Wait, proofreading and editing aren’t the same thing?
Most content creators think editing and proofreading are the same thing. Well, they aren’t, and you’ve probably already guessed that by now. You should always be wary of publishing content that has been written, edited, and proofread by the same writer. Why, you ask? That’s because editing and proofreading can’t be executed at the same time, as both tasks are very different from each other. Grammarly defines editing as:
“The tasks include checking written material for grammar, spelling, style and punctuation issues before it’s prepared for proofreading. A copy editor may also do a rewrite, if necessary, to fix any problems with transitions, wordiness, jargon, and to ensure the style of the piece fits with the publication.”
On the other hand, proofreading includes reviewing content after it has been edited. A proofreader basically goes through a content piece that’s about to be published, and looks for minor errors that the editor may have missed, or were created during the editing process.
Life tip: If you keep switching between being an editor and proofreader, don’t try doing one right after the other. Give yourself a break, so that you can make sure you aren’t doing both tasks at the same time. This will help you avoid a messy, unfocused review process.
If you frequently find yourself wearing the editor’s hat, use this five-step process to edit well:
1. Try and understand the purpose of the content piece for the audience before you begin reading. You could ask the writer to write a sentence or two at the top of the content that tells you who the target audience is and why the content piece was written.
2. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes and read the content as they would. Remember— only scroll, don’t change a single thing.
3. Read the content once again, but this time, as an editor. Make sure you have a pen and paper close by, so you’re able to note where the content isn’t working. You should also check whether the introduction is attention-grabbing, if the content piece is focused, and whether it’s a reflection of the brand’s style.
4. Edit the content with the style guide. Doing this will help you make sure the language is as per the brand’s style and chosen dictionary.
5. Go through the content one last time to make sure it reads well. Does it serve its purpose? Does it have an emotional trigger? Is it easy to scan through? Have you made good use of bullet-points and carefully labeled subheadings?
After a content piece has been edited, it requires to be proofread. However, proofreading isn’t a one-step process. Like editing, proofreading also consists of multiple steps that are all equally important. The following four steps will help you do a better job at proofreading:
1. Review the flow. Even though the editor should’ve taken care of this, it’s the job of a proofreader to read the content once more and fully understand it, so they’re able to review it well. If any problems are found with the flow, address them by attempting to fix them with the help of the editor.
2. Check for grammar. It’s what most people think proofreading solely is.
3. Check your spellings. Though this may seem like an extremely easy task, it can prove to be quite difficult if you attempt to spell check just like you read (left to right, top to bottom), as your brain will be reading for comprehension, and you won’t end up catching many errors. And so, it’s best to start from the last word, and work your way to the first, checking the spelling of each word as you do.
4. Review the content in its published form. Doing this will allow you to ensure the content appears the way it was meant to. You’ll need to check whether the subheads are in the same font and are the same size, if there are any odd line breaks and spaces, etc.
Afterword
By understanding the difference between editing and proofreading, you’ll be able to improve your content, as well as its results. Additionally, you will also be able to prevent the repercussions of poor editing and proofreading, such as a disinterest in your brand’s content, which often leads to fewer readers.