EDITING SYMBOLS

Proofreading marks, also known as editing symbols, are a system of standardized symbols used to indicate corrections and changes in written text. These marks are typically handwritten on a document to highlight errors in punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and more. They allow editors and proofreaders to communicate needed changes clearly and efficiently.

Here's a breakdown of common editing symbols and their meanings:

1. Punctuation:

Insert a comma: ,

Insert a period: .

Insert a semicolon: ;

Insert a colon: :

Insert an apostrophe: '

Insert quotation marks: "

Insert parentheses: ()

Insert brackets: []

Insert an ellipsis: ...

Insert an en dash: –

Insert an em dash: —

Insert a hyphen: =

2. Spelling and Word Choice:

Delete: del or ^ (with a line through the text)

Delete and close up: ⁐

Transpose: tr or ~ (switch the order of letters, words, or phrases)

Spell out: spo

Replace: ^ (with suggested replacement in margin)

Wrong word: WW

Correct spelling: sp

3. Capitalization and Formatting:

Capitalize: caps (or underline the initial letter of the word)

Lowercase: lc

Bold: bf (or a wavy underline)

Italics: ital (or a single underline)

Flush left: fl

Flush right: fr

Center: ] [

Move text left: [

Move text right: ]

Begin a new paragraph: ¶

No paragraph: ¶ no

Let it stand: stet (often used with a dashed underline)

Close up: ⁐ (remove extra space)

4. Spacing:

Insert space: #

Make spacing equal: eq #

5. Other Common Symbols:

Insert: ^ (with the inserted text in the margin)

Insert a supersript: ^

Insert a subscript: v

Transpose: tr or ~ (with a line over the text)

Wrong font: wf

Too wordy: WDY

Awkward wording: AWK

Insert Hairspace: h #

Substitute/replace: s/r

Although a significant amount of editing and proofreading is now done using tools such as Microsoft’s track changes feature and Adobe’s commenting tool, you may find yourself faced with traditional proofreading marks and symbols on a printed document someday.

The following list shows some of the most common proofreading marks and symbols used by proofreaders and editors – and explains their meaning (note that some proofreaders will use different symbols than those shown here; if you see a symbol on a document and you’re not sure what it means, ask your proofreader).

Proofreading mark insert symbol Insert something; the text to be inserted will likely be provided in the margin