Why do I need a proofreader?
I'm glad you asked. Well, because no matter how good your grammar and spelling are, typos and errors will always creep in and ruin all your hard work. You check your email again and again, send it, re-read it a minute later, and discover two mistakes. Yikes! Don't be hard on yourself; it happens to the best of us. It's just how our brains work. So my answer is – 'Why wouldn't you?'
What's the difference between Proofreading and Editing?
Developmental Editing
Level 3 - Heavy - Substantive Editing
The big picture.
Checks: structure, form, plot and character development, keeping the target audience and industry standards in mind. The editor will work closely with the author to reshape and develop the manuscript.
Once this stage is completed, you can progress to the line-by-line sentence level stage of copy editing.
Copy Editing
Level 2 - Medium – Line Editing
Level 1 - Light – Verification Editing
Corrects and Revises.
Checks: everything covered in proofreading plus times, dates, clarity, tone, voice, style, logic, order, relevance, globalisation, restructuring, fact-checking, legal issues, and much more – depending on the level of editing.
Once this stage is completed you are ready for a final proofread.
Proofreading
Corrects.
Checks: spelling, punctuation, grammar, typos, capitalisation, formatting, spacing, numbering, captions, names, consistency, syntax and factual accuracy. So, anything that can be checked against the client’s brief, a style guide, dictionary, grammar book, or other authoritative sources.
Proofreading is the final check for accuracy before publishing.
Level 3 - Heavy - Substantive Editing
The big picture.
Checks: structure, form, plot and character development, keeping the target audience and industry standards in mind. The editor will work closely with the author to reshape and develop the manuscript.
Once this stage is completed, you can progress to the line-by-line sentence level stage of copy editing.
Copy Editing
Level 2 - Medium – Line Editing
Level 1 - Light – Verification Editing
Corrects and Revises.
Checks: everything covered in proofreading plus times, dates, clarity, tone, voice, style, logic, order, relevance, globalisation, restructuring, fact-checking, legal issues, and much more – depending on the level of editing.
Once this stage is completed you are ready for a final proofread.
Proofreading
Corrects.
Checks: spelling, punctuation, grammar, typos, capitalisation, formatting, spacing, numbering, captions, names, consistency, syntax and factual accuracy. So, anything that can be checked against the client’s brief, a style guide, dictionary, grammar book, or other authoritative sources.
Proofreading is the final check for accuracy before publishing.
What do the different levels of editing involve?
Level 1 - Verification Editing
According to CMP:
Light or technical editing is a bit like proofreading but with more involved. It should be done whenever any changes have been made to the text, and once more before publication, to give it the final polish.
This editing process is also called verification editing, and its main purpose is to make sure that the text is ready for publishing.
Light or technical editing considers correcting errors in matters such as:
You also need to check if:
Level 2 – Line Editing
According to CMP:
The main purpose of medium or structural editing is to make sure that the copy is written with a single voice for a single audience for a single purpose, as well as being correct, consistent and accurate.
It’s also known as line editing.
Level 2 editing considers everything listed under Level 1 editing, plus checking the following:
Also, the editor will need to consider the writing style:
Then, the editor will need to check the consistency of:
Level 3 – Developmental Editing
According to CMP:
This Level involves applying Level 1 plus Level 2 editing and going much deeper into the writing style. The editor will check that the text is absolutely clear and well organised.
They will be looking at:
CMP - College of Media and Publishing
According to CMP:
Light or technical editing is a bit like proofreading but with more involved. It should be done whenever any changes have been made to the text, and once more before publication, to give it the final polish.
This editing process is also called verification editing, and its main purpose is to make sure that the text is ready for publishing.
Light or technical editing considers correcting errors in matters such as:
- Spelling.
- Grammar.
- Punctuation.
- Capitalisation.
- Tables.
- Lists.
You also need to check if:
- The punctuation and grammar are good enough for the meaning to be easily understood.
- Headings and subheadings, captions, list numbers, and numbered headings have been set up with the correct font style (eg. bold, italic).
- Numbers in lists are consecutive, bullet lists are indented correctly and use the right bullet points, according to the style guide.
- The text is accurate and consistent.
Level 2 – Line Editing
According to CMP:
The main purpose of medium or structural editing is to make sure that the copy is written with a single voice for a single audience for a single purpose, as well as being correct, consistent and accurate.
