This chart shows a list of proofreading marks. These are symbols editors and teachers use to mark corrections on written work without rewriting the whole sentence.
Here is what each symbol in your chart means:
*
Insert (looks like a caret `^` or a loop): This means something is missing and needs to be added.
* *Example:* Adding "the" into the sentence "Sarah walked dog."
*
Transpose (looks like a vertical squiggle): This means two words or letters have swapped places and need to switch back.
* *Example:* Changing "Yes," said Mom, "OK," said Tom" so that Tom speaks first.
*
Delete (three horizontal lines with a slash): This means you should remove or cross out the marked text.
* *Example:* Removing "not" from "the dog is not cute."
*
Close up / Join (two arrows pointing at each other `< >`): This means two separate words should be joined together as one word.
* *Example:* Turning "I not like cats but I like dogs" into "I
don't like..." (Wait, looking at the example "I not like", usually this symbol joins split words like "every day" to "everyday". In the chart's specific example "I not like cats...", it seems to imply fixing spacing or joining parts, but standard usage is joining split words). *Correction based on standard marks:* The symbol shown is often used to close up space between words that shouldn't be separated.
*
Lowercase (a curved line over a letter): This means a capital letter should be changed to a small (lowercase) letter.
* *Example:* Changing "Joe is a Cow boy" to "Joe is a
cowboy."
*
Capitalize (three small lines under a letter): This means a lowercase letter should be changed to a capital letter.
* *Example:* Changing "do you like Cupcakes?" to "
Do you like cupcakes?"
*
Start new paragraph (symbol looks like a backward P or ¶): This indicates where a new paragraph should begin.
* *Example:* Starting a new paragraph for "My students are well behaved."
*
Circle: This usually highlights a spelling error or a word that needs attention/checking.
* *Example:* Circling "puppies" if it was misspelled or checking the number agreement.
*
Number sign (#): This means a numeral (number) should be used instead of writing the word out.
* *Example:* Changing "I have a dog" to "I have
1 dog" (or specifically changing written numbers to digits, e.g., "one" to "1"). *Note: The example says "I have a dog... is humorous". Actually, the # symbol typically means "insert space" or "use number". In many contexts, # means "number". Let's look at the example: "I have a dog named 8 humerus". It likely means changing a word to a number.*
*
Squiggly line (~): This often means "stet" (let it stand/ignore previous deletion) or sometimes indicates a wavy underline for style. However, in basic proofreading, a squiggly line through a word usually means delete, but a squiggly line *under* or just drawn might mean something else. Looking at the example "I am going to share thys the", it looks like a correction for a typo or rearrangement. *Actually, the last symbol is often "Stet" (dots under a deleted word) or a specific teacher mark. Given the example "share thys the", it implies fixing a jumbled word or typo.*
How to use this for homework:
If your teacher puts these marks on your paper, look at the symbol and match it to the "What it means" column to know how to fix your sentence.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of editing symbols worksheet.
