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Proof

Printing
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A trial impression made for checking text and design before final printing. It is used to find errors and approve layout.

Detailed Definition
A proof is a preliminary printed or digital impression reviewed before an edition is finalized. Poets, editors, and printers use proofs to catch typographical errors, incorrect line breaks, missing punctuation, uneven spacing, and page-design problems. Proofreading poetry requires special attention because a single altered indentation or broken stanza can affect meaning and rhythm. Successive proofs may also be checked for page numbers, running heads, illustrations, and the accuracy of acknowledgments or colophon details.
Example
Example in poetry:
A proof is a preliminary printed or digital version checked before a poetry book is finalized; A poet reads a proof to catch a missing line break in a villanelle; In a proof, the author may notice that an em dash has been changed incorrectly to a hyphen; Comparing a proof with the manuscript helps ensure that stanza spacing and italics remain accurate
Additional Notes
A proof is checked for spelling, punctuation, lineation, page numbers, and visual errors before publication. Authors should compare it carefully with the approved manuscript, especially in poetry.
Also Known As
Printer's Proof Proof Copy
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