Hiring a proofreader is a difficult task, and there is a lot to pay attention to. This is understandable because you want to ensure that the professional proofreading services you receive are the best fit for improving your written work.
An important element to consider when hiring a proofreader is what a proofreader can and can’t do. Whether you are writing a blog article, an academic paper, or new content for a website, knowing what your professional proofreading service will and won’t include is critical for your project.
This article provides a series of basic lists covering the tasks that a proofreader can and can’t complete for your document. If you’re unsure about any of these items or want more detail, always remember to communicate with your proofreader since they will be able to clarify.
Included tasks in proofreading
- Correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation
- Ensuring consistent style
- Double-checking document layout and numbering
The items above show the fundamental tasks involved in a professional proofreading service.
Depending on the proofreading company you work with, the service may go into more depth than this. For example, some proofreaders, in addition to these basic duties, may perform a fact-checking function or an editing function.
It’s always worth checking with the freelancer or company you are working with to determine the exact scope of the professional proofreading services they provide.
Image: Knowing the scope of a writing-related service is important
Excluded tasks in proofreading
- Improving use of language in terms of concision, pronoun use, and so on
- Enhancing document’s fit with intended audience
- Ensuring document conforms to specified style guide
The items above are examples of tasks that are not included in a typical proofreading service, but which customers commonly believe might be.
For example, the first item of improving use of language in terms of pronoun use of concision is the task of an editor rather than a proofreader.
In addition, the task of ensuring that a document conforms to a specified style guide (e.g., the APA style) is a time-consuming task that a proofreader would not be expected to perform.
Image: Choosing a style guide is not a task a proofreader would complete
If you are ordering a proofreading service, it is worth bearing in mind the tasks that are usually excluded from a standard service. If you need any of these tasks to be performed for your document, then you may need to speak to an editor.
Most of the companies that offer proofreading services also perform services that cover aspects of writing such as editing, fact-checking, formatting, and original writing.
Professional Proofreading Services 