Proofreading
(GS Classic) |
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| Overview: |
Learn to proofread by using the techniques that professional proofreaders have found most practical and effective. ACE College Credit Recommendation Service reviewed.
In this independent study paper-based course, you submit assignments to an instructor, who grades them and gives you feedback. Textbook is included. Take up to one year to complete.
Additional Information:Complete course anytime within 1 year of registration date. All course materials are included. |
| Who Should Attend? |
Those who want to sharpen their proofreading by participating in a refresher course or who want to be introduced to the rigors of proofreading benefit from this course. |
| Prerequisites: |
| Good knowledge of English usage fundamentals, alertness to detail, orderliness, good memory and an eye for perfection. |
| Objectives: |
| Apply proofreading skills to graphics, tabular material, mathematics copy, some foreign languages and illustrationsCompare typeset or typewritten text with the original text, using conventional marking techniques and standard proofreading symbols to designate inconsistenciesAnalyze editing instructions and specifications to verify that the printer correctly followed instructionsReview copy for questions of technical quality, such as spacing aberrations, misalignment problems and type irregularities |
| Syllabus: |
Syllabus -- Proofreading, EDIT1160C, Grad. School, USDA
Required Textbook
Text supplied by the Graduate School.
Contents and Objectives
- Lesson 1. Introduction to Proofreading
Provide students with an overview of professional proofreading and an introduction to standard proofmarks.
- What proofreading is
- What a proofreader does
- Differences between proofreading and copy editing
- Introduction to standard marks
- Why use them
- When to use them
- How to use them (rules)
- Basic marks
- Deletion
- Insertion
- Replacement
- Written exercises
- Lesson 2. Standard Proofmarks
More standard proofmarks will be introduced.
- Correcting wrong proofmarks
- Standard Marks
- Punctuation
- Symbols
- Hyphens, dashes, and minus signs
- Parentheses, brackets, and braces
- Type marks
- Written Exercises
- Lesson 3. Standard Marks (continued)
Standard proofmarks dealing with type and space requirements are introduced.
- Moving type and space
- Placement
- Alignment
- Contour
- Line, word, and letter spacing
- Breaks
- Written Exercises
- Lesson 4. Measuring Type and Space
This lesson focuses on the proofreading of various forms of copy and introduces the student to the requirements of typesetters.
- Typewriters and line printers
- Uniform spacing
- Character width
- Proportional spacing
- Line spacing
- Type quality from different kinds of equipment
- Typesetting equipment
- Absolute measurement: points and picas
- Fixed spaces: EMS and fractions of EMS
- Variable space
- Written Exercises
- Lesson 5. Alternate Marking Systems
This lesson covers: the Book System vs. Guideline System; editor's marks; and uncommon marks.
- Book system vs. Guideline systems
- Recognizable variations
- Bad breaks
- Less space
- Line spacing
- Uncommon marks
- Editing marks
- Standard editor's marks
- Understanding editor's marks
- Written Exercises
- Lesson 6. Methods of Proofreading
Topics range from solo proofreading to a variety of team proofreading techniques. Computer-assisted proofreading techniques are also covered.
- Solo proofreading
- Team proofreading
- Tape proofreading
- Speeds of various methods
- Code words and signals (for team proofing)
- Punctuation and type style
- Numbers
- Symbols and diacritical marks
- Lists
- Computer-assisted proofreading
- Written Exercises
- Lesson 7. Process, Procedures, and Tasks
The role of proofreading in the production process is covered. Camera-ready copy and special proofreading techniques are covered as well as the special treatment of references and tables.
- Role of Proofreading in production process
- Preparatory tasks
- Steps with first proofs
- Page proofs, repros, and other camera-ready copy
- Special tasks
- Checking references
- Checking the content of tables
- Checking translation codes
- Checking sorted material
- Written Exercises
- Lesson 8. Queries and Corrections
How queries differ from corrections. When and what to query. How to present queries.
- How queries differ from corrections
- What to query
- Forms of queries
- Queries on live copy
- Query slips
- Query lists
- Recurring errors
- Abbreviations
- AAs: Author changes and querying
- What should be a correction and what should be a query
- Written Exercises
- Lesson 9. Tips and Traps
This lesson covers a wide variety of special problems in proofreading; topics range from electronic copy problems to word division problems.
- Alignment
- Codes
- Diacritical marks
- Illustrations
- Numbers
- Quality of type
- Spelling
- Spacing
- Typographic conventions
- Word division
- Style differences
- Frequent errors
- Standards for proofreaders
- Tolls for measuring type
- Written Exercises
- Lesson 10. Final Examination
The final examination will test the student's grasp of all the fundamental procedures taught in this course. It will consist of a group of proofreading exercises.
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