Teacher Marks

Proofreaders' Marks for Electronic Text

and Teachers' Marks for Electronic Text

Increasingly, written work is passed to instructors or among reviewers without ever existing in printed hard copy. Recording editorial intent on the electronic format is challenging. Following are suggested marks to use for standard editorial comments. Whenever possible, standard marks from script proofreading are retained.

Traditional methods of editing include marks in the margins. Many electronic transmissions may not include margins (e.g., E-mail messages). However, Find or Search options (typically located under the "Edit" menu) enable easy location of marks within text.

A Simple Marking System

We have devised a marking system for electronic editing. The simplest level involves only 4 marks. More elaborate models are available for specific marking needs.

Specific codes may be added to the marks to refine and focus comment. If the symbol is likely to be used in the content discipline (e.g., the % for business) then the Editor may double the symbol (e.g., %%) to distinguish it from regular use. The Editor may choose to color the codes as a means of attracting the Author's attention and if the communication medium permits. However, the Author is advised to use the Search option in any event.

After making corrections, to ensure all of the marks have been eliminated, the Author should do a final Search for proofing marks. Because some of the marks may be used by the Author as part of the text, the Author should avoid having the software search and replace without personally verifying each instance.

More Elaborate System for Specific Needs

Proofreaders and Instructors have different objectives in marking papers. Proofreaders need a perfect final copy and thus must exactly mark the problem. Instructors want students to learn to evaluate their own writing and may only wish to provide a clue about the nature of the problem.

The Proofreader's marks follow immediately.

To practice using these marks, click here (http://www.wku.edu/~sally.kuhlenschmidt/proofprc.htm)

You will find marks designed specifically for the needs of the Instructor linked at the end of the page. Instructors may, of course, also use the proofreader's marks, depending on the level of the work being graded.

Proofreader's Marks for Electronic Text
Ascii Mark	Description	Original Text	Example	Corrected text	Script Mark
{ }	Contains commentary directed at the author about the material preceding the braces.	This is fine coffee.	This is fine coffee. {Are you sure you want to make such a strong judgement?}	I think this might be fine coffee.
{?}	Something is missing or unclear in this location.	This fine coffee.	This {?} fine coffee.	This is fine coffee.	out, sc
Insertion Marks. # is used because it is a traditional symbol for inserting spaces. Think of "pounding" the insertion into the text.
#- -#	Insert the words between the signs. If there is only one word or punctuation mark to be inserted, may just use #	a. This is coffee. b. This is coffee. c. Alot of people agree, thisis fine coffee. d. Mr Jones thinks this fine coffee.	a. This is #-fine Columbian-# coffee. b. This is #fine coffee. c. A#lot of people agree, this#is fine coffee. d. Mr#. Jones thinks this #is fine coffee.	a. This is fine Columbian coffee. b. This is fine coffee. c.A lot of people agree, this is fine coffee. d. Mr. Jones thinks this is fine coffee.
#P	Begin a paragraph.	blah blah blah. There are three concerns to be addressed.	blah blah blah. #PThere are three concerns to be addressed	blah blah blah. There are three concerns to be addressed

Deletion Marks: % was chosen to indicate delete because of its similarity to the script delete symbol.
Ascii Mark	Description	Original Text	Example	Corrected text	Script Mark
%- -%	Delete material between the symbols. If there is only one word or punctuation to be deleted, may just precede it with the %.	a. This is really absolutely fabulous fine coffee. b. This is really fine coffee. c. This is fine "coffee ". d. This is fine coffee..	a. This is %-really absolutely fabulous-% fine coffee. b. This is %really fine coffee. c. This is fine "coffee% ". d. This is fine coffee%..	a. This is fine coffee.   b. This is fine coffee.   c. This is fine "coffee". {Deletes a space.} d. This is fine coffee. {Deletes a period.}
%P	Remove the paragraph break. Attach this paragraph to the preceding paragraph.	Columbian coffee is the best. However, some individuals favor home ground beans.	Columbian coffee is the best. %P However, some individuals favor home ground beans.	Columbian coffee is the best. However, some individuals favor home ground beans.

Transformation Marks. * was chosen to represent more complex alterations. Think of being "starry-eyed" about achieving the ideal text.
Ascii Mark	Description	Original Text	Example	Corrected text	Script Mark
*	Spelling or word needs correcting. Includes transposed letters.	This are fine cfofee.	This *are fine *cfofee.	This is fine coffee.	sp, tr
*tr	Transpose next two words.	This is coffee fine.	This is *tr coffee fine.	This is fine coffee.	tr
*%{} *#x	Move indicated cluster of words to *#x. (Think of "x marks the spot to place it").	This is fine coffee. The CMA should be pleased.	*%{This is fine coffee.} The CMA should be pleased.*#x	The CMA should be pleased. This is fine coffee.
*so-	Spell out following abbreviation or write out a numeral.	The CMA should be pleased. I'll take 4, please.	The *so- CMA should be pleased. I'll take *so- 4, please.	The Coffee Manufacturer's Association should be pleased. I'll take four, please.
*c	Use capitals. A single *c means capitalize only the following letter.	john should be pleased.	*c john should be pleased.	John should be pleased.
*c- -c*	Capitalize all letters between the symbols.	This is fine coffee.	This is *c- fine -c* coffee.	This is FINE coffee.
*c{ }	Capitalize the first letter of each word contained within the braces.	The coffee manufacturer's association should be pleased.	The *c{coffee manufacturer's association} should be pleased.	The Coffee Manufacturer's Association should be pleased.
*l	Use lowercase, consistent with the rules for capitalization.	John should be Pleased.	John should be *lPleased.	John should be pleased.
*b- -b*	Bold enclosed.	This is fine coffee.	This is *b- fine -b*coffee.	This is fine coffee.
*i- -i*	Italicize enclosed.	This is fine coffee.	This is *i- fine -i*coffee.	This is fine coffee.
<--*	Move to the left.	This is fine coffee. This is fine coffee.	<--This is fine coffee.* {The entire sentence should be moved to the left.} <--This* is fine coffee. {Only the word "This" would be moved to the left.}	This is fine coffee. This is fine coffee.
*-->	Move to the right. {Use #P for indicating creation of a paragraph.}	This is fine coffee.	*This--> is fine coffee.	This is fine coffee.

To practice using these marks, click here (http://www.wku.edu/~sally.kuhlenschmidt/proofprc.htm)

Teacher marks can be found at http://www.wku.edu/~sally.kuhlenschmidt/proofrd2.htm