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Proofreading
According to the Free Dictionary, proofreading is the process of reading copy or proof in order to find errors and mark corrections. It is the last stage in the writing process. Proofreading should take place after editing is complete and before the work is published or presented.
Prevent Common Errors
Carefully proofreading your work can help prevent common errors from making their way into your finished written piece. You’ve worked hard to put your thoughts together into a coherent and well-written product. Don’t let simple mistakes ruin your hard work. Below, are four common errors proofreading can detect.
- Punctuation. Common punctuation errors such as including too many commas or forgetting an apostrophe can be easily detected when you take the time to proofread your work.
- Spelling. When you’re working hard to get all of your thoughts down on paper, it’s easy to misspell a word or incorporate a typo into your work. Taking the time to review your writing before submitting it will help eliminate these mistakes. Don’t rely on spell check alone to catch all of your spelling mistakes because these programs do not take into account the context in which a word is used. For example, spell check cannot detect the difference between “reed” and “read.”
- Grammar. A simple grammatical mistake can completely change the meaning of a sentence. You don’t want to leave your audience wondering what you really meant, so be sure to check for errors in grammar when you are proofreading.
- Formatting. It may not seem like formatting is an important part of the writing process, but it can greatly impact the readability of your work. Make sure your piece is formatted for maximum readability. Make it easy for your audience by including headings, subheadings, bullet points and numbered lists where appropriate.
Proofreading Tips
When you have been working on a piece for hours, days, weeks or even longer, you become so familiar with the material that it can be difficult to identify mistakes in your work. Here are a few proofreading tips to help you make the most of the finished piece.
- Read it slowly. Don’t rush and give your writing just a cursory glance. You’ve spent a lot of time writing and editing your piece to make it the best it can be. It’s important that you take your time proofreading so that any errors can be corrected.
- Read it backward. When you’ve been working on a piece for some time, you begin to read it the way you intended to write it and not necessarily what is actually on the page. To help you read what has been written and not what your brain expects to see, try reading it backward.
- Set your work aside. With deadlines looming, it may not always be possible to set your work aside before giving it a final proofreading. However, whenever possible, it is important to step away from your work for a period of time before giving it a final read through. This will help you view your work with fresh eyes. As a result, you may catch mistakes you hadn’t noticed before.
Get Proofreading Help
If your proofreading skills are less than stellar, one of the best ways to improve them is by practicing. The more you proofread different written pieces, the better your skills will become. If you are looking for a more structured way to quickly brush up on your skills, then consider the help of style guides, seminars, and proofreading tutors.