When it comes to writing of any kind, the term “proofreading” always comes up at some point during the process. It is a staple in the writing and writing-adjacent industries, repeated as many times as necessary to get the best possible result.
Proofreading is a process that dates to the “early days of printing” (Britannica). The document to be checked or made corrections on was called “proof,” defined by Merriam-Webster as “a copy… made for examination or correction”; hence, the term “proofreading.” A proofreader is the individual responsible for ensuring that the technical and mechanical aspects of the text appear as they should. This is usually mentioned in schools, where teachers ask their students to thoroughly review their outputs so they sound good.
Copyediting is a less common term in the general sphere, usually reserved for industries requiring more in-depth editing services.
According to Shona McCombes on Scribbr, “proofreading means carefully checking for errors in a text before it is published or shared. It is the very last stage of the writing process, when you fix minor spelling and punctuation mistakes, typos, formatting issues and inconsistencies.”
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