The Importance of Human Proofreaders

In today's world of technology and automation, it is easy to assume that machines can perform almost any task that humans can do. However, there are still some tasks that require a human touch, and proofreading is one of them. While automated tools can help catch some errors, they can never replace the value of a human proofreader. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of having a human proofreader.

Firstly, human proofreaders bring a unique set of skills and expertise to the table. They are able to understand the nuances of language and context in a way that automated tools simply cannot. They are able to spot errors that may not be immediately obvious, such as incorrect grammar or syntax, and are able to correct them accordingly. Furthermore, they are able to provide feedback on the overall flow and coherence of the text, which can greatly enhance its readability and impact.

Secondly, human proofreaders are able to provide a level of personalization and customization that automated tools simply cannot match. They are able to tailor their feedback to the specific needs of the writer or audience, taking into account factors such as tone, style, and audience expectations. This can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the text and help ensure that it achieves its intended purpose.

Thirdly, human proofreaders are able to provide a level of empathy and understanding that automated tools simply cannot match. They are able to understand the writer's perspective and intentions, and are able to provide feedback in a way that is both constructive and supportive. This can greatly enhance the writer's confidence and motivation, and can help ensure that they continue to produce high-quality work in the future.

Finally, human proofreaders are able to provide a level of accountability and responsibility that automated tools simply cannot match. They are able to take ownership of the work that they are proofreading, and are able to ensure that it meets the highest standards of quality and accuracy. They are also able to provide feedback on areas that may need improvement, and are able to help the writer develop their skills and abilities over time.

In conclusion, while automated tools can certainly be helpful in some situations, they can never replace the value of a human proofreader. Human proofreaders bring a unique set of skills and expertise to the table, and are able to provide a level of personalization, empathy, and accountability that automated tools simply cannot match. Whether you are a writer, a student, or a professional, having a human proofreader can greatly enhance the quality and effectiveness of your work, and can help you achieve your goals more effectively.

. . . This blog post (above this paragraph) was written by the AI ChatGPT. I've been playing around with it a bit lately, and I thought it would be funny and ironic to ask ChatGPT about why AI can never replace human proofreaders. And I happen to agree with the answer it gave me! (I checked to see if any of the above content was plagiarized, and to the best of my knowledge it's not.)

As the dryness of the first part of this post shows, AI can't replace human writers either, because people are able to craft interesting, creative blog posts* while machines can only take what's already out there and process it in various ways.**

Now, if only we humans had the time and energy to crank out as many posts as we wanted . . . but we'd rather work on polishing and publishing excellent books (written by real people) instead!

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P.S. - The error that immediately comes to my mind that might be harder for AI tools to catch is a misplaced or dangling modifier. Humans miss them—I see them all the time in professionally published articles and books, including Big Five books. I've never used Grammarly or similar tools; does anyone know if those catch modifier mistakes?


*​See this funny post about grammar as an example! :)

**See this article in Harvard Business Review for much more detail about what AI can and can't do, which is not the point of this blog post.


NOTE: This post was written (and scheduled) before the writer/actor strikes began. I fully support those strikes and I hope this post clearly demonstrates how bland AI-written material is and why AI should never, ever replace human writers. We're not making any money from using AI, and I haven't used it since the strike began.

Sarah M. Awa (and ChatGPT)

Sarah is spending much more time on writing her next book than on AI experimentation! She lives in Ohio with two hairy guys and is the author of Hunter's Moon, a gothic teen novel featuring traditional werewolves in college. Her author website is www.sarahmawa.com. She also has 10+ years of experience proofreading with her (probably) fully human brain.

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