What Do Proofreaders Actually Do

Many people are unclear as to what it is that proofreaders actually do when they receive a document for proofreading. In reality, the tasks a good proofreader will complete will vary according to the type of document they are reading, the intended audience for the document and the instructions they receive from the client. Below you will find some examples of the types of processes an online proofreader may implement:
Identify necessary changes. Online proofreaders will create a clone of the first document and will then mark any amendments that are required clearly on this version. They will generally highlight punctuation, spelling, grammatical and syntax errors. Customers will receive two documents from their proofreader; one that contains the original document with all changes highlighted, and one that contains all of the proofreader’s changes in final form.
Ensure that the language and grammatical style used throughout the document is consistent. It is very common for people to switch between different forms of English within their written prose, especially when they have written a long document such as a dissertation or a manuscript. A good proofreader will check the document for consistency and ensure that one style is utilized throughout, except where the document warrants a change in language. If necessary they will correct the copy to ensure consistency.
Compare two documents: In some cases proofreaders may be asked to compare two documents line by line (reading against copy). In this case they will carefully examine each and every word and ensure that what is contained in one document is exactly the same in another.
Check the formatting of the document. A good proofreader will not only look at the language, grammar and spelling contained within a document, they will also provide assistance with formatting. They will proofread the entire document to ensure that page numbers are consecutive, headings are correct, all figures and tables are correctly referenced and quotations and citations are presented appropriately. This can be especially useful to people who have prepared dissertations, thesis, manuscripts or legal documents for formal purposes. It is important to note that proofreaders will not re-edit the work in full. They may make changes to spellings, grammar, formatting or deal with inconsistencies, but they will not restructure or rewrite the paper; this is the role of an editor.
In the past, you would generally hire a proofreader via a writing or publication agency. Recruiting a proofreader would be a long drawn out process whereby you would request a quote and wait several days until work began. Such proofreaders were, and still are, very expensive. Today, however, things are very different. You can access online proofreading services for very low prices. The best sites are able to offer full online order processing and will have transparent and up front pricing schedules. Look for a site that offers you the ability to communicate directly with the proofreader throughout the process.