Module 2: Working On Pdfs and Digital Material (B) : The Checklist Approach
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antcbeModule 2: Working On Pdfs and Digital Material (B) : The Checklist Approach
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antcbeModule 2: Working on PDFs and digital material (b)
The checklist approach
In the ground we have covered so far, we have gradually added more and more for you to think
about when carrying out a proofreading job. What is the best way for you to remember all the
points you must be aware of? Professional proofreaders find that making checklists is by far the
most productive and efficient way to work: list all the items that the job contains, then work your
way through them one by one, ticking them off as you go. This method ensures that everything is
covered – you are not relying on your memory! It also helps your brain to focus on the task at
hand as you will not be distracted by anxiety that you’ve forgotten something.
Here is an example of a short checklist that you could have used to guide your approach to the
previous exercise:
Checklist:
spelling
punctuation
grammar
names
need for italic, bold, underline, capitals etc.
justification and indention
ordering of contents, e.g. numbering sequences
presence of everything mentioned (e.g. details on order form)
appropriate language for the intended reader
If you are given a detailed brief for a job, write down all the elements of that brief in your
checklist. It is a good idea to read the brief before you start the job, and then again at the end, to
make sure that you’ve covered everything it requires. Here again the checklist can help you: don’t
tick something until you’re sure you’ve done it, and done it properly!
Let us move straight on to Exercise 2.2, where you will have to check many items that must
conform to the client’s preferred style. If you are given a stack of information all at once, it is
helpful to separate out the various instructions and list them all individually – you are then much
more likely to deal with them all. Try drawing up your own checklist following the example given
above.
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