Avoid professional embarrassment by improving your proofreading skills. Packed with exercises, checklists, and tips, this course familiarizes you with standard proofreading marks and terms; various methods of proofreading; and punctuation, capitalization, and abbreviation rules.
Target Audience
Anyone interested in improving their proofreading skills.
What You'll Learn at a Glance
- Recognize and correct errors in grammar and language mechanics.
- Recognize and correct errors in content and consistency.
- Recognize and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and style.
- Recognize and correct errors in plain language and clear, concise writing.
Course Syllabus
Module 1: Proofreading Strategies
- Define proofreading and understand its role in the editing process
- Identify essential tools and resources for proofreading
- Learn the multi-step Proofreader’s Process for reviewing documents
- Use digital tools and proofreading marks for efficient editing
Module 2: Step One – Clarity and Language
- Identify big-picture issues such as clarity, purpose, and organization
- Apply the Plain Writing Act of 2010 to government documents
- Eliminate wordiness, redundancy, and complex phrasing
- Practice simplifying language and rewriting for plain communication
Module 3: Step Two – Accuracy
- Check data, numbers, lists, and formatting for factual correctness
- Use specific techniques for proofreading charts, addresses, and citations
- Identify inconsistencies and logical errors in content
Module 4: Step Three – Style and Grammar
- Use style manuals and style sheets for consistency in formatting
- Correct grammar issues related to verbs, voice, modifiers, and parallelism
- Practice applying active voice, strong verbs, and correct subject-verb agreement
Module 5: Step Four – Punctuation, Spelling, and Numbers
- Correct errors in commas, semicolons, apostrophes, and quotation use
- Identify and fix commonly confused words and misspellings
- Apply federal rules for number usage, hyphenation, and capitalization
- Use proofreading checklists and standard proofreading marks
