Proofreading & Editing Proofreading Marks & Symbols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In digital proofreading, what is a 'comment bubble' used for?
- To delete unwanted sections
- To leave editorial notes or queries without altering the main text (Correct answer)
- To automatically correct spelling errors
- To highlight formatting changes
Correct answer: To leave editorial notes or queries without altering the main text
Comment bubbles allow editors to leave notes, questions, or suggestions in the margin without modifying the main document text.
Question 2: What does three underlines under a letter in proofreading markup indicate?
- Delete the letter
- Italicize the letter
- Capitalize the letter (use uppercase) (Correct answer)
- Bold the letter
Correct answer: Capitalize the letter (use uppercase)
Three underlines beneath a letter is the traditional proofreading mark instructing the typesetter to capitalize the letter.
Question 3: What does the abbreviation 'lc' mean in proofreading markup?
- Last correction
- Lowercase (change to lowercase) (Correct answer)
- Line count
- Left-center alignment
Correct answer: Lowercase (change to lowercase)
'Lc' stands for lowercase and instructs the typesetter to change the marked text from uppercase to lowercase.
Question 4: Which proofreading mark indicates that a letter or word should be bolded?
- A wavy underline (Correct answer)
- A single straight underline
- A tilde (~)
- A circled 'B'
Correct answer: A wavy underline
A wavy underline in traditional proofreading markup instructs the typesetter to apply bold formatting to the marked text.
Question 5: What does 'sp' mean when written in the margin next to a word?
- Start a new paragraph
- Spelling error — check the spelling of this word (Correct answer)
- Add a space here
- Spell out an abbreviation
Correct answer: Spelling error — check the spelling of this word
'Sp' written in the margin flags a spelling error in the marked word and asks the proofreader or typesetter to verify and correct the spelling.
Question 6: What does the proofreading mark '^' (caret) signal?
- Delete text at this point
- Insert text or a character at this position (Correct answer)
- Move this text to the right
- Begin a new paragraph
Correct answer: Insert text or a character at this position
A caret (^) placed in the text indicates where an insertion should be made, with the inserted text written above or in the margin.
Proofreading & Editing Proofreading Marks & Symbols 2
In digital proofreading, what is a 'comment bubble' used for?