Proofreading

These days, organisations can quite easily produce documents in-house and upload them directly to the internet. without needing to go through the formal stages of traditional publishing, such as editing and proofreading. This can have significant advantages by making it quicker, easier and cheaper to get information or messages out to their intended audience. But it also comes with some disadvantages.


  • It is notoriously difficult to spot mistakes in your own writing; you are often too close to the content and see what you think is there, rather than what is actually there.
  • If documents have a number of contributors they can contain inconsistencies in


You might find it useful to refer to the fact sheet What is proofreading? produced by the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading.

What does my proofreading service include?


A typical proofreading assignment includes checking for:

  • essential errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation
  • appropriate syntax (the way words are put together) and use of words and phrases
  • missing or repeated text
  • consistency in style eg use of capitals, abbreviations, hyphenation
  • consistency in formatting eg layout, font, bullets
  • sequential numbering of pages, headings, diagrams etc
  • agreement between tables of contents or indexes and headings
  • correct and functioning hyperlinks.

I would normally also suggest minor changes for sense or clarity.


The assignment could also include (depending on your requirements):

  • identification of ambiguous sentences or paragraphs
  • advice on reducing the word count
  • guidance on the use of plain English
  • general advice on the style of writing.


What does it not include?


The proofreading service would not normally include:

  • checking facts (although I might query something that looks wrong)
  • improving choice of vocabulary
  • restructuring material
  • verifying references.


Typical documents


I specialise in proofreading planning-related documents.  that I can proofread include:

  • local plan documents
  • supplementary planning documents
  • various evidence base reports
  • LPA guidance notes for the public, householders, neighbourhood plan groups etc
  • draft neighbourhood plans
  • applications for grant funding.


Why I can help



Costs

My charge for proofreading a particular document will depend on the number of words, the level of "intervention" required, and the turnaround time. Every assignment is different, so I'll need to see the document, or at least a sample of it, in order to provide a quotation.

To learn more

If you want to find out more about how I could help or would like me to provide a quotation, I'd be pleased to hear from you. All enquiries are entirely without obligation.

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