Editing Tips

Advice on the skills you need as a freelance proofreader and editor. Check out our editing tips and advice to develop your abilities and impress your clients.

  • When Can You Use the First Person in Academic Writing?

    When Can You Use the First Person in Academic Writing?

    Dec 05, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    Many students are taught not to use the first person in academic writing. But is this always the case? And when should a proofreader change or comment on the point of view in scholarly work? In this post, we’ll explain the basics, including: Why the first person is traditionally avoided in academic writing. Differences in […]

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  • How to Proofread: 5 Tips to Help You Proofread Well

    How to Proofread: 5 Tips to Help You Proofread Well

    Dec 04, 2021

    • Editing Tips
    • Freelance Tips
    • Lifestyle Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Skills and Experience

    Being a freelance proofreader has many benefits, but it’s not easy. You can know all about spelling, grammar, punctuation, referencing styles, and so on, but that doesn’t necessarily make you a good proofreader. That’s why sometimes it can be useful to rethink your processes to help you work better. In this post, we’ll introduce five […]

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Proofreading Tips: A Proofreader’s Guide to E.g. and I.e.

  • Proofreading Tips: What to Do with Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers

    Nov 14, 2021

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    Dangling and misplaced modifiers are common grammar mistakes. In this post, we’ll talk you through how to spot and correct these errors as a proofreader. What Is a Modifier? In grammatical terms, a modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes, clarifies, or alters) another word or phrase within a sentence. A modifier might […]

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  • Editing Tips: Editing IMRaD Essays

    Nov 11, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    If you do a lot of academic editing or proofreading, chances are you will come across an IMRaD essay. Indeed, you may have worked on several without even knowing it! The term IMRaD stands for Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion, which is a method of structuring essays. It’s worth yourself with this structure because it’s […]

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  • Proofreading Tips: Parentheses and Square Brackets in Chicago Style

    Nov 07, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation
    • Style

    Parentheses and square brackets are punctuation marks used to set off certain bits of information from the main text in a document. They’re not too tricky, but different style guides can have slightly different rules for their usage. And, as a proofreader, you’ll need to check your client’s writing against these rules. This post, then, […]

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  • Proofreading Tips: Dos and Don'ts for Proofreading Academic Writing

    Nov 04, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    Academic proofreading is a common source of work for many freelancers. However, there are some specific rules and requirements for proofreading academic documents that set them apart from other types of documents. With that in mind, we’ve put together five dos and don’ts for proofreading academic writing: Do correct informal language. Don’t change the content. […]

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  • A Proofreader’s Guide to Straight and Curly Quotes

    Oct 28, 2021

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    Quotation marks may seem simple, but if you’ve got a keen eye as all good proofreaders should you might notice some variety in these little symbols. In fact, quotes come in two distinct styles: straight and curly (or ). In this post, then, we’ll explain: The difference between straight and curly quotes. How to toggle […]

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  • What Is the Difference Between Proofreading and Editing?

    What Is the Difference Between Proofreading and Editing?

    Oct 24, 2021

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    If you’ve spent any time in the world of writing, you’ve probably heard the terms proofreading and editing used interchangeably. And if you’re a new proofreader, you might not know that they’re two distinct tasks. But what exactly is the difference between proofreading and editing? And why is it important to know? Read on to […]

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  • Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Proofreaders

    Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Proofreaders

    Sep 25, 2021

    • Editing Tips
    • Freelance Tips
    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    If you’re a freelance proofreader, you’ll likely spend a lot of time using a laptop or computer. And knowing some keyboard shortcuts can make your life much easier when proofreading a document. Plus, the faster you can proofread, the more you can earn! In this post, we’ll take you through a few useful keyboard shortcuts, […]

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  • Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Comma Splices

    Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Comma Splices

    Sep 23, 2021

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    A good proofreader will know how to spot and correct common punctuation errors. One of the most common of these is the comma splice. But what exactly are comma splices, and how can you fix them? Read on to find out more. What Are Comma Splices? A comma splice is what happens when two independent […]

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