Various channels pout hundreds of thousands of words into newsroom daily. Sub-editors select important news and articles amongst them. After necessary editing they are sent to the composing section. The composed matter has to undergo another crucial and important stage i.e. proof-reading whereby not only the errors made by the composing machine operator or printer are removed but a/so the errors that might have escaped the news desk are corrected
Chambers English dictionary has defined proof-reading as an impression taken on a slip of a paper for correction before printing finally. While the impression itself is called the proof. The person who marks the errors is called proof-reader
Proof reader checks proofs against the typescript. Proof reading can be organised in various ways: a copy holder may read the typescript mentioning punctuation, capital letters, italics, etc to the proof-reader who is checking the proof; the proof-reader may himself read the typescript into a tape recorder and then play it back while he checks the proof, or he may compare the typescript with the proof a few words at a time. However, the first method is found more desirable one which has two persons, the copy holder and proof reader, as proofreading team.
There are three major kinds of proofs. They are given below:
1. Galley proof
2. Page proof
3. Imposed proof
Though this kind of proof has got its name from the long tray of galley used to hold the type but computer has changed the proofing scenario completely. Now the composing section after composing the edited type script draws a print out of the matter and sends it to the proofing desk for proofing. This print out is now called galley proof. Proofreaders correct the proof and later send it for insertion of the marked corrections. Important matter is sent again to the proofing desk to check whether the corrections are carried out or otherwise. This proof is called revised galley proof
I) Page Proofs
These are proofs cut into individual pages. This kind of proof is common in book printing. In newspaper there is no concept of individual pages at the stage of composition of the matter, however, the pasted pages which are sent for the final checking to a senior sub editor is also called page proof. If the sub-editor finds any error in the page (pasted page) he marks it.
II) Imposed Proofs
These proofs are printed 011 both sides of the paper with pages in their final position. This kind of proof is exclusively used in book printing.
Duties of Proofreader
i. Proof reader must correct all errors made by the pi inter.
ii. He must correct all errors which may have escaped the copy desk before the stories were set for composing
Proofreading Procedure
iii. All galley proofs must be checked with the original copy.
iv. When proof reader reads the proof without copy holder, he should follow the copy closely.
v. The revised galley should be checked with the first galley proof to make sure that all corrections have been made
vi. While correcting the revised galley proof, the proofreader should read carefully the line which containing the original error.
vii. Since page proofs are exact replicas of the finished pages, they should be read carefully to catch any error, not caught on the galley proofs.
viii. Correction should be marked in the nearer margin and level with the error.
ix. If there is complicated change in the words’ order a whole phrase should be written in the margin.
x. Keep the marginal corrections short and clear. If only one letter is wrong, merely cross out that letter and put the correct letter followed by oblique stroke in the margin.