Hire a thorough proofreading service near you

Proofreading services consist of checking for minor errors in a text after copy editing and before publication. While just about anyone can proofread material (such as a tweet or a poster) before it goes out into the world, expert proofreading takes a lot more skill and eagle eyes. 

These are what you can more or less expect whenever you hire a proofreader through Airtasker: 

Preparing a proofreading guide

Your proofreader starts by making a checklist that covers the style guide you need to follow, any notes or instructions you may have, or notes from your professor that may factor into your text’s proofreading. 

Fact-checking

Next, your Tasker fact-checks any dates, numbers, figures, and proper names. If you forgot to include specific information in your thesis, the proofreader highlights this omission so that you can add it in later. 

Checking for spelling errors

The proofreader checks for any spelling errors. Even if they’re using a digital file and there are spell checkers on Word and Google Docs, it’s still helpful to have real human eyes go over your text. If you’re used to British English but need to write using American English, they may also be able to catch some spelling and word choice errors. 

Reading out loud (and backwards)

One helpful tip for proofreading even your own work is reading the text aloud and then reading it backwards. This step ensures that you don’t have any run-on sentences, that the material has a nice flow or cadence, and that you catch any errors you might have missed while reading silently. You can expect a good proofreader to do this at least once. 

Another way to spot errors is to read one line at a time. This helps the proofreader focus on verb tenses as well, so they can mark any areas where you got inconsistent while writing.  

Checking the format

This is vital when you’re submitting a thesis or dissertation, which may require precise margins, font sizes, and table or chart descriptions. Your proofreader also checks for page numbering, column alignment, headlines, subheadings, and footnotes or endnotes. 

Since they are working with proof of your final document, all these little (but noticeable) things should be taken care of. This way, the material you submit to your publisher or professor or distribute to your clients and customers is error-free.