1. Basic Tools for Proofreading and Editing
Proofreaders’ Marks
Basic Tools for
Proofreading
and
Editing
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2. Editing Printed Documents
Use a pen with contrasting-colored ink.
Use standard proofreaders’ marks to show corrections.
Mark all corrections clearly.

3. Correcting General Errors
Use a caret () to show an insertion.
Place a diagonal (/) through an unwanted letter.
Change a letter by placing a diagonal through it and writing the correct letter above it.

4. Deleting and Changing
Delete words and phrases by running a horizontal line through them.
Change text by first deleting it and then writing the correction above the deletion.

5. Transposing
Use the transposition symbol to indicate a reversal of keystrokes, words, phrases, and even sentences.

6. Closing Up and Inserting Spaces
Close up an extra space with loops above and below the space.
Show where a space is needed by using the insertion caret and placing the number sign directly above the caret.

7. Just a few more
proofreaders’
marks . . .

8. Changing Internal Punctuation
To add internal punctuation, place the comma, semicolon, or colon inside a caret at the point of insertion.
To delete internal punctuation, place a diagonal through the mark.
To change internal punctuation, delete the incorrect mark and insert the correct one.

9. Changing Closing Punctuation
To add closing punctuation, write periods, question marks, and exclamation marks—and circle them.
To delete closing punctuation, place a diagonal through the mark.
To change closing punctuation, delete the incorrect mark and add the correct one; circle the new mark.

10. Other Punctuation
Add quotation marks or an apostrophe by placing the mark in an inverted insertion mark ().
Add a hyphen by using the insertion mark () at the point of entry and placing an equal sign (=) directly above the caret.

11. Capitalizing Words
To show that a single letter should be capitalized, place three short lines under it.
To show that entire words should be capitalized, underline the word or word group three times.

12. Correcting Capitalized Words
Place a diagonal ( / ) through a capital letter that should appear in lowercase form.
Use a diagonal and a straight line to show which letters should not be capitalized in words appearing in all capital letters.

13. Number Usage
If a figure should be written in words, circle the figure.
If a number written in word form should be in figures, draw a horizontal line through it and write the correct figure or figures above it.

14. Abbreviations
If an abbreviation should be spelled out, circle the abbreviation.
If a word or words should be abbreviated, draw a horizontal line through the word or words and write the abbreviation above the lined-out text.

15. Paragraphs
To insert a new paragraph, place a paragraph mark (¶) at the point of insertion.
To delete a new paragraph beginning, write No ¶ where the paragraphs are to be combined.

16. Italics and Bold Underline any words that should appear in italics.
Place a wavy line under any words that should be bolded.
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