Proofreading and Correction Symbols

Name_______________________

Symbol Meaning

A circle around a word indicates a spelling error.

A square around a word indicates a misspelling of a “TroublesomeWord.” The letters TW may also be written above the square.

^ A caret of this sort indicates missing punctuation, letter(s), or word(s).The missing punctuation, letter, or word will be added.

Cap. Capitalize this letter

lc Lowercase this letter.

Awk. Short for the term “awkward,” this abbreviation indicates awkward or strained phrasing. Look for an easier way to phrase your thought.

Vertical parallel lines indicate a need for parallel construction.

A two-legged, backward “P” indicates the need for a new paragraph.

WC These letters, which stand for “word choice,” indicate that you have used the wrong word. The letters followed by a question mark (WC?) indicate that your word choice is not necessarily wrong, but that you could find a better word.

Fragment This indicates an incomplete sentence.

Run-on Your sentence goes on. . . and on.. . and on

Tense Shift This tells you that you have changed verb tenses.

Agr. This abbreviation means you should check your subject-verb agreement.

Unref. This abbreviation tells you that you have used a pronoun without a readily identifiable antecedent or reference. Your reader cannot tell for sure what the pronoun represents.

Dang. This abbreviation indicates you have misplaced a modifier and left it dangling by itself.

Symbol	Meaning
	A circle around a word indicates a spelling error.
	A square around a word indicates a misspelling of a “TroublesomeWord.” The letters TW may also be written above the square.
^	A caret of this sort indicates missing punctuation, letter(s), or word(s).The missing punctuation, letter, or word will be added.
Cap.	Capitalize this letter
lc	Lowercase this letter.
Awk.	Short for the term “awkward,” this abbreviation indicates awkward or strained phrasing. Look for an easier way to phrase your thought.
	Vertical parallel lines indicate a need for parallel construction.
	A two-legged, backward “P” indicates the need for a new paragraph.
WC	These letters, which stand for “word choice,” indicate that you have used the wrong word. The letters followed by a question mark (WC?) indicate that your word choice is not necessarily wrong, but that you could find a better word.
Fragment	This indicates an incomplete sentence.
Run-on	Your sentence goes on. . . and on.. . and on
Tense Shift	This tells you that you have changed verb tenses.
Agr.	This abbreviation means you should check your subject-verb agreement.
Unref.	This abbreviation tells you that you have used a pronoun without a readily identifiable antecedent or reference. Your reader cannot tell for sure what the pronoun represents.
Dang.	This abbreviation indicates you have misplaced a modifier and left it dangling by itself.