This course is suitable for beginners contemplating a career as a proofreader and for those who need to proofread as part of their job but have had little formal training.
'Proofreading' can mean different things in different contexts. This course looks at the role of a proofreader, what kinds of errors they are looking for and how much they should change. It introduces three major ways of working: on PDFs, on paper using BSI marks and using Word. In workshops, each delegate receives a free copy of the BSI's 8-page laminated list of proofreading marks, which normally sells for £20.
This course teaches the very basics of proofreading; on its own it does not provide the thorough grounding needed to work as a professional proofreader. Apart from introducing the basics of proofreading, the course is designed as a taster to answer the question ‘Is proofreading for me?' You will need further training and practice to become a competent proofreader.
At the end of this course, you will not have sufficient training to start work. We suggest that you consolidate your skills with Proofreading 2: Headway.
It is now very clear to me that there is a very large and precise skill set required to be a proofreader and it is not simply a matter of being a relatively literate person. This course has given me a good insight into the complexity.
It was pitched at the right level, scary enough to make you think, but also providing the information and exercises to start to give you confidence.
This is a self-assessed course. You will be assigned a tutor who will be available for up to 1 hour of support (usually by email) but the tutor does not mark any of your work.
When you have finished the course you can download and print a certificate that states that you have completed the course.