Common Proofreading Symbols

A list of symbols, their meaning, and an example of usage.

Capital Community College. Reference>Editing

Professional Editorial Standards

The skills listed in this publication are those most commonly required for editing English-language text, whether on paper or on screen. The editor's functions start when the writer declares the manuscript more or less complete and continue through to the point at which it is ready for publication, regardless of the medium. Editors perform many tasks along the way, including structural editing, stylistic editing, copy editing, markup/coding, and proofreading. The technologies used in editing and in publishing change, but the fundamental tasks and the editorial skills required to work with words remain relatively constant.

EAC (1999). Reference>Editing>Standards

Proofreader's and Editor's Symbols

The following marks are standard proofreading and editing marks. A professional proofreader puts a mark (usually a line or caret) in the line and writes the correction in the margin. An editor makes corrections within the line rather than in the margin (in part because an editor's changes are typically more extensive), which is why editors prefer to work with double-spaced copy.

University of Colorado (2002). Reference>Editing

Standard Editing Symbols

Editing and proofreading symbols are used by editors and others for indicating text changes. The symbols are universally understood among most writers, editors, proofreaders, text processors, and printers.

Univ. of Colorado at Boulder. Univ. of Colorado (2000). Reference>Editing>Academic

Tracking Reviewers' Comments

I had a manual under review by over 60 people. I posted a question about how to track all of their comments. Here is the summary. Thanks to everyone who responded. You all gave me a lot to think about. I realized as I got the comments that I left out a crucial piece of information...the manual went out to our managers and maintenance specialists in the field (we have offices all over the United States). Thus, we can't hold traditional meetings.

Hanvey, Jeff. Suite101. Reference>Editing>Groupware>Workflow