Proofreaders often get pressured by means of the term 'reading towards copy', so in this newsletter I will try and provide an explanation for what the term means.
There are methods in which a proofreader can be requested to work: both by means of analyzing towards copy, or acting a immediately (blind) studying.
When she is requested to read towards replica, the proofreader might be furnished with the writer's unique typescript (or a copy of this) with the editor's corrections marked on it, and a fixed of proofs produced by the typescript. The proofreader then compares the proofs with the edited typescript, going through each, phrase by phrase, line via line, to ensure that the author's textual content (collectively with any editorial amendments) has been faithfully rendered, and not using a mistakes delivered on the typesetting degree.
When acting a immediately or blind analyzing, the proofreader could be furnished with proofs simplest and now not the original typescript. In this example, the proofreader cannot understand whether or not the original typescript has been correctly reproduced at the side of the editor's corrections. Her position is certainly to check the proofs for content material, marking up any clean mistakes in spelling, punctuation, and so on, that she may additionally discover.
When analyzing in opposition to copy, maximum proofreaders operate by means of scanning some words of the authentic typescript, then checking to peer that those appear successfully on the proofs, with any editorial corrections nicely implemented. Where there may be a distinction (if, for example, an apostrophe has been unnoticed), the proofreader shows this with an appropriate mark.
For each correction, one mark have to be made in the text itself and some other in the margin. This is done to be able to make certain that, when the typesetter involves incorporate the proofreader's corrections, he does not inadvertently bypass over any of them.
Errors made by means of the typesetter ought to be highlighted with one colour pen, errors by way of the writer/reproduction editor with some other. This is not with a view to apportion blame, but to determine who should pay for the amendments. The trendy device of coloration coding is proven beneath:
Red: This is used to expose mistakes which have been introduced into the textual content with the aid of the typesetter.
Blue: This is used to reveal mistakes made through the author and missed via the reproduction editor, and errors made by way of the replica editor herself.
(NOTE: a few publishers decide on black ink to blue -- you may be cautioned of this whilst you start operating for them).
Green: This shade is reserved for the typesetter's personal queries or corrections.
The fee of 'pink' corrections might be borne with the aid of the typesetter, at the same time as that of 'blue' corrections might be met by way of the writer (or, in severe instances, the writer). With a immediately reading, of course, you may now not understand whose responsibility any mistakes is probably. In this situation, you'll mark up all corrections in a unmarried shade (normally crimson).