How do you feel when you read a document full of spelling, formatting, and grammatical mistakes? Isn't it obvious that you feel similar to a speed breaker? It is the reason, why there is a need of proofreading and it has to be done after writing every content. Also, this is the reason proofreading services are coming into the limelight these days. In this PDF we look at what these marks mean that these proofreaders use while working on a document:

1. Proofreading Marks? An Overview of Frequently Used
Symbols
How do you feel when you read a document full of spelling, formatting, and
grammatical mistakes? Isn't it obvious that you feel similar to a speed breaker? It is
the reason, why there is a need of proofreading and it has to be done after writing
every content. Also, this is the reason proofreading services are coming into the
limelight these days. Let us have a look at what these marks mean that these
proofreaders use while working on a document:
What Do These Marks Mean?
Proofreading marks are used to draw attention to formatting and layout problems and
spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation faults.
When revising a hard copy document, proofreaders will leave revisions in the margins
on both the left and right sides: on the left side, for the first half of the sentence and to
the right side, for the second half. The location of the problem will also be indicated
by a similar mark in-line.
Frequently Used Symbols in Proofreading
¶ Paragraph
This symbol in proofreading is used when the proofreader wants to convey that a new
paragraph is needed here. It is done specifically when a page contains extensive
dialogue. So starting a new para is crucial to make it easy for a reader to visually
follow the flow of the content.
Delete
You can use this symbol to delete an alphabet, work or the entire sentence. It is
written over that particular work to denote that it needs to be removed or deleted.

2. Insert em dash
Being a proofreader, you can use it in place of commas, colons, and parentheses. It is
a punctuation mark that is highly versatile. Although you should not consider it as
formal as parentheses, a pair of these symbols seek attention to the text without
disturbing the flow of the sentence.
Insert
This symbol is used when you need to insert some content. Proofreaders use this
together with the specific elements that they add above or below the text.
Move Left
A proofreader uses this mark when they want to move text towards the left. It should
be used as long as the content of lines of is moved.
Move Right
Proofreader uses this symbol when they want to move text towards the right. It should
be used as long as the content of lines of is moved.
Transpose

3. You can use this symbol when elements need to be transposed or switched around in
a text.
Insert Comma
A proofreader uses this symbol when he wants you to insert a comma at a
particular place in the content.
Insert Period
This symbol denotes that the writer has to insert a period or the full stop to end
the sentence.
|| Align Vertically
As a proofreader, you can use this to denote that the entire text that needs to be
aligned vertically.
# Add Space
When a proofreader wants you to insert space between two words or sentences.
¶ no Remove Paragraph Break
This symbol tells us to remove the paragraph break in content.

4. Abbreviation Used in Proofreading
sp- It indicates there is a spelling mistake.
stet- It denotes that proofreading marks should be ignored and to keep the text as it is.
ls- It is used to adjust letter spacing.
ital- You can use it to put text in italics.
rom- Proofreaders use it to put the content in Roman or non-italic font.
bf- You can use it to put the content in boldface.
lc- It denotes putting the text in lower case.
caps- You can use it to capitalise the content .
sc- It represents to small caps the text.
wf- It is used to put the content in the correct font
s/b- You can use it to point selection to whatever text follows this symbol
Importance of Proofreading
Focus on the Writing
Proofreading is crucial to make people focus on the content rather than on the
mistakes it has. This process ensures that there are no typing or punctuation mistakes
and the grammar is correct.
Protects Reputation
It can decrease the credibility of the source with so many typos. To make a better
impact on the reader's mind, make sure that there are no or negligible errors in your
document.
Ensures Correct Meaning
When you proofread the document, you ensure that the meaning of the content
delivered is the same as you wanted. Sometimes a comma can change the entire
meaning of the sentence.
Quality
It is a fact that an error-free document is what everyone needs. It is because it
automatically increases the quality of your content and explains the meaning that you
want to convey.

5. Conclusion
It was all about the proofreading marks or symbols used to denote mistakes in a
document. In this article, you learned about the meaning of these symbols, along with
the usage of various symbols. If you get stuck somewhere in the process,
seek proofreading services from professionals available online.