Alan Sharpe's Proofreading Masterclass (Digital & Print)

To learn proofreading effectively, you need both the right knowledge and consistent practice. This masterclass provides both! Understanding common proofreading errors – where they appear, how they occur, and how to correct them – is the first step. But true proofreading skills are honed through repetition and dedicated practice.

I'm Alan Sharpe, a writer and writing trainer with over 30 years of experience in the field. I started my proofreading career in 1989, initially working on complex documents like annual reports and royal commission files for the federal government. With no prior experience, I learned to identify and correct a wide range of errors, including dangling modifiers, capitalization errors, punctuation mistakes, comma splices, and redundancies. I built my expertise through books and, most importantly, consistent practice.

This proofreading masterclass equips you with the knowledge and hands-on practice to confidently offer your proofreading services. You’ll learn to identify 180 common errors categorized into 26 distinct areas, including issues with headings, spacing, grammar, citations, and more.

The course structure emphasizes practical application. After each lesson, you’ll complete three quick exercises to reinforce your learning. The core of the course involves working through 80 targeted proofreading exercises designed to develop your proofreading muscle memory. These short, multiple-choice exercises help you quickly spot and fix mistakes.

This course is specifically designed for the modern proofreader. While I also cover traditional proofreading techniques using paper and red pens, the focus is on mastering proofreading digital documents. You'll learn how to identify and correct errors in Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat PDF files.

By the end of this masterclass, you'll know:

• The most common proofreading errors to look for.
• Where and how to effectively spot these errors.
• How to use Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat to correct them.
• The importance of consistent proofreading practice for skill development.

If you're ready to turn your interest in proofreading into a career, and your only limitations are a lack of knowledge and practice, this masterclass is for you. Enroll now and start building your proofreading expertise!