Page 127 - How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 8th Edition 8th Edition

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I mentioned the havoc that could occur from a misplaced decimal point. This observation leads to a general rule in
proofreading. Examine each and every number carefully. Be especially careful in proofing the tables. This rule is
important for two reasons. First, errors frequently occur in keyboarding numbers, especially in tabular material.
Second, you are the only person who can catch such errors. Most spelling errors are caught in the printer's proofroom
or in the journal's editorial office. However, these professional proofreaders catch errors by "eyeballing" the proofs;
the proofreader has no way of knowing that a "16" should really be "61."

Marking the Corrections

When you find an error on a page proof, it is important that the error be marked twice, once at the point where it
occurs and once in the margin opposite where it occurs. The compositor uses the margin marks to identify the errors.
A correction indicated only in the body of the typeset material could easily be missed; the marginal notation is needed
to call attention to it. This double marking system is illustrated in Fig. 11.

If you indicate your corrections clearly and intelligibly, the appropriate corrections will probably be made. However,
you can reduce the chance of misunderstanding and save time for yourself and all concerned if you use established
proofreaders' marks. These marks are a language universally used in all kinds of publishing. Thus, if you will take the
time to learn just a few of the elements of this language, you will be able to use them in proofing any and all kinds of
typeset material that you may be involved with throughout your career. The most common proofreaders' marks are
listed in Table 10.

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