Proofreading is the final step in the content drafting and editing process. In this step, the proofreader will work to ensure that comma usage, grammar, spelling, links, and other sentence-level details are correct. The proofreader is always a Digital Content Communicators (DCC) team member.
Reviewing Proofreading Criteria
Most punctuation, grammar, and spelling edits should be made using the Google Doc Editing function.
If more major edits concerning word choice, links, alt text, or significant sentence-structure issues must be made, use the Suggesting or Comment functions and tag the content editor.
Proofreading criteria:
- Commas are used appropriately.
- Oxford (serial) commas are used in series with more than three or more items.
- Commas are not used at the end of unnumbered or numbered lists.
- All links go to the correct web pages.
- Grammar and sentence structure are correct.
- All images include alt text.
- Extra HTML is removed.
- The University of Minnesota is referenced correctly.
- All lists end with the same punctuation (or none at all).
- Words are spelled correctly.
- Paragraphs are indented correctly and formatted correctly.
- Verbs in a sentence are all in the same tense.
- Subjects and verbs agree.
- There are no run-on sentences.
- Proper nouns are capitalized and common nouns are not capitalized.
Finishing Proofreading
Once the proofreader has reviewed the content, they should communicate with the DCC Lead and the SME to inform them.
If significant revisions to the content organization or message are needed after the content edit, do not complete the proofread until they are resolved by the SME.
Proofreading is intended to be the final quality assurance check and any edits made at this stage should not change the meaning of the message.