Use of correction marks
Some proofreading instructions
As a basic rule, when proofreading, the lines of text to be corrected should not be read in a cursory, rapid manner, but rather “with the brakes on”. This will make it much easier to spot errors. Longer names, numbers, foreign languages and words with four to five syllables or more, which contain many identical letters (e.g. impermissible, impenetrable), should be read even more slowly, possibly in syllables. Particular care should be taken when reading titles and highlighted lines.
If a table is found in the typesetting, check that there are no inappropriate, different lines mixed in between the rows. Check that the corners of the rows are well aligned, that the column numbers are aligned well below each other, according to their place values, and that the decimal point and the repeating signs are vertical and in line.
Proofreading requires a high level of attention. However, this should not be done by concentrating too much on one error while reading, as experience has shown that if you do, you will miss the one next to it or near it. It is therefore advisable to go back two or three words after correcting the error and thus check the rest of the text.
Corrections should preferably be written in the right-hand margin of the text. Any comments can be written on the left-hand side. If the type is too wide or the type is double-spaced, corrections to errors on the left side may be made in the left-hand margin.
Do not use a hard pencil for corrections. Corrections in blue ink are best.
Proofreading marks and corrections should be written clearly, legibly and in a clear and readable way to avoid new errors. Pay particular attention to the marking of upper and lower case letters that are easily confused with each other (e.g. k and K, u and U, x and X, z and Z, o and O and zero).
How should errors be corrected?
This seven-page chapter gives examples of how to correct common errors. You can view this chapter as a PDF file or download it to your computer. We recommend that you print it out for your own use.
(Source: Székely Artúr, A korrektúrajelek alkalmazása [The use of correction marks], Budapest, 1961, excerpts.)
Some proofreading instructions
As a basic rule, when proofreading, the lines of text to be corrected should not be read in a cursory, rapid manner, but rather “with the brakes on”. This will make it much easier to spot errors. Longer names, numbers, foreign languages and words with four to five syllables or more, which contain many identical letters (e.g. impermissible, impenetrable), should be read even more slowly, possibly in syllables. Particular care should be taken when reading titles and highlighted lines.
If a table is found in the typesetting, check that there are no inappropriate, different lines mixed in between the rows. Check that the corners of the rows are well aligned, that the column numbers are aligned well below each other, according to their place values, and that the decimal point and the repeating signs are vertical and in line.
Proofreading requires a high level of attention. However, this should not be done by concentrating too much on one error while reading, as experience has shown that if you do, you will miss the one next to it or near it. It is therefore advisable to go back two or three words after correcting the error and thus check the rest of the text.
Corrections should preferably be written in the right-hand margin of the text. Any comments can be written on the left-hand side. If the type is too wide or the type is double-spaced, corrections to errors on the left side may be made in the left-hand margin.
Do not use a hard pencil for corrections. Corrections in blue ink are best.
Proofreading marks and corrections should be written clearly, legibly and in a clear and readable way to avoid new errors. Pay particular attention to the marking of upper and lower case letters that are easily confused with each other (e.g. k and K, u and U, x and X, z and Z, o and O and zero).
How should errors be corrected?
This seven-page chapter gives examples of how to correct common errors. You can view this chapter as a PDF file or download it to your computer. We recommend that you print it out for your own use.
(Source: Székely Artúr, A korrektúrajelek alkalmazása [The use of correction marks], Budapest, 1961, excerpts.)
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