It’s also known as line editing.
Level 2 editing considers everything listed under Level 1 editing, plus checking the following:
- Times
- Dates
- Names
- Figures
- Calculations
- URLs
- Abbreviations
- Acronyms
- Use of gender pronouns
Also, the editor will need to consider the writing style:
- It must be written for the reader.
- It must be written for the purpose.
- It must be clear, concise and logical.
- Word usage must be appropriate.
Then, the editor will need to check the consistency of:
- Headers
- Subheaders
- Titles
Level 3 – Developmental Editing
According to CMP:
This Level involves applying Level 1 plus Level 2 editing and going much deeper into the writing style. The editor will check that the text is absolutely clear and well organised.
They will be looking at:
- The audience
- The purpose of the content
- Generalisations
- Vagueness
- Consistency
- Flow
- Clarity
- Tone
- Focus
- Tenses
- Structure of sentences and paragraphs
- Organisation of the whole
CMP - College of Media and Publishing
What are your Rates?
My rates vary from job to job depending on the type, quality, and complexity of the work.
Is it a straightforward proofreading job or is editing required? If editing, what level of editing?
Is it plain text or does the copy include pictures, graphs, charts, photos, footnotes, a bibliography, etc.?
Is English the author's first or second language?
Is it a novel or a website?
All these elements have to be considered to determine the appropriate service and charging rate.
I will need to see the document or website and discuss what is required by the client before providing a no- obligation quote.
My clients often express their surprise at how affordable my services are, especially when considering the value perfect copy and projecting a professional image brings them.
Please see Rates page.
Is it a straightforward proofreading job or is editing required? If editing, what level of editing?
Is it plain text or does the copy include pictures, graphs, charts, photos, footnotes, a bibliography, etc.?
Is English the author's first or second language?
Is it a novel or a website?
All these elements have to be considered to determine the appropriate service and charging rate.
I will need to see the document or website and discuss what is required by the client before providing a no- obligation quote.
My clients often express their surprise at how affordable my services are, especially when considering the value perfect copy and projecting a professional image brings them.
Please see Rates page.
What constitutes a 'word' for the word count?
Every word from 'a' to 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'.
Plus, all numbers, punctuation marks, and spaces, as all these elements will need to be checked.
Having obtained an accurate word count, I then multiply that by the relevant charging rate per thousand words, or part thereof.
Plus, all numbers, punctuation marks, and spaces, as all these elements will need to be checked.
Having obtained an accurate word count, I then multiply that by the relevant charging rate per thousand words, or part thereof.
Do you accept 24hr turnaround jobs?
As it's just me, I generally do no accept last minute assignments. However, if I do agree to accept a late assignment (24hrs or less), there will be an extra charge.
I offer a personalised service, and while aiming to be as fast and efficient as possible, I will require your work to be sent to me in good time - well before any deadlines.
I offer a personalised service, and while aiming to be as fast and efficient as possible, I will require your work to be sent to me in good time - well before any deadlines.
How do I submit my work?
I accept work emailed to me in Word or PDF formats.
I use Track Changes on Word documents. An All Markup and Simple Markup version will be sent to you. Once you confirm you are happy with the work, a final Clean Copy version will be sent.
I use Adobe Acrobat Reader for PDF documents.
N.B.
Academic Students: Please do not submit incomplete work to me for proofreading. Make sure your paper is finished and you are happy with it before sending to me. Proofreading should be the very last step undertaken before submitting your work for marking.
I use Track Changes on Word documents. An All Markup and Simple Markup version will be sent to you. Once you confirm you are happy with the work, a final Clean Copy version will be sent.
I use Adobe Acrobat Reader for PDF documents.
N.B.
Academic Students: Please do not submit incomplete work to me for proofreading. Make sure your paper is finished and you are happy with it before sending to me. Proofreading should be the very last step undertaken before submitting your work for marking.
What else do I need to provide?
- If you have a specific Style Guide you wish me to follow, please email me a copy.
- If it is an Academic paper, please confirm your institution's proofreading policy or provide your tutor's consent.
- Once you have accepted my quote, you will need to pay in full before I commence work.
- I will need to discuss and agree a Brief with you.
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Cordelia Ann Bryan t/a ProofMePerfect |