Want a job as a Proof Reader?

Bretrick

Bretrick

Well-known Member
Location
Perth Western Australia
Surely a rather simple job as long as you have a complete understanding of your written language.
Came across something I have never seen in my life in a released printed work.
Reading Bryce Courtenay's book, The Potato Factory, as printed;
"Mary now became conscious that, in the short time she'd been in Mr Goldstein's office, the warehouse had short time she'd been in Mr Goldstein's office, the warehouse had filled with the hum of people going about their work"
 

I acted as proof reader on my oldest son's (Dr. George W. Anderson) first technical books. Thankfully he knows his English and grammar so my job was not all that hard. I have to say it really bugs me when I see an "error" in the newspaper or a book (and even the internet).
 
As a certified English teacher although I did not long work as one, I was often asked to proof read the work of others, including doctoral dissertations. I never cease to be amazed at the number of glaring errors that I see in print almost daily, including advertising copy!

As for the internet, it’s a depressing study of words in print filled with errors, some unintentionally amusing and others downright sad! 😾
 
When I worked at Queen's Park as a civil servant, I used to proof-read documents with another young woman. They were rather boring .. "pursuant to, etc. etc."

I guess you could call me picky, but it irks me to find errors while reading a book.
 
I was a Proof Reader many times, for different fields: academic and Direct Mail Fundraising. Also Proof read University newsletters.

eta
I forgot I was a Paralegal & proof read that lawyer legal stuff as well.
 
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Mobilman44 said:
I acted as proof reader on my oldest son's (Dr. George W. Anderson) first technical books. Thankfully he knows his English and grammar so my job was not all that hard. I have to say it really bugs me when I see an "error" in the newspaper or a book (and even the internet).
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Is your son the Pastor of St. Luke CC of Chester, PA?
 
OR, @Mobilman44

"George W. Anderson​

George Anderson is a program director for Microsoft and an adjunct professor and guest lecturer for several universities. George holds Stanford Innovation & Entrepreneurship as well as Innovation Leadership credentials, PMIs Wicked Problem Solving and Proscis Change Practitioner certifications, an MBA with a focus in Human Resource Management, and a PhD in Applied Management and Decision Sciences."
 
I used to hire myself out to type up college/HS papers. Before computers and word programs. My cousin called and asked if I would help a friend out. I said fine. I got the paper, and read it over before starting to type. It was SO full of grammatical and spelling errors I had trouble following his train of thought.
I was fine with a couple simple errors now and then...human and all. But this was so bad I brought it to my cousin and gave it back....said I could not do it . My cousin was shocked and said he was sorry
 
Pinky said:
When I worked at Queen's Park as a civil servant, I used to proof-read documents with another young woman. They were rather boring .. "pursuant to, etc. etc."

I guess you could call me picky, but it irks me to find errors while reading a book.
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Gawd..Pinks, y posts must drive you NUTS.... My keyboard is a dyslexic PITA as you all will have noticed, it misses letters galore.. adds letters, adds periods where there shouldn't be any... Drives me nuts never mind a Proof reader....:ROFLMAO:
 
Tommy said:
With advances in computer technology, the human proofreader should soon become a thing of the past.

After all, look at what computer spell checkers do for us already. :) :unsure::LOL::ROFLMAO:
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Predictive text is a frequent cause of confusing texts between individuals and some of the autocorrect programs on websites don't have half the vocabulary some of us do and so you have ignore some underlines or be constantly interrupting your train of thought to add a word to their dictionary.
 
Pepper said:
OR, @Mobilman44

"George W. Anderson​

George Anderson is a program director for Microsoft and an adjunct professor and guest lecturer for several universities. George holds Stanford Innovation & Entrepreneurship as well as Innovation Leadership credentials, PMIs Wicked Problem Solving and Proscis Change Practitioner certifications, an MBA with a focus in Human Resource Management, and a PhD in Applied Management and Decision Sciences."
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This is he.....
 
Pinky said:
I guess you could call me picky, but it irks me to find errors while reading a book.
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I've proofread for pay a lot in the past.

I've found a simple error here and there in virtually all the books I've read, including those by well-established publishers and well-respected authors.

I've written for publication since 1980, and my first drafts are always pretty terrible (content issues, phrase order, word selection, punctuation). I do my best before submitting to editors of magazines, newspapers, or online equivalents. Even posting here at SF, my first click at "post reply" is often a pretty shabby post, and I often touch up by using the "edit" option.
 
I belong to two groups on FB.

Captain Grammar Pants is very nice. I like many of her explanations.

The Grammar Police are often not very nice. Let’s just say some of them are extremely sanctimonious. Still, there‘re are some interesting questions.

I never reply to anything; I’m there to read and learn.

Kids are expected to learn grammar by reading. If that’s true, good proofreaders are essential.
 
Tommy said:
With advances in computer technology, the human proofreader should soon become a thing of the past.

After all, look at what computer spell checkers do for us already. :) :unsure::LOL::ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
Not really. I've been a professional editor for more than 25 years. I very much doubt computer technology will eradicate proofreading. Spell check helps but is not infallible: Think marital vs. martial, undeserved vs. underserved, and so on. Spell check does not catch these because it doesn't look at context. I've tried Grammarly, and it catches some technical errors, but most of its other suggestions are wrong. Just about every publishing service prohibits its use.
 
Bretrick said:
Surely a rather simple job as long as you have a complete understanding of your written language.
Came across something I have never seen in my life in a released printed work.
Reading Bryce Courtenay's book, The Potato Factory, as printed;
"Mary now became conscious that, in the short time she'd been in Mr Goldstein's office, the warehouse had short time she'd been in Mr Goldstein's office, the warehouse had filled with the hum of people going about their work"
Click to expand...
I saw typos in textbooks regularly. Once a kid pointed one out to me. He felt very smart and I told him he was right, and yup, sometimes even with all the checking before printing, grown-ups still make mistakes.

I most recelty saw one in a non-fiction book I’m reading. No big deal. If you read often you will inevitably find them.
 

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