Typically, a beta reader reviews a draft that has gone through at least one revision. An
alpha reader reviews a draft that is still without an ending or is completely unrevised. Alpha and beta readers must be well educated generally, with a good knowledge of current affairs. This enables them to read works in the current context, with regard to both world affairs and the target market that the work is aimed at. A
proofreader usually only looks at
grammar and
spelling while a beta reader is more holistic in their scope. A critique partner is a trained writer who test reads from the perspective of an author, while a beta reader is a trained reader, test reading from the perspective of a typical reader. A
sensitivity reader is a specific type of beta reader who is from a culture that the author is not familiar with. ==See also==