Proofreading Tips

Whether you’re just getting started or are an experienced proofreader, there’s always something new to learn. That’s where our blogs come in! We've got expert advice on spelling, grammar, punctuation, referencing, proofreading different types of writing (from creative to business and academic), and much more!

  • Writing the Time: AM and PM or a.m. and p.m.?

    Writing the Time: AM and PM or a.m. and p.m.?

    May 14, 2020

    • Proofreading Tips

    AM and PM are terms used when writing times. However, there are a few different ways to write them, which can be tricky when proofreading. Should you just aim for consistency? Or is there a correct way to do it in certain contexts? In this post, we explore: What the terms AM and PM mean. […]

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  • An Introduction to the AP Stylebook

    An Introduction to the AP Stylebook

    Apr 23, 2020

    • Business Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    The AP Stylebook is the go-to style guide for anyone working in journalism. But why is this guide so popular? And what do you need to know about it as a proofreader? Let’s take a look. What Is The Associated Press Stylebook? The Associated Press Stylebook is created by the Associated Press (AP), a major […]

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Proofreading and Diacritics in English

  • An Editing and Proofreading Glossary

    Apr 09, 2020

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    If you want to become a proofreader, it helps to know the lingo. And as with any industry, editing and proofreading has its own terminology. Check out the glossary below to learn a few key terms that you would need to know to become a proofreader or editor. Copy Editing Copy editing typically involves refining […]

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  • What to Do with the Singular They

    Apr 05, 2020

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    Becoming A Proofreader Are you interested in becoming a freelance proofreader, but not sure where to begin? Our comprehensive Becoming A Proofreader course is a great place to start! Sign up for a free trial and try it out today.

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  • Freelance Proofreading Tips: The Client’s Brief

    Mar 19, 2020

    • Clients
    • Finding Work
    • Professional
    • Proofreading Tips

    As a freelance proofreader and editor, your work may range from making major changes to a document to fixing typos and other minor errors. And this variability is why you need to agree a clear brief with each client. But what is a brief? And what might it cover? Understanding the Client’s Brief In simple […]

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  • Freelance Proofreading Tips: 5 Types of Client

    Mar 09, 2020

    • Clients
    • Professional
    • Proofreading Tips

    One of the joys of freelance proofreading and editing is the variety it offers. Every client is a little bit different, each with their own requirements and posing their own challenges. But there are some types of client you’ll encounter more often than others, including: Students, academics, and researchers Business clients Authors and publishers Private […]

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  • 3 Tips for Staying Focused While Proofreading

    Feb 17, 2020

    • Professional
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Skills and Experience

    Attention to detail is crucial for any proofreader. But how can you maintain your focus when editing long, dry documents? Or when working for hours on end? We won’t claim to have all the answers, but we do have three great tips for staying focused while proofreading. 1. Take Regular Breaks Fatigue is the number […]

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  • Proofreading Resources: Style Guides

    Feb 10, 2020

    • Proofreading Resources
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    Style guides are crucial for proofreading and editing. As a freelancer, you may come to depend on them quite heavily! After all, a good style guide will tell you everything you need to know to edit a document, from spelling preferences to citation styles. But which style guides do you need? And where can you […]

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  • Copy Editing vs. Proofreading: What You Need to Know

    Copy Editing vs. Proofreading: What You Need to Know

    Feb 06, 2020

    • Editing Tips
    • Professional
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    In the publishing world, copy editing and proofreading both take place toward the end of the editing process. However, these terms are tricky to pin down. And to confuse matters further, many freelance editors offer a mix of both. But there is a distinction between the two, so let’s look at what makes copy editing […]

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  • Editing Tips: Should You Edit Citations and References?

    Editing Tips: Should You Edit Citations and References?

    Jan 27, 2020

    • Academic Editing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations

    You need to know your referencing systems if you’re proofreading academic documents. Knowadays covers several major referencing styles to this end, but we’re often asked how far an editor should go with citations. The answer is But that isn’t a very helpful answer, so we’ll look more at how to edit references and citations below. […]

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