Formatting
In these posts, we look at issues related to formatting a document that you may encounter as a proofreader. Our aim is for this to include tips on a range of programs and file types, helping you to format everything from Microsoft Word documents to PDFs. We will also look at how to use various software packages that are useful for editors and proofreaders.
5 Questions to Ask When Editing a Listicle
5 Questions to Ask When Editing a Listicle
Aug 03, 2022
If you edit articles or blog posts for business clients, at some point you’ll probably need to edit one of the most popular formats out there nowadays – the listicle. As the name suggests, a listicle is a piece of writing that organizes its sections as a numbered list – just like this post, in […]
Proofreading Tips: How to Fix Ghost Formatting in MS Word
Proofreading Tips: How to Fix Ghost Formatting in MS Word
Aug 01, 2021
When working as a proofreader, you might find that some clients ask you to correct the formatting of a document. But have you ever come across a layout issue in Microsoft Word that seems impossible to fix? If so, you may have experienced the spectre of ghost formatting. This post will explain what this means […]
Editing Tips: Scene Breaks in Books and Manuscripts
When to Use Italics for Non-English Words
Feb 11, 2021
In English-language writing, words from other languages are often presented in italics. As a proofreader, you may therefore need to check that such words are presented correctly. Becoming A Proofreader The Becoming A Proofreader course covers everything you need to know to start working as a freelance proofreader! Sign up for a free trial today […]
Editing Tips: Typographic Rivers Explained
Jan 17, 2021
When proofreading a typeset text, such as page proofs for a book, you may need to keep an eye out for rivers. No, we don’t mean bodies of water. We mean gaps in the text. To find out what rivers are and what to do with them, check out our guide below. Rivers in Text […]
Editing Tips: What Are Word Divisions?
Aug 09, 2020
When proofreading a typeset text, such as the page proofs for a book, you may need to look for issues with word divisions. But what is a word division in proofreading? And how should proofreaders approach them when checking a document? In this post, we explain the basics. What Are Word Divisions? Part of typesetting […]
Understanding the Proofing Options in Microsoft Word
Jun 25, 2020
The spellchecker in Microsoft Word cannot replace expert proofreading, but it can be a useful tool for proofreaders. We look at this in our Becoming A Proofreader course. However, to make the most of this tool, you need to understand the proofing options in Microsoft Word. How to Access the Proofing Options in Microsoft Word […]
A Guide to Proofreading LaTeX Documents
Jun 21, 2020
If you do a lot of academic proofreading, you will almost certainly encounter LaTeX at some point. And no, this doesn’t have anything to do with rubber gloves or clothing! To find out about the LaTeX system and what you need to know as proofreader, check out our guide below. What Is LaTeX? LaTeX (pronounced […]
Editing Tips: How to Format Block Quotes
Jun 18, 2020
When proofreading academic writing, you may come across longer passages of quoted text. And while you would not usually edit quotations, most referencing systems require longer passages to be formatted as block quotes. In this post, we look at how that works. What Are Block Quotes? A block quote or block quotation is a quotation […]
Formatting Titles in Academic Documents
Formatting Titles in Academic Documents
May 18, 2018
Although proofreading and formatting are different, they overlap in some respects. For instance, when an essay names a source in the text, it is standard for the proofreader to ensure its title is appropriately formatted. Let’s take a look at how formatting titles works. Italics and Quote Marks Formatting titles in the text of a […]
Top 5 Formatting Tips
Top 5 Formatting Tips
Mar 15, 2018
If there’s one thing that this blog has said ad nauseam, it’s that being a proofreader isn’t just about having good spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Take formatting, for example. It’s not proofreading, but a lot of jobs aimed at proofreaders require it and a lot of employers will expect you to format documents professionally. For […]