OST164 Text Editing Applications

1. Proofreading is the examination of a document to find errors that should be corrected. Proofreading tasks range form simple to complex – from checking to see that nothing was omitted to checking for consistency in format. OST164 Text Editing Applications Chapter 1 - Keyboarding Errors Pages 1-38

2. Four approaches to proofreading • Verification proofreading – involves comparing the final copy with a previous draft to make sure that the material has been keyboarded correctly. This is the easiest form of proofreading. • Partnership proofreading – involves two people – the document preparer reads aloud form the draft as a second person verifies the final copy. Although time-consuming, the partnership approach is often the best method for proofreading statistical and technical documents. • Proofreading on the computer screen – must adjust to viewing material on the computer screen - must be adept at using various software tools that can assist you in detecting errors in written copy. • Proofreading without an original document – most challenging form of proofreading – you must check the content word for word.

3. Most common keyboarding errors • Misstrokes – striking the wrong key. Please complete the sales tax from. (form) • Omissions – accidentally omitting keystrokes or words. Write the check as soon possible. (omitted “as”) • Repetitions – adding unneeded keystrokes. Look on the the Web site. (“the” repeated) • Spell checkers • A spell checker usually will not detect errors in misused but correctly spelled words such as from and form because both of these words are in the software dictionary. • A spell check will detect unfamiliar proper nouns. If you use certain names frequently, you should add them to your software dictionary.

4. Proofreading names • Always verify a person’s name. Misspelling a person’s name can be embarrassing for you and offensive to the person. • Check the spelling of each part of a person’s name individually. • Verify possible alternative spellings of names such as Stephen or Steven, Katherine or Catherine. • When using courtesy titles, make sure the appropriate one is used: Mr. - Ms. – Miss - Mrs. - or Dr.

5. Proofreading addresses • Striking the incorrect key can misdirect your mail and cause a delay in delivery. • Make sure the last line of an address includes only the city, state, and ZIP code. - Two-letter state abbreviations should be all caps with no periods or spaces between the letters. - Leave one space between the state abbreviations and the ZIP code. Madison, WI 53715 - A ZIP code may have a four-code number to designate specific addresses within a delivery area. Madison, WI 53715-2395 • For international addresses, make sure the country name appears by itself on the last line of the address. Foster Tours Suite 28 Market Square 4218 Market Avenue, Makati City 1273 PHILLIPPINES

6. Proofreading telephone numbers • An error in recording or transcribing a telephone number can be costly. A search for the correct number can be time-consuming and fruitless. • There are several acceptable formats for telephone numbers: Hyphenated 803-555-3219 Parentheses (803) 555-3219 Periods added 803.555.3219 • International telephone numbers may have a sequence of three or four numbers: an international access code + a country code + a city code + a local number.

7. Proofreading other numbers • Numbers are used frequently in writing dates, ages, decimal fractions, dollar amounts, times of day, and weights and measures. • Spell checkers will not find typographical errors in numbers. • Check all numbers as a separate proofreading step. • Make sure the numbers make sense. • Check to be sure that all parts of the numbers are aligned. • When proofreading several columns, read down each column, not across from left to right. • Make sure the numbers have the appropriate number of digits.

8. Proofreading for omissions • You must read for more than sense – you must read for accuracy. I do not want to attend the conference in San Diego. I do want to attend the conference in San Diego. Enclosed is my check for $95 for one year’s subscription. Enclosed is my check for $995 for one year’s subscription. • The revision symbol used to insert omitted copy is the caret ( ). • To insert a character: net = neat • To insert a word: in morning = in the morning a the

9. Proofreading for repetitions • The spell-check feature of most word processing software highlights repetitions of letters that result in misspelled words. • The revision symbol used to insert omitted copy is the caret ( ). Delete a letter: thought = though Delete a word: wrote two two checks • Sometimes when words are repeated, it is correct; and sometimes, it may be incorrect. Correct: I am sure that, that is what I need now. Incorrect: He went to to the store. Note the comma that separates the repeated words.

10. Transpositions • Some word processing software has an automatic correction feature. • If that feature is turned on, a word like “teh” would automatically be changed to “the”. • When you proofread, you can spot transpositions by reading “word for word” and “letter for letter.” • A spell check will not detect transpositions that spell actual words. trail – trial lost – lots quiet – quite • Spell checkers will detect most transpositions in words, they will not detect transpositions in numbers. • The revision symbol for transposing copy ( ) indicates that items should change places. teh next holiday most the of staff

11. Proofreading Marks for spacing • To add a space, use the ( ) and ( #) symbol. # atthe • To delete a space, use the symbol. at the • To leave only one space instead of two spaces, use the symbol. ba nk ( ) ( ) ) )

12. Proofreading for correct spacing There is NO space before:

13. Proofreading for correct spacing There is NO space after:

14. Proofreading for correct spacing There is NO space before or after:

15. Proofreading for correct spacing There is NO space between: There is ONE space between:

16. Proofreading for correct spacing There is ONE space before: There is ONE space after: NOTE The book says 1 or 2 spaces – but it is always 1 space.

17. CORRECTION: Page 27 - #9 (a-g) In this section, it states that you can have one or two spaces. Always put ONE.