How to Use Proofreaders Marks

Capitalize the letter 't' and add a space using proofreaders marks.

When you need to mark up a document, use proofreaders marks. The practice of proofreading and editing on hard copy is done less and less these days, but if you need to edit your own or someone else's writing, using standard proofreaders marks lets you easily communicate the changes in a standard fashion.

It's always a good idea to let someone else read your work. They will more than likely catch mistakes your eyes miss. Proofreaders marks are commonly used in the publishing and business worlds, so there should be little to no confusion about your requested changes.

Things You'll Need

• red pen or pencil
• document to be proofread
• list of proofreaders marks

Instructions

1. 

   Gather a red pen or sharpened red pencil. The color red shows up the best on white paper and will communicate to the writer or word processor what changes you want to be made.

2. Get a list of proofreaders marks to refer to. The Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary has an excellent list of proofreaders' marks. Study them and keep a copy handy to refer to as you proof read.

3. Get the document to be proofread or edited. Take a cursory look at it, noticing how it is separated into chapters or sections. See if there are quotations used. Get a feel for the document you'll be proofreading.

4. 

   Begin proofreading. Pay attention for missing words. Use a caret (an inverted V) to indicate where something needs to added. Things to be added can be an entire word, a comma, a space, and so on. A V-shaped caret is used to insert quote marks.

5. 

   Use the proofreaders marks shaped like half circles to close up a space. This can be used in the middle of a word. This proofreaders' mark indicates the word should be set (typed) as one word.

6. 

   Use a delete mark to indicate a letter or word to be deleted or taken out. Familiarize yourself with the other proofreaders marks and keep a list handy to refer to when you are proofreading or editing.

7. For additions, add a caret where the added words go and write the words in the margin. Draw a line to the caret to indicate where they are to be inserted.

8. Keep writing in manageable chunks. Add a paragraph symbol (a backwards P with two lines) to indicate where to start a new paragraph.

Tips & Warnings

• The ability to notice words that are misspelled is key when proofreading.

• Keep your writing neat when using proofreaders marks.