Standard proofreading and editing symbols make it easier to show where changes are needed in a piece of writing. When proofreading your own or a classmate’s work, use the standard proofreading symbols that follow.

1. Proofreading and Editing
Symbols
Allison Mackley
2004

2. Proofreading and Editing Symbols
• Standard symbols make it easier to
show where changes are needed in
a piece of writing. When
proofreading your own or a
classmate’s work, use the standard
proofreading symbols that follow.

3. Hints for Successful Proofreading
• Cultivate a healthy sense of doubt. If there
are types of errors you know you tend to
make, double check for those.
• Read very slowly. If possible, read out
loud.
• Read what is actually on the page, not what
you think is there.
• Proofread more than once.
• If possible, work with someone else.

4. Insert
• This symbol is
used to insert
letters or words.
• Practice using
this symbol:
– I proofred.

5. a
Insert Correction
•I proofred.

6. Insert Space
• This symbol is
used to insert a
space between
words or letters.
• Practice using
this symbol:
– Iproofread.

7. Insert Space Correction
•Iproofread.

8. Insert Line Space
• This symbol is used to
insert an extra line
space between typed
or written lines.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– I proofread all of
my writing, so I get
good grades.

9. • I proofread all of my
writing, so I get good
grades.
Insert Line Space Correction

10. Delete
• This symbol is used
to delete letters or
words.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– I pproofread.

11. Delete Correction
•I pproofread.

12. Delete Line Space
• This symbol is used to
delete unnecessary
line spaces between
typed or written lines.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– I proofread all of my
writing, so I can get
good grades.

13. Delete Line Space Correction
• I proofread all of my
writing, so I
can get
good
grades.

14. Close Up Space
• This symbol is used to
close up a space
between letters or
words.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– I proof read.

15. Close Up Space Correction
•I proof read.

16. Delete and Close Up Space
• This symbol is used
to delete letters or
words and close up
the space.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– I prooofread.

17. Delete and Close Up Space
Correction
•I prooofread.

18. Begin New Paragraph
• This symbol is used to
begin a new paragraph
and show the need for
indentation.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– I proofread. My
English teacher is the
best.

19. Begin New Paragraph Correction
•I proofread. My
English teacher is the
best.

20. Spelling Error
• This symbol is used
to show a spelling
error.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– I prufreed.

21. Spelling Error Correction
•I prufreed.

22. Wrong Word
• This symbol is used
to show that the
writer has used a
wrong word.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– Me proofread.
– I proofread there paper.

23. Wrong Word Correction
•Me proofread.
•I proofread there paper.

24. Lowercase
• This symbol is used
to show that an
uppercase letter
should be made
lowercase.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– I Proofread.

25. Lowercase Correction
•I Proofread.

26. Capitalize
• This symbol is used
to show that a
lowercase letter
should be made
uppercase.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– i proofread.

27. Capitalization Correction
•i proofread.

28. Transpose Letters and Words
• This symbol is used to
show that the order of
letters or words should
be switched or
transposed.
• Practice using this
symbol:
– I proofraed.
– I proofread work her.

29. Transpose Letters and Words
Correction
•I proofraed.
•I proofread work her.

30. Insert End Punctuation
• These symbols are
used for inserting a
period, question mark,
and exclamation point.
• Practice using one of
these symbols:
– Do you know how to
proofread

31. Insert End Punctuation
Correction
•Do you know how to
proofread

32. Punctuation Within a Sentence
• These symbols are used
for inserting a comma,
colon, semicolon, and
hyphen.
• Practice using one of
these symbols:
– I will proofread and she
will help.

33. Punctuation Within a Sentence
Correction
•I will proofread and
she will help.

34. Punctuation Within a Sentence
• These symbols are used
for inserting an
apostrophe, single
quotation marks, and
double quotation marks.
• Practice using one of
these symbols:
– I proofread Ms. Sekols
paper.

35. •I proofread Ms. Sekols
paper.
Punctuation Within a Sentence
Correction

36. Always Remember to Proofread
• The beautiful part of writing is
that you don’t have to get it
right the first time, unlike, say,
a brain surgeon.
Proofread, Proofread, and Proofread Again