versa.

28. Word • Boldface • Emphasis • Emphasis

29. Superscript • Masters degree • Master’s degree • A2 A2 • Use the superscript sign to identify apostrophes, quotation marks, or exponents

30. Subscript • H20 • H20

31. Delete an underline • Revelry • Revelry

32. Spell out abbreviation or number • 2 • Two • Circle an abbreviation or number you want spelled out. Spell the word as well as circling if the spelling may be in question.

33. or • “Let it stand” • Precede • Precede Precede • If you have edited in error or changed your mind, direct the compositor to set the copy in its original unedited form.

34. Markup Symbols Punctuation

35. Period • … forever • …forever. • Circle the period to call the compositor’s attention to this small mark. Do not circle other punctuation.

36. Comma • Copper iron and silver • Copper, iron, and silver • Place an inverted caret over the comma. Do not place it over other punctuation.

37. Colon • Following • Following:

38. Semicolon • Following • Following; • To create a semicolon from a comma or colon, draw in the dot or tail. Otherwise, simply insert the semicolon.

39. Parentheses • 2002 • (2002) • The lines in the parentheses won’t be typeset, but they do reinforce your intent to include parentheses rather than other lines.

40. Brackets • word • [word] • Be sure to square the lines if the writer has used parenthesis.

41. or • Hyphen • Light emitting diode • Light-emitting diode • The underline or checking of the hyphen reinforces your intent to include a hyphen.

42. Equal sign • A B • A = B • Since the equal sign can look like the underlined hyphen, write eq by the mark and circle it to show that the information is an instruction.

43. or • Em dash • A pejorative - disparaging- word • A pejorative– disparaging– word • An em dash is as wide as the base of the capital M in the typesize and typeface used. It is used to set off parenthetical material or a break in thought.

44. or • En dash • 2000 01 • 2000 – 01 • An en dash is as wide as the base of the capital letter N in the typeface and typesize used. Its primary use is in numbers expressed as a range.

45. Markup Symbols Spacing, Position

46. Begin a new paragraph • … other features. The editor’s… • …other features. The editor’s…

47. Begin a new line • numbers; abbreviations; • numbers; abbreviations;

48. Run together • …form your marks. It is not timeto express… • …form your marks. It is not time to express…

49. or • Flush left or justify left • The editor’s… • The editor’s… • Place the edge of the mark on the margin where text should move.

50. Justify right • Book Title • Book Title