If this is your first time editing a project and you want to double check your work, but you're not sure where to start, or you merely need a refresher on areas to pay particular attention to during the proofing process, we have outlined a few of these areas below.

Although this checklist is by no means all-inclusive, it is a good starting point and refresher as you review your work. The steps identified below are applicable to print and electronic data.

Basic Review Steps

	Ensure you are reviewing the most current version of the content and not a prior version.
	If possible, print out a hard copy of your text to review. Oftentimes, it is easier to catch mistakes while reviewing proof on paper rather than reviewing on a computer monitor.
	Although spell checkers are not perfect, be sure to take advantage of the spell checker built into the software program you use.
	Have someone else review your work. A fresh set of eyes reviewing the work will often find errors that you have overlooked.

Checking the Details

	Ensure footers and headers are correct.
	Set off paragraphs with either an indent or added space above—not both.
	Heads and subheads should be clearly connected to the text that follows; add more space above than below.
	Do not use underlining in text, use the italic font instead.
	Convert double dashes (--) to em dashes (—).
	Do not use two spaces after punctuation at the end of a sentence.
	Always use “curly” quotes and apostrophes.
	Check for widows and orphans so that single lines aren’t stranded at the top or bottom of columns.
	Check hyphenation and avoid ending more than two lines in a row with hyphens.
	Place the comma and period inside the ending quotation mark.
	Check table of contents (TOC) against text for accuracy in page numbers and headings.
	Validate that internal and external links are correct and navigate to the correct location.

Where to Look for Additional Errors

	Table of contents, other tables and lists.
	Where corrections have been made and other errors have been found.
	Where additional text has been integrated or text has been removed.

QC Review Checklist

	Review accuracy of table of contents and indexes.
	Review headings and sub-headings.
	Check headers, footers, page order, and position of page numbers.
	Scan each page for column and page breaks, and end-of-line hyphenation.
	Review the placement and sizing of graphics.
	Ensure file names are correct and files are in correct order.