Proofreading is the final step in preparing a document for submission or publication. It aims to polish the final version of the text, ensuring accuracy.
In contrast to editing, proofreading does not involve checking for coherence or editing for content or meaning. It focuses instead on correcting errors in spelling, capitalization, hyphenation, abbreviation, quotation style, and grammar (for example, correcting subject-verb disagreements or verb tense disagreements), along with other issues of syntax. This includes ensuring that punctuation is used correctly, that the document is free of misplaced, extraneous, or missing punctuation and that words are spaced correctly.
Before a project reaches the proofreading stage, it should undergo the following: developmental editing or editorial evaluation followed by line editing and/or copyediting.
It is important to reserve proofreading for last, since it does not resolve gaps or errors in the underlying logic, style, or flow of the project’s content. Rather, proofreading is largely cosmetic. It addresses typographical and mechanical issues of spelling and grammar only. You can think of proofreading as the final buffing out of remaining errors to bring a relatively clean and polished document to a high, clear and bright shine.
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Please note that a single page is defined as 250 words, per the industry standard for a double-spaced manuscript page. Unless stated otherwise, rates are by the hour. Rates and service outputs are estimations only and may vary by or not apply to each project.
Proofreading Services & Rates