R3ciprocity.com is a unique online platform that enables you to upload your work and get quality editing and proofreading by real people AND support others by editing and proofreading their work.
The credit system allows you to use the platform for free. Proofreading the work of others earns you credits that you can spend to get feedback on your own work. Credits can also be affordably purchased through the platform if you want feedback on your writing without spending time proofreading for others.
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The Test Review Process For R3ciprocity
In order to begin proofreading the work of others on r3ciprocity.com – and earning credits for your hard work – you will first need to proofread/edit two test documents that are verified by R3ciprocity admin. These are called test reviews. Test reviews are simple 1 page documents that allow us understand if you are (a) not a robot, and (b) that you actually care about the quality of the review. This is our first barrier to great editing on the system because then we can assess whether those you are participating on the platform are going to keep working hard at their reviews. We want to be sure that everyone that submits a document for editing gets superior quality editing. We want to ensure that everyone who is proofreading documents on r3ciprocity.com is also providing helpful writing support to their peers. We can all use the writing support!
The test review process allows you to also become familiar with how the platform works. As with any software, it can be confusing when you first use it. By doing a ‘dry run’ on the system, you get all of the problems out before you interact with other people. Again, we want to make sure that everyone has a superior experience on the platform.
For help and advice for uploading your first test review please go to How Do You Perform A Test Review On R3ciprocity.com? This post does a great job at explaining how you can start using r3ciprocity.com as an editor.
The Second Test Review On R3ciprocity.com
When your first test review is approved by R3ciprocity Admin, you will receive an email. Follow the link in the email or go to r3ciprocity.com to log in to start work on your second test review.
On the My Reviews page you will be able to view your first test review and read a comment from r3ciprocity.com Admin, giving you individualized feedback on your proofreading and editing skills. We will try to build out what the feedback will look like as this platform grows and becomes more useful to people.
Also on the My Reviews page you can access the second test review document by clicking on Request a job. When the new assignment appears click on Accept Job and then Download document to view the document on your device. This is also the way you will access the work of other users when you are approved to proofread through the site.
It is a Microsoft Word document but you will be able to read and edit it using any compatible word processing software including Open Office and Google Docs. You are welcome to edit the document in any word processor, but it must be converted back to a Microsoft Word document (*txt, *.doc, or *docx) when you upload it back to www.r3ciprocity.com.
Once you have downloaded the document it is time to begin proofreading and editing it. Your goal is to support the writer by showing them the changes that could improve the quality of their writing. Do not be afraid to edit, remove or write additional sentences if you believe that these changes will improve the writing. Go above and beyond what you think is useful. However, always keep the writer in mind. They will appreciate all of the time and effort you put into editing the document. Consider what they want to communicate through this writing and the purpose they want to achieve. Any changes you make should help them achieve this purpose. If you think there should be more that should be added, make those suggestions. Keep in mind that you should NOT be writing the document for them, but that you are trying to make the document seem more polished.
Things to consider when proofreading someone else’s writing
How easy it is to miss something.
Read the document slowly and carefully before, during and after the editing process. This is not a task that can be rushed. Try to reread the document given your suggestions. Does it make the document sound better? Can it stay true to what the writer intended?
The tone of the writing.
Formal, academic writing is very different than a chatty blog post and the tone, style and structure of the writing should all be appropriate for the purpose. Try to match the tone for the document.
Making the writing easy to read and understand.
Small changes in sentence structure can make a big difference. Try to reduce the amount of text that is written. Often, cutting out words or phrases can make a large difference on what is being communicated, and how people make sense of the text.
Correcting inaccurate spelling and grammar.
If you are unsure then a simple search online will tell you all you need to know. You are also welcome to use other spelling software or use the suggestions from MS Word. It is easy to overlook simple issues when you are the only author.
Think about the document as a whole.
Look at font styles and sizes, the formatting of titles and footnotes and page layout. Edit these aspects if you think they need to be edited. Sometimes changing the page orientation, or margins can make a document ‘pop.’
Uploading the Second Test Review
Once you have finished proofreading and editing the second test document you need to upload it to r3ciprocity.com. Save the document to your computer or device and then click on Upload Document on the My Reviews page. Once the document is uploaded you can click on it and see your edited document alongside the original.
The color of the Review stats circles – the top two circles – will depend on the number of changes you have made and the system’s calculation of the readability of the document with your changes. If the circles are red – most likely due to you making very few changes – you will not be able to send the document. You can upload another attempt on the My Reviews page. Yellow indicates okay but you should always aim for these circles to be green when you upload a document.
Scroll down this page to write a comment to accompany your review. This is your opportunity to explain any major changes you made to the document and offer general feedback. As people start using the platform, we might adjust these features to ensure that people will explain what they have done on the document. Please make sure that all comments are kind and supportive and that you click Submit Comment when you have finished writing your comment. Your goal is to be helpful and friendly!
Once you have written a comment you can send your review. This can be done by clicking on the icon beneath the comment box or on the My Reviews page.
If your review is approved you will be able to begin proofreading and editing the work of other r3ciprocity.com users and earning credits. Sweet! Remember to try to put as much effort into helping others as you possibly can. Also, for the first set of reviews, you will have to do an excellent job to keep your quality score high. Once you have a track record of high quality reviews, the credit system will unlock and you will be able to convert the credits to money or for your own documents.
If your review is not approved, however, you will be required to edit more than the usual two documents to practice your proofreading skills before you can review other people’s work on the platform and earn credits.
If you want to learn more about r3ciprocity.com check the How to Get Started on r3ciprocity.com YouTube playlist or some other posts on this site that you might like.