Correction marks: examples and description

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Surely everyone has heard about the scrupulous and responsible work of the proofreader. Let us analyze in more detail the subject of his activity and get acquainted with the specific language of proofreading.

What is proofreading

Proofreading is a mandatory stage that any text must go through before publishing it in books, periodicals, websites and blogs. The specialist is obliged to eliminate all the shortcomings of the text: typos, errors, misprints, etc. If the text is handwritten, then the work of the editor-proofreader becomes much more complicated: he needs to check the manuscript, then typed machine text, and then already printed just before the book is published. During this work, proofreading marks are used, which we will discuss later.

How proofreading works

Mainly the printed version of the text is corrected, although many text editors have a review mode for the electronic version.

Proofreader corrections themselves must be clear and legible - a bright colored pen is used that contrasts with the color of the main text. The entry made should attract attention, not be too small and be understandable to the ruling text. itone of the reasons why standard correction marks are used.

How many revisions does a text need?

In order for the output text to be perfect, it must be passed through four types of editing:

• proofreading - carefully reading the text, the proofreader corrects its technical shortcomings and errors (at this moment, proofreading marks are applied);
• reconciliation - verification of corrections made by a specialist: line-by-line reading and the so-called through reading;
• Rereading - performed by two editorial staff: one reads the original aloud, and the other, listening, reads the corrected text and reports key discrepancies with the original;
• summary - a final check of all edits. It is usually produced in a printing house, when the correct arrangement of printed strips, sheets, templates, etc. is checked along the way.

What is a corrector sign?

First of all, it is necessary to clarify that the widespread and widely used phrase "corrector sign" is not entirely true. GOST 7.62-2008, which contains image standards for these characters, calls such designations proofreading (used for proofreading, not proofreading).

One way or another, proofreading (proofreading) signs are standard conditional images of actions that should be subsequently taken by the correcting text specialist. Standard proofreading symbols are needed so that there are no misunderstandings when reading the proofreader's comments, so that the proofreader perceives the icon in the same sense that the conductor put into it.proofreading.

Types of text proofreading marks

Correction marks (comma insertion, image alignment, indent insertion, etc.) are strictly divided into separate categories:

Changing, inserting, deleting characters, individual letters and lines:

• replacing an erroneous character;
• Mistake in capitalization or lowercase;
• dash and hyphen confusion;
• replacing a large number of characters with one or more others;
• editing a large amount of text;
• choose a different type of ruler: thin, bold, bold;
• insert forgotten single character;
• insert a large amount of missing letters, lines:
• remove an unnecessary character, line;
• combined signs of change and throwing away of erroneous or extra letters, words.

Correction characters in the table below clearly illustrates.

2. Permutation symbols:

• change places of adjacent characters or whole words, sentences;
• sign for arranging words in a different order (serial numbers above them set this order);
• rearrangement of several words into another sentence;
• moving the element to the drawn border;
• move up/down the "runaway" from the word line.

3. Space change:

• increase space between character set;
• reduce space between words;
• remove the space character.

4. Paragraph, indent, font:

• set the indent in the settings or correct it to the specified parameters;
• remove the "red" line;
• merge paragraphs;
• change font style to italic;
• make a discharge (type a word with a space inside);
• change style to bold, bold, bold italic;
• change font name, font size (size);
• replace the discharge with regular spelling.

5. Correction signs and standards for replacing letters of one alphabet with symbols of another:

• write the transcription of the Greek alphabet character;
• specify the transcription of the Gothic character;
• replace with Latin letter;
• replace with a handwritten Latin or Cyrillic character.

Signs for elements, layouts, typing errors

6. Characters for correcting the position of elements in the text:

• indicating the proper location in the text of diagrams, photos, drawings, tables;
• shift element to the right or left to the drawn limits;
• lower/raise line;
• rearrange the text and the inserted element higher by the specified number of lines or move to the previous page;
• move the selected text or element down the specified number of lines or to the next page.

7. Symbols for editing the technical flaws of the typed test:

• turn symbol "up"feet";
• remove a wide space (corridor) repeating vertically in several lines;
• align text edges;
• correction of curvature of terms, "jumping" letters;
• remove double spaces;
• strengthen/weaken the onslaught;
• remove elements that make the onslaught incorrect;
• cancel own fix;
• translate the word correctly.

8. Correction of page layout, printed illustration:

• image sizes before and after cropping (mm);
• Basic paint color icons by the first letter of its name ("h" - black, "p" - magenta (red), "g" - yellow, etc.);
• additional paint - abbreviated name ("violet" - purple);
• decrease/increase contrast;
• tone alignment;
• remove blurring of edges or outlines in an image;
• removing an image or its details;
• flip the picture by a given degree value;
• mirror illustration;
• change the image completely;
• improve image quality in shadow/highlight/midtones.

These are the main proofreading marks and their style standards.

Basic rules for the use of signs

When proofreading text using the mentioned symbols according to GOST, it is required:

1. Put proofreading marks on the right margin of the sheet.
2. Display a sign opposite the corrected line.
3. The same characters should not be repeated more than 8-10 lines apart.
4. If there are several corrections, characters are placed on both fields, depending on which edge of the text is closer to the corrected object.
5. Strikethrough text must remain legible.
6. Flags at the place of correction should look in the direction where the badge is taken out.
7. If the proofreader inserts a text longer than a line for correction, then it must be printed.
8. Lines connecting the correction to the character in the margin can only be used in multi-column text.
9. Only pen corrections are valid, no pencil corrections.

These are the basic elements of proofreading any text. Of course, at first glance, the GOST requirements seem overstated, but this is a necessary measure to facilitate mutual understanding between the proofreader and the proofreader.