There are several "must have" reference books for both aspiring and established proofreaders and copyeditors. I have these books and some of them are well thumbed and often used. A few have come in handy, and the rest I refer to when I am working for clients who are following specific writing formats (these books are specific to collegiate papers and dissertations). I encourage you to add these to your reference bookshelf! For your convenience, I've included click-through links to an online bookstore that carries the book listed (as applicable) and the approximate current price. Don't forget to check out the possibility of purchasing used books (Barnes & Noble offers many of these books in "used" condition). If you prefer to shop at a brick-and-mortar store, you should jot down the exact title as I have it here in order to locate and/or order the book. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, eleventh edition Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. approx. $25.00 The publishing industry, overall, uses spellings and word usages that follow Webster's. This edition, or the most recent, contains many computer- and Internet-related terms and terminologies, slang, and high-tech words. It is not a "doorstop"-sized book, but rather the size of a college textbook. Personally, I find it easier to use a real book than any online dictionary. Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus Barnes & Noble approx. $15.00 I don't really have a specific preference for a thesaurus---just GET ONE! The thesaurus that is included in your word processing software is adequate, but there are times when you need just that one certain word. I often find that I look up a word to find another word to look up, and then I hunt until I find the perfect word for the situation. I frequently offer suggested rewrites to my clients, and I find that I am often able to impress them by having found just that one perfect word. Your computer's thesaurus just doesn't cut it. The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2004 Hardback approx. $25.00 Paperback approx. $15.00 If you've never thought of it as a reference source, then think again! The Almanac is filled with information about the United States and the world. Interesting tidbits like state flowers, mottos, etc., along with a comprehensive listing of cities, counties, and the like. Maps galore and all sorts of oddities. I've reached for my Almanac on more occasions than I can count, to verify spellings, dates, what other countries call their currency, and the list goes on. The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition approx. $50.00 The publishing industry (in general) looks to Chicago for standard formatting of texts and other printed materials. Chicago establishes rules for grammar, punctuation, text layout formats, tables, word- form variations (plurals, capitalization, terms and terminologies), and styles of within-text citations and references. A comprehensive, end-of-text indexing section makes it easy to navigate through the book. Most major publishing houses follow Chicago and if you are planning on embarking on a career as a copyeditor/proofreader, then it is a must have. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations Kate L. Turabian approx. $15.00 Similar to The Chicago Manual of Style, Kate Turabian's book is one of two guides for all academic papers. Turabian's Manual is indexed similarly to Chicago and it is easy to use the index to direct you to the section of the book that provides styles for text presentation. If you will be working in the academia arena, then you need to be familiar with the standard styles as set forth by Turabian. Mastering APA Style, Student's Workbook and Training Guide approx. $20.00 APA (American Psychological Association) is the other guide for academic paper style and formats. This workbook guides you through its style guides with examples and exercises designed to help you become familiar with the APA style. Although it does not have an end- of-text index, the Table of Contents is complete enough to help you find the style/format rules you need. Webster's New World Pocket Style Guide approx. $10.00 This slim, pocket-sized guide gives you "concise and definitive rules of grammar and punctuation" and "clear advice on writing style and word usage." I like the book for the extensive glossaries of often misused words, word usages (when to use affect vs. effect, for example), and the easy-to-understand grammar rules. Although I do not suggest that you depend solely on this guidebook for all your grammar needs, it is a good supplement. It is reasonably priced and should be added to your library of reference materials. Cliff's Quick Review, Writing: Grammar, Usage, and Style approx. $15.00 If you remember "Cliff Notes" from your high school and academic years, Cliff's Quick Review is a good supplement to your grammar stylebooks. Along with grammar rules, Cliff's also includes guidelines for writing texts of any sort. I find that by having more than one grammar primer, I can always find a precise, direct answer for my grammar question. As another reasonably priced resource book, you should consider adding it to your other reference books. The Princeton Review, Grammar Smart A Guide to Perfect Usage approx. $15.00 This is my personal favorite grammar primer. Written in a light- hearted manner, this book uses humorous example texts to help you through the muddle of the English language. At the end of each section, there is a "Quick Quiz" for you to practice the grammar rules just reviewed. Grammar Smart's low cost makes it another appealing resource for your grammar needs. Powerful Proofreading Skills $10.00-$15.00 For the novice proofreader, or if you are considering becoming a proofreader, this slim guidebook will give you a good foundation in proofreading. It helps you along with what to look for and then how to mark found errors with standard proofreading marks. This book also includes short exercises that run you through the topic of that particular section. Grammatically Correct, by Anne Stillman This pocket-sized book contains quite a bit of detail, and I found it too hard to read. However, I have found a few explanations for quirky grammar situations that were helpful Merriam-Webster's Guide to Punctuation and Style, 2nd edition This book has a very good section on copyediting and proofreading, although it is oriented toward hardcopy editing/proofing. There is a three-page section on "Electronic Editing" that you might find helpful if you are new to editing/proofreading directly to a Word document. This resource book is also nicely indexed to help you find the answers you need. Copyediting, A Practical Guide, 3rd edition This text is essentially focused on copyediting for major publishing houses, is hardcopy-oriented, and pays lip service to electronic copyediting/proofreading. However, it does contain an excellent review of what is expected at the copyediting level. This text also contains specialized tips for copyediting/proofreading medical, math, and science texts.
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