Deep Dive: Proofreading

Proofreading is a labour-intensive process

Proofreading is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot. "Will you proof this letter for me?" "Can you proofread this CV for me?" Any and all written things can (and should be) proofread. But what does it actually mean? Is it really just making sure the writer didn't misspell anything?

The short answer is no.

Proofreading is the art of reading to look for errors, but that doesn't only mean spelling or punctuation. It , of course, covers those things too, but it's so much more than that.

When you hire SureScribe to proofread your book or written project, you're paying for certified proofreading that covers all of this:

• spelling, punctuation & grammar

• syntax, continuity & consistency

• fact and legal checks such as dates, copyright infringements etc.

• formatting errors such as double spaces or typos

and so much more.

So what does the proofreading process look like? Here's how we break it down to ensure you're receiving a complete, professional proofread with the lowest possible margin for error.

1. We may ask for a sample of your work that is proportionate to the overall length of your project, so we can gauge how long the overall project will take.

2. Once we receive the whole document, we do a first close reading, correcting and suggesting as we go. In an MS Word document, this is always done in Track Changes, so be sure to switch that on when you get your document back to see what we've suggested!

3. Several more close reading passes come next, with careful, concentrated attention paid to each and every word, sentence, line and paragraph. This is why proofreading so often is intertwined with line editing, as it's hard to ignore editorial errors while proofreading and vice versa.

4. Once we're happy the document is as carefully proofread as it can be, we return it to you for you to revise our suggestions and implement whatever you think is right. This is ultimately up to you to decide what you agree with or not. Although proofreading is a technical skill, you may have good reasons for not keeping the technically correct version of something.

5. We always offer a final run through after you've made the changes, so when you're done with that, ping it back to us and we'll make sure neither of us have missed anything. Then it's ready for the next stage!

Proofreading is an intense, often labour-intensive process, and it's completely normal to miss seemingly obvious errors in your own written work. After all, you've spent maybe months and months working on this project, so you know it inside and out. And when you know a thing so well, you stop seeing the basic parts of it, so proofreading in particular is something we always recommend outsourcing.

For more details, prices, or to discuss your specific project, contact us today.