Professional proofreading is a skilled job which demands patience, aptitude and training.

It has often been said that the author of an article is the last person who should proofread it: they are too familiar with the text! I look at each word almost as though it were a foreign language. I read for sense: a computer spell checker will accept ‘subside’ when you might mean ‘subsidise’, and I check for context: a computer will accept ‘fore’ when you might mean ‘four’.

I also examine spelling, grammar, punctuation and the layout of your page, and the heading, font and alignment are closely scrutinised for continuity. If required, I can also carry out any necessary copy-editing.

How Does It Work?
I can either carry out proofreading online or on hard copy, whichever is more convenient. When proofreading online, my clients usually prefer me to mark up any corrections using Microsoft Word.

On hard copy, I can support my clients’ different requirements by offering three alternative methods of marking text to highlight corrections:

• • European Standard Symbols. These are formal proofreading symbols which are used to highlight corrections and will be understood by all reputable, professional printers. This method is suitable when, perhaps, deadlines are tight, since the proofread text does not need to be re-written by my clients prior to being sent to the printer.
  • Plain English. This method is ideal for clients who are not familiar with the European standard symbols and who wish to print and publish their documents in-house.
  • Combination of Both. This method might be used for clients who are happy to design and publish their documents in-house, but prefer to send the finished work to a professional printer.

Whichever method suits my client’s needs is the one I use. In addition to the proofed copy, I can provide my clients with a written summary of my findings for their reference.

I’m also happy to proofread online, whichever is more convenient.

Making Sure That Your Proof Is Perfect
In practice, once corrections have been applied to the proofs and the text has been re-printed, these revised proofs may require to be read again ‘against copy’ to ensure any corrections have been properly incorporated.

How Long Does It Take?
It can be difficult to estimate in advance of seeing the proofs how long a piece of work will take; it may be badly written and require some copy-editing, or it may be very well prepared. In either case, I will be happy to provide a written estimate, if required. Most clients, however, are surprised at the errors they have missed and are reassured that the time I have spent has been necessary. As a guide, I would plan to proof 4 – 5 pages of A4 size paper with two line spacing in an hour.