Chances are when you think of editing or proofreading, the first thing that might come to mind is a long-repressed memory of your English teacher marking up your paper with a red pen. We’ve all been there, and it wasn’t much fun.
But times have changed since then. Modern technology has made so many more options available, and there is an editing/proofreading style to match nearly any client’s preference.
If you’re a client who wants to be able to easily compare the edited document with your original document, I would suggest requesting the document be formatted in Microsoft Word. Word’s Track Changes feature is very easy to use, and what I love most about it is that you can easily toggle between views to see the changes made against your original content.
If you’re more of a visual learner and want to be able to easily spot corrections, it’s probably a good idea to request the edited document be delivered to you in PDF format. Programs like Adobe Acrobat allow me to make marks in the document using strikethroughs, highlighting, and the comments feature. I can also type text anywhere in the document to, for example, write the correct spelling right next to a misspelled word. This format can make it easier for you to interpret where the corrections are and how many there are since the corrections visually pop out on the page.
Of course, the pen and paper method is always an option for those who prefer a tangible format. There are always going to be people who just prefer something they can hold in their hands, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The ink doesn’t have to be red (ha ha), but it is important that the editing marks are in a different color than the original writing so that the corrections are easy for you to spot.
In the end, it’s really up to you the client to decide what works best for you. When I complete a project for you, I will ask which format you would like the edited version to be in. As your editor/proofreader, it’s my job to make sure you are satisfied, and to me, that’s all that matters.
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