Posted by Jenny Rae Armstrong in
I figured that my kids would eventually reach the point in their education when helping them with their homework would require more than a cursory glance on my part. But I didn't expect it to happen like this.
Tonight, my nine-year-old came home with a worksheet that he is supposed to "correct," using proofreading symbols. And I must have turned about three shades of red when I realized that I could only remember one offhand: indent paragraph.
This led to three thoughts in quick succession:
Thought one: I'm a professional writer, and I can't even help my kid with his English homework? I am an utter failure as a writer and a mother.
Thought two: I have never once received anything from an editor, or even a post-1990's professor, containing proofreading symbols. There's this fabulous "track changes" function...
Thought three: Who indents paragraphs anymore???
I'd love to spend more time speculating on this topic, but I have to get back to helping my kid with his editing. Maybe I can dig up a blue pencil somewhere...
1 Response to Proofreading Symbols and Signs of the Times
I remember learning editing symbols when I was in fourth grade. They served me well for my first couple years at New Moon when we still edited on paper, and I admit that they still slip in when I do critiques by pen. But I think you're right that they may be becoming a thing of the past . . . which makes me wonder why schools aren't teaching skills of the future instead. But that's a whole 'nother issue.
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