Proofreading Tