Morse: marginal correction codes
See standard proofreading codes at http://www.journalismcareers.com/articles/proofreadingsymbols.shtml
, !! = good point, well said, bravo!
? = individual word, phrase not clear
X = mistake in point of fact or interpretation
[xxx], added brackets: consider deleting “xxx”
[crossed out]: needless word/phrase/clause/sentence/paragraph
= awkward (or non-existent) transition between paragraphs
s/b = should be [“just say ‘no!’ to drugs!” s/b: “just say ‘no, thank you!’ to drugs!”
sl = slang or other undesirable usage (e.g., “impacted” instead of “affected”; “based off of” instead of “based on”)
cl = cliché – overused expressions [“don’t go there,” “as if,” “X is the new Y,” “close call”—etc, etc!]
red = redundant [“a female girl,” “a humorous joke”]
fr = sentence fragment (missing one or more of subject/verb/object)
sp = word misspelled; don’t rely on spell checkers, use your brain and a good dictionary!
WW = wrong word or wrong usage; find a (simpler) word that says what you’re aiming for clearly
H [circled] = hype; don’t make a sales pitch, make a description, an analysis, explanation, or argument; artistic
praise or blame is never the point in this course work!
V [circled] = vague; point is not clear
AWK = awkward, e.g. “She walked tip-toe-ishly” [s/b: “she tip-toed”]
PV = awkward or ill-advised use of the passive voice [“It is thought that” instead of “I think”]
EXPL = explain, please; spell out the reasoning for what you’re saying
EXAG = exaggeration
IYO = "in your opinion"; i.e., statement unfounded, groundless
DIF = Don’t invent facts; write simple declarative statements—but make sure their contents are defensible
R/O = run-on sentence; make sure you express only a single thought with a single sentence
Q - ~Q = contradiction; the passage marked ‘Q’ is contradicted by the passage marked ‘~Q’
NTP SVP = no title page, s’il vous plait!
WMS! = WRITE MORE SIMPLY!!! Use simpler words, and less of them! [“At this point in time” s/b: “now”]
PR! = PROOFREAD!! Do NOT submit work you have not checked for errors.
- These words that are so regularly misused that they are BANNED: within, portray, hold, represent, “relate to,”
instill, society (as an agent, e.g., “society made her a star”; ‘society’ cannot do anything), upbeat, basically,
literally, certainly/surely/plainly/obviously, many/most/everyone/anyone, lifestyle
Evaluation and other codes
X (or RW) = not accepted; rewrite necessary for credit
( ) = cannot evaluate the work in its present form, and/or don’t know which assignment it is
SMP = See me, please
- Word does NOT number the pages by default; please NUMBER your pages
- Always put your name on everything; always include a clear and indicative title ; please do NOT include a
separate title page; no particular reference format is required; for course material, just indicate the (course
reading) title, author and page #; if you do include outside sources, use a consistent and clear format
- Proofread & edit everything you submit; have faith in yourself, take pride in your work, say what you
believe–and believe what you say!
See standard proofreading codes at http://www.journalismcareers.com/articles/proofreadingsymbols.shtml
, !! = good point, well said, bravo!
? = individual word, phrase not clear
X = mistake in point of fact or interpretation
[xxx], added brackets: consider deleting “xxx”
[crossed out]: needless word/phrase/clause/sentence/paragraph
= awkward (or non-existent) transition between paragraphs
s/b = should be [“just say ‘no!’ to drugs!” s/b: “just say ‘no, thank you!’ to drugs!”
sl = slang or other undesirable usage (e.g., “impacted” instead of “affected”; “based off of” instead of “based on”)
cl = cliché – overused expressions [“don’t go there,” “as if,” “X is the new Y,” “close call”—etc, etc!]
red = redundant [“a female girl,” “a humorous joke”]
fr = sentence fragment (missing one or more of subject/verb/object)
sp = word misspelled; don’t rely on spell checkers, use your brain and a good dictionary!
WW = wrong word or wrong usage; find a (simpler) word that says what you’re aiming for clearly
H [circled] = hype; don’t make a sales pitch, make a description, an analysis, explanation, or argument; artistic
praise or blame is never the point in this course work!
V [circled] = vague; point is not clear
AWK = awkward, e.g. “She walked tip-toe-ishly” [s/b: “she tip-toed”]
PV = awkward or ill-advised use of the passive voice [“It is thought that” instead of “I think”]
EXPL = explain, please; spell out the reasoning for what you’re saying
EXAG = exaggeration
IYO = "in your opinion"; i.e., statement unfounded, groundless
DIF = Don’t invent facts; write simple declarative statements—but make sure their contents are defensible
R/O = run-on sentence; make sure you express only a single thought with a single sentence
Q - ~Q = contradiction; the passage marked ‘Q’ is contradicted by the passage marked ‘~Q’
NTP SVP = no title page, s’il vous plait!
WMS! = WRITE MORE SIMPLY!!! Use simpler words, and less of them! [“At this point in time” s/b: “now”]
PR! = PROOFREAD!! Do NOT submit work you have not checked for errors.
- These words that are so regularly misused that they are BANNED: within, portray, hold, represent, “relate to,”
instill, society (as an agent, e.g., “society made her a star”; ‘society’ cannot do anything), upbeat, basically,
literally, certainly/surely/plainly/obviously, many/most/everyone/anyone, lifestyle
Evaluation and other codes
X (or RW) = not accepted; rewrite necessary for credit
( ) = cannot evaluate the work in its present form, and/or don’t know which assignment it is
SMP = See me, please
- Word does NOT number the pages by default; please NUMBER your pages
- Always put your name on everything; always include a clear and indicative title ; please do NOT include a
separate title page; no particular reference format is required; for course material, just indicate the (course
reading) title, author and page #; if you do include outside sources, use a consistent and clear format
- Proofread & edit everything you submit; have faith in yourself, take pride in your work, say what you
believe–and believe what you say!
