PROOFREADING

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the purpose of proofreading newspaper galley proofs and recognize the standard proofreader's marks.

Proofreading is one of the final steps in the printing process (from the standpoint of the JO, not the publisher).

After the publisher has typeset your copy, you will receive the initial copies of your typeset stories. These copies are called "galley proofs," "galleys" or just plain "proofs." The galley proof name originated in the printing profession many years ago. Proofs of long rows

of type came direct from the "galleys," or trays, in which the type sits until makeup time at the printshop.

WORKING WITH GALLEY PROOFS

Your job is to read through the galley proofs - every word and every punctuation mark - to make sure there are no errors and that they conform to the original copy. If an error is found, it will be connected at the expense of the publisher (in a commercial printshop). However, the cost of any changes in the original copy must be borne by your command, since they result in extra work for the publisher.

In photo-offset printing, you are likely to be given the complete paste-ups of pages (publisher's reproducible, sometimes called repros) for proofreading. Proofreading is usually done by all members of the newspaper staff and printshop personnel. The reason is obvious; checking the content of your publication is part of your job.

Figure 8-21. - Standard proofreader's marks.

Figure 8-22. - Proofreader's marks using the book system.

PROOFREADER'S MARKS

Proofreader's marks (fig. 8-21) and copy editing marks are, for practical purposes, the same. The main difference is in their usage.

There are two popular methods of noting proofreader's marks on galley proofs: the "book" and "guideline" systems. Both systems are covered in the following text.

Book System

In using the book system (fig. 8-22), you make two marks to correct each error: one under the error and one in the margin. Place a caret (A) under the error. In the margin, place the appropriate proofreading symbol level with the line in which the error occurs.

Guideline System

In the guideline system (fig. 8-23), you place the appropriate proofreading symbol in the margin and draw a line from it to the error. This is the most common form of using proofreader's marks.

Check with your editor or associate editor to see , which proofreading method is preferred.

Figure 8-23. - Proofreader's marks using the guideline system.