What do proofreaders do?

Below is a transcript of the video.

As a proofreader, what are you expected to do?

If you’re reading someone else’s work and you feel it’s in need of a massive overhaul, are you allowed to dive in there and tear it to pieces? Or do you need to hold back a bit?

Let’s take a look at the answer.

COPYEDITOR

Typically, a document will go through several stages of editing.

The first level of editing would be a copy edit. You might need to do this or someone else might do it before it’s sent to you to proofread.

The copyeditor is fairly hands on. They’ll edit the raw copy - the raw writing. And typically, they will work closely with the writer, asking questions and negotiating changes. And they’ll be looking at the overall content. So looking at big picture things like structure, tone of voice.

If the document’s been produced in a large organisation with a clear strategy and strong verbal identity, they’ll also be checking that the content is on brand.

They’ll also check that any visual devices, such as graphs and charts are appropriate to the content.

And they might work in one of two ways. They might either edit on screen, perhaps using track changes. Or they might mark up a printed copy of the document.

PROOFREADER

A proofreader will correct the document after the copyeditor, once the document’s been laid out. So typically they’d work more closely with the graphic designer who’s laying out the copy than with the original author.

So they’ll be checking for things that were not really the concern of the copyeditor. Things like:

·         Layout - is everything in the right place?

·         Typography - do the fonts look ok?

·         Does the document look visually consistent and in line with the organisation’s visual brand identity.

A big difference between a copyeditor and a proofreader, is that technically a proofreader should always mark up a printed copy of the document. 

And then there are aspects of the document that both copyeditors and proofreaders will be reading for. 

These are:

·         Spelling

·         Word choice

·         Grammar & Syntax (syntax is just the way sentences are put together)

·         Punctuation

·         Verbal consistency

·         And Factual accuracy

So, as you can see, there is some overlap between the copyeditor’s role and the proofreader’s role. The boundaries are bit blurry, but it’s helpful to have some idea of the expectations of you as a proofreader.

For more writing advice, enrol in my online course, Writing With Confidence, available at the Doris and Bertie Writing School.

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