Proofreading and Editing Symbols

Allison Mackley2004

Proofreading and Editing Symbols

• Standard symbols make it easier to show where changes are needed in a piece of writing. When proofreading your own or a classmate’s work, use the standard proofreading symbols that follow.

Hints for Successful Proofreading

• Cultivate a healthy sense of doubt. If there are types of errors you know you tend to make, double check for those.

• Read very slowly. If possible, read out loud.• Read what is actually on the page, not what you

think is there.• Proofread more than once. • If possible, work with someone else.

Insert• This symbol is

used to insert letters or words.

• Practice using this symbol:– I proofred.

a

Insert Correction

•I proofred.

Insert Space• This symbol is

used to insert a space between words or letters.

• Practice using this symbol:– Iproofread.

Insert Space Correction

•Iproofread.

Insert Line Space• This symbol is used to

insert an extra line space between typed or written lines.

• Practice using this symbol:– I proofread all of

my writing, so I get good grades.

• I proofread all of my writing, so I get

good grades.

Insert Line Space Correction

Delete

• This symbol is used to delete letters or words.

• Practice using this symbol:– I pproofread.

Delete Correction

•I pproofread.

Delete Line Space• This symbol is used to

delete unnecessary line spaces between typed or written lines.

• Practice using this symbol:– I proofread all of my

writing, so I can get good grades.

Delete Line Space Correction

• I proofread all of my writing, so I can get good grades.

Close Up Space

• This symbol is used to close up a space between letters or words.

• Practice using this symbol:– I proof read.

Close Up Space Correction

•I proof read.

Delete and Close Up Space

• This symbol is used to delete letters or words and close up the space.

• Practice using this symbol:– I prooofread.

Delete and Close Up Space Correction

•I prooofread.

Begin New Paragraph

• This symbol is used to begin a new paragraph and show the need for indentation.

• Practice using this symbol:– I proofread. My English

teacher is the best.

Begin New Paragraph Correction

•I proofread. My English teacher is the best.

Spelling Error

• This symbol is used to show a spelling error.

• Practice using this symbol:– I prufreed.

Spelling Error Correction

•I prufreed.

Wrong Word

• This symbol is used to show that the writer has used a wrong word.

• Practice using this symbol:– Me proofread.– I proofread there paper.

Wrong Word Correction

•Me proofread.

•I proofread there paper.

Lowercase• This symbol is used

to show that an uppercase letter should be made lowercase.

• Practice using this symbol:– I Proofread.

Lowercase Correction

•I Proofread.

Capitalize• This symbol is used

to show that a lowercase letter should be made uppercase.

• Practice using this symbol:– i proofread.

Capitalization Correction

• i proofread.

Transpose Letters and Words

• This symbol is used to show that the order of letters or words should be switched or transposed.

• Practice using this symbol:– I proofraed.– I proofread work her.

Transpose Letters and Words Correction

•I proofraed.

•I proofread work her.

Insert End Punctuation

• These symbols are used for inserting a period, question mark, and exclamation point.

• Practice using one of these symbols:– Do you know how to

proofread

Insert End Punctuation Correction

•Do you know how to proofread

Punctuation Within a Sentence

• These symbols are used for inserting a comma, colon, semicolon, and hyphen.

• Practice using one of these symbols:– I will proofread and she

will help.

Punctuation Within a Sentence Correction

•I will proofread and she will help.

Punctuation Within a Sentence

• These symbols are used for inserting an apostrophe, single quotation marks, and double quotation marks.

• Practice using one of these symbols:– I proofread Ms. Sekols

paper.

•I proofread Ms. Sekols paper.

Punctuation Within a Sentence Correction

Always Remember to Proofread

• The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon. Proofread, Proofread, and Proofread Again