Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

Which term describes the marks used by an instructor to correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation?

1. Proofreader's symbols

2. Editor’s marks

3. Correction codes

4. Grammatical indicators

The correct answer is: Editor’s marks

The term that best describes the marks used by an instructor to correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation is "editor’s marks." These marks are a standardized set of symbols that editors and educators use to provide feedback on written work. They serve as a visual shorthand, allowing the instructor to quickly indicate specific areas that need revision or correction without having to write out extensive comments. This method helps maintain clarity and efficiency in the editing process, enabling the writer to easily understand what changes are needed. In contrast to other terms, proofreader's symbols are more associated with the final stages of editing and are used primarily in formal publishing contexts. Correction codes might imply a more personalized form of feedback but are less commonly recognized as a standardized set of symbols. Grammatical indicators are vague and could refer to any number of cues that signal grammatical issues, but they don't specifically denote a system of marks for correction like editor’s marks do.