Style

In these posts, we look at how proofreaders and editors should approach different writing styles and document types. Let us know if there are any style issues you'd like us to cover on the blog.

  • Editing Tips: Fact-Checking Fiction

    Editing Tips: Fact-Checking Fiction

    Jul 03, 2021

    • Creative Writing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    Fiction is all about the suspension of disbelief, and factual errors can be distracting. Thus, when editing or proofreading a novel, you might need to raise issues of factual accuracy for your client, especially when a work of fiction is set in the real world. In this post, then, we set out some tips on […]

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  • Proofreading Tips: Punctuation in MHRA Style

    Proofreading Tips: Punctuation in MHRA Style

    Jul 01, 2021

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

    The MHRA Style Guide is often used in the humanities, especially in the UK. But what does a proofreader need to know when working on a document that follows this style? In this post, we will look at the rules for punctuation in MHRA style, including: General guidelines about the overall punctuation conventions in MHRA […]

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  • A Guide to Citing Shakespeare in Academic Writing

    Jun 24, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    Shakespeare’s plays are so influential that many style guides have special rules for citing them. As a proofreader, then, you’ll need to look out for citations like these when working on academic writing. Here, we’ll set out the key rules for citing Shakespeare plays in some of the major referencing systems, including the APA, Chicago, […]

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  • Proofreading Tips: Titles of Other Works in APA Style

    Jun 20, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    The APA Publication Manual is widely used in academic writing, especially in the social and sciences. If you’re proofreading this type of writing, you need to know how to format titles of other works in APA style. Here, then, we’ll offer some advice for proofreaders on the following: Where APA style suggests using title case […]

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  • A Proofreader’s Guide to Dates in AP Style

    Jun 13, 2021

    • Business Editing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    The Associated Press Stylebook is the go-to style guide for many writers, news outlets, and businesses. And if your clients use AP style, you’ll need to know how it works. With that in mind, here we’ll look at what proofreaders should know about dates in AP style, including: The basic date format (and when you […]

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  • Hyphens and Dashes in AMA Style

    Jun 06, 2021

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

    The AMA Manual of Style (11th edition) is an academic style guide widely used in the medical sciences. As an academic proofreader, then, you may need to learn the basics of this style. And, having previously introduced the AMA referencing system, this post will focus on how to use hyphens and dashes in AMA style. […]

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  • Titles of Other Works in AP Style

    May 30, 2021

    • Business Editing
    • Creative Writing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    AP style – as set out in The Associated Press Stylebook – is commonly used in business writing and journalism. But did you know that the AP Stylebook has advice on how to present titles of other works, such as books, films, and musical compositions? It’s important to be aware of these rules so you […]

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  • Proofreading Checklist: Student Essay

    May 09, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Resources
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    Academic proofreading can be a great source of work for freelancers. But what should you look for when proofreading a student essay? In this essay proofreading checklist, we set out the issues that often affect essays, from basic typos to errors with citations and formatting. Mechanical Issues No matter the document type, a proofreader can […]

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  • A Quick Guide to Dates in MHRA Style

    A Quick Guide to Dates in MHRA Style

    Apr 29, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    The Modern Humanities Research Association’s style guide (or MHRA style) is frequently used in the arts and humanities, particularly in the UK. We have covered referencing in MHRA style before, but here we’re going to look at how to present dates in MHRA style. Read on below to find out what to look for when […]

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  • A Proofreader's Introduction to IEEE Style

    A Proofreader's Introduction to IEEE Style

    Mar 25, 2021

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    The IEEE Editorial Style Manual for Authors provides advice for anyone writing for an IEEE journal or publication. However, many technical writers and educational institutions also use IEEE style, so it is worth knowing the basics if you proofread technical writing. Here, we look at some key aspects of IEEE style that proofreaders should know. […]

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