There is a language to proofreading; a series of squiggles and signs that indicate errors. And finding errors is the only function of proofreading. The problem with such a code, as with any language, is that both parties have to understand its meaning, and few do,...

When I marked papers as Graduate Assistant and then as a teacher, I would hand back any papers that had more than a few spelling or grammar errors. My rationale was that if the student could not be bothered preparing the paper properly then why should I be bothered...