| Anyone can be a Freelance Editor or Proofreader. | | | | spelled correctly, but can't determine if it is the |
| That is, anyone with a good grasp of the English | | | | proper word to use in a statement. |
| language, or native language if you want to edit | | | | For instance, the sentence below was marked as |
| non-US documents. | | | | correct using a spelling/grammar-checking |
| Do you cringe at typos and grammatical errors in | | | | program: |
| newspapers, magazine articles, Internet articles | | | | Incorrect: The birds were in each of there nests. |
| and web sites? Do you find yourself correcting | | | | Correct: The birds were in each of their nests. |
| the errors as you read along? Then being a | | | | You can probably see the error, but these |
| freelance editor or proofreader might be the | | | | so-called "expert" programs cannot. And if you |
| home-based business for you. | | | | can't see the difference, then walk, no run to the |
| It's true that many freelance editors have college | | | | nearest door! |
| degrees with an English Major. Or at the very | | | | Seriously though, I read an article awhile back that |
| least, they've taken a good number of English | | | | proposed only using programs with spelling |
| classes. However, having a degree is not a | | | | grammar checkers. The article indicated that this |
| requirement for being a freelance editor. The only | | | | would be all you need to put a professional |
| real requirement is a good, no a great, grasp of | | | | document on the Internet - document meaning |
| the English language. There are many successful | | | | article or web page. |
| freelance editors today, who have taken some | | | | I am in no way stating you shouldn't use these |
| classes, but have no degree. Those editors have | | | | programs. I use them all the time, but only as a |
| a great grasp of the language. | | | | backup resource. I depend on my own knowledge |
| Be careful though. There are many confusing | | | | of the language to edit a document. Once my |
| properties of the English language. There are | | | | corrections are noted, I then run the document |
| many different parts to a sentence, a paragraph, | | | | through the spell/grammar checker. Sometimes it |
| and an entire paper. It's important to know about | | | | finds things that I missed; sometimes it finds |
| spelling and capitalization; but it's just as important | | | | things that are correct, yet marks them wrong. |
| to know when to use a comma versus a | | | | But they are very good at finding statements |
| semi-colon, and what exactly a dangling modifier is. | | | | written with a passive voice. For that I give them |
| If you think that just because you use a program | | | | credit. |
| that checks spelling and grammar, you're all set, | | | | Yet, I digress. If you are considering becoming a |
| you're dead wrong. These programs are limited in | | | | freelance editor or proofreader, I applaud you. |
| their capabilities. They can't check a writer's | | | | There is nothing like the satisfaction of knowing |
| intonation, intended purpose, or desired outcome. | | | | you've helped someone provide a professional |
| These programs often check to ensure a word is | | | | (edited) document for publication. |