What Does a Proofreader Do? Everything You Need to Know About Having Your Work Proofread

You read, right? Magazines, books, the label on your favorite coffee pack (hey, we all get anxious!) How did that stuff get written? Well, people think of writers, but few think about the unrecognized heroes who make those words look good: editors.  

Well, people tend to think of writers, but few think about the unrecognized heroes who make those words look good: editors.  All written material goes through an editing process before it gets published. Proofreading is one kind of editing process. Authors and publishers hire proofreaders at the very end of the editing process to read the text with fresh eyes and to focus exclusively on proofreading. 

What does a proofreader do? 

Proofreaders love language, have a solid understanding of how a sentence and a paragraph are put together, and truly enjoy hunting for errors.

Proofreaders check a manuscript in its final form to catch errors that editors have missed, including faulty punctuation, spelling, and, sometimes, page layout. The author who wrote/typed the manuscript is not always foolproof, and the copyeditor who edits the typescript will probably miss a few errors. It is the proofreader who must then find and correct these errors with vigilance and skill.

Apart from human errors, computers used in publishing do suffer sporadic glitches, and sharp-eyed proofreaders will be needed to pick up these errors. Computer-based spellchecking software is a great help, but it has its limitations.  It is also the proofreader’s job to insert the page numbers on the contents page; check that running heads, captions, headings, and pagination are correct; and ensure that each page is set to the correct depth(i.e., has the correct line text numbers). Proofreaders also need to list any queries they wish to raise: anything that doesn’t seem quite right or that they are unsure whether to correct. 

What does a proofreader not do?

• Copyediting
• Indexing 
• Page layout 
• Seeking permission(s) to use copyright quotations or images 

Many professional proofreaders have the skills to perform these services, but they require separate negotiation and briefing.

Kinds of proofreading

1. Blind (sometimes known as reading for sense)  
2. Against copy 

When proofreading blind, proofreaders will receive a set of proofs only, and they must read them with care. It is important to note that, when reading blind, the proofreader cannot assign responsibility for errors, so all marks will be made in one color— usually red unless the publisher prefers an alternative. Reading blind takes around one-third less time than reading against copy, but in either case, proofreaders must be careful not to become engrossed in the book‘s content—their job is to find the faults, not to read for pleasure!

When proofreading against copy, proofreaders receive both a set of proofs and the typescript. Their job is to compare one against the other. Proofreading is the exact opposite of speed reading; proofreaders must read every letter of every word. They must read a line from the proof, then the same line from the typescript copy, then the next line from the proof, then the same line from the copy, and so on. When reading against copy, it is easier to spot a typesetter’s errors, whereas reading blind tends to reveal more inconsistencies. Usually, a professional freelance proofreader reads against copy and the author reads for sense, though some publishers send out proofs to two freelance proofreaders as well as the author. 

Qualities of a good proofreader

The best proofreaders

• Have an excellent command of English grammar, spelling, usage, etc.
• Understand style and work with style manuals and style sheets
• Understanding formatting and design issues: fonts, layout, etc.
• Communicate clearly and tactfully with authors and other editors 
• Pay sharp attention to details 

Conclusion 

A proofread is an important step when preparing a written document to be read by other people, as errors can cause confusion or be seen as unprofessional. WordsSharpen will help you polish your copy and ensure it is ready for your readers.