MACHINE TRANSCRIPTION & DICTATION 6E

Proofreading Proofreading means to read your text carefully to find and correct typographical errors and errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, numbers, and document format. Proofreading is an acquired skill that requires your full attention. Slide 2

MACHINE TRANSCRIPTION & DICTATION 6E Proofreading Basics 1. Review the proofreaders' marks on page 232 of the textbook. Can you recognize these standard marks and use them effectively? 2. Review the proofreading tips on pages of the textbook. Use these proven techniques to achieve error-free documents. Slide 3

MACHINE TRANSCRIPTION & DICTATION 6E Helpful Hints Assume the transcribed document has errors. Run Spell and Grammar Check but don't rely on them to find all errors. Proofread a printed copy; we read differently on screen and on paper. Concentrate; give each document your full attention. Don't rush. Slide 4

MACHINE TRANSCRIPTION & DICTATION 6E Helpful Hints (Continued) Read the transcript slowly to make sure it makes sense. Check grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Check for consistency. Verb tense Unusual spellings or abbreviations Check for completeness and correctness. Accurate and complete data Terminal punctuation (e.g., question marks and ending quotation marks) Slide 5

MACHINE TRANSCRIPTION & DICTATION 6E Helpful Hints Check short words such as of, on, or, an, at, you, and your for correctness. Check that closing quotation marks and parenthesis are present. Check for repetition of words or numbers in a list. Verify words that might be misused (affect/effect, all right/alright, accept/except). Slide 2

MACHINE TRANSCRIPTION & DICTATION 6E Helpful Hints (Continued) Double-check proper names. Double-check numbers. Check figures against a reliable source. Check mathematical calculations. Listen again to the dictation. Compare it to your document. Verify that all oral instructions were followed. Make a final check of appearance and formatting. Slide 6