Proofreading is about correcting all those annoying typos and formatting errors

It is the proofreader’s job to check the typeset copy using standard proofreader marks to identify any typographical and formatting errors.

Consistency of writing is vital

As with editors, proofreaders in Australia use the Style manual for writers, authors, editors and printers 6th edition (2002) and any inhouse style manual for the publishing house or company. The marked up version is then returned to the typesetter for correction. An important step in the process is to return the revisions to the proofreader to ensure the typesetter has made all the corrections. It is not uncommon for errors to occur during the typesetting correction loop.

A professionally-trained proofreader is hard to find

Proofreading is a learned skill. Many baby boomer proofreaders acquired their training working for newspapers and in publishing houses in the 1960s and 1970s. However, newspapers long ago did away with this work reducing the numbers of professional proofreaders dramatically.

Proofreading is more difficult than it appears. As readers, we tend to compensate for errors and therefore we tend to skim over typographical errors. Learning to be a good proofreader requires time and a good mentor (if you can find one).

Proofreading is a different part of the publishing process from editing: structural editing and copy editing – both are far more detailed than proofreading and happen at earlier stages in the process.

What proofreaders do

Proofreading is about reviewing any text, either hard copy on paper or electronic copy on a computer, and checking for typos and formatting errors. Proofreaders can either check the text against an original document or  work ‘blind’ in that they simply check the final copy itself. Many good, professional proofreaders often identify copy-editing issues that have been missed such as grammar and inconsistency in the document.

Bold Type has a professionally trained proofreader who is renowned for his high quality work. Contact Sue Stevens at Bold Type today about proofreading your next writing project.

Read more about the publishing editorial process

Copy editing

Substantive or structural editing

Structural editors work at the construction level of publishing making sure the foundations of the written text is strong

Sometimes called developmental editing or structural editing, substantive editing looks at both the content and structure of a manuscript as a cohesive whole.

The structure of any writing is essential for cohesiveness and for maintaining the reader’s interest. If a document is not well structured in the first place, it doesn’t matter how well it is edited or proofread.

You could say that structural editors work on the building blocks of the writing – they make sure the foundation of the writing is strong.

Your writing needs to have a logical flow

Does the story or argument have a logical flow? Does the text below a heading relate to that heading or is the content in the wrong place? Do headings and the hierarchy of headings make sense and help signpost content?

Are there obvious gaps in the flow of the text? Is the content very dense and difficult to read in some places and light in others? Does the voice of the text change?

Substantive editing may require the editor to suggest re-ordering of large chunks of text, make suggestions about deleting text, adding text, or rewriting small or large chunks of text.

If you need a substantive edit of a piece of writing, contact Sue at Bold Type today.

Read more about the publishing process

Copy editing

Proofreading