Proofreading 101

Proofreading 101

Editing and proofreading isn’t always just about finding spelling errors in books and articles.  You have to check grammar, verb agreement, and verb tense consistency.  A document needs to stay true to the purpose behind writing it in the first place.  (This is why some people make a living doing it.  It’s harder than it sounds.)  Almost anything you could think of that has words should probably be proofread.  Fortunately for us, not everything is. 

Here’s something people don’t always think to review: Uniform Resource Locators.  (Uniform whaty-whats?)  URLs.  Website addresses.  (Like http://dryhumordaily.blogspot.com/).  We can even screw up something as simple as that.  Here, I’ve rounded up a few humorous examples of URL oversight.  All of these still work, by the way.  And they’re safe.

#1 www. whorepresents.com

-This is for that special someone on your Christmas list

#2 www.penisland.net  

-Probably not a good spot for a first date

#3 www.experts-exchange.com  (formerly www.expertsexchange.com)

-You don’t want just any guys off the street

#4 www.therapistfinder.com 

-Kind of like speed dating, except it’s a felony

#5 www.speedofart.com  

-It happens to the best of us

So if you’re thinking about writing something, have someone look it over.  (Especially URLs, which tend to mash words together.) A second set of eyes is always a good thing because what may sound good in your head may not come across the same to the rest of the world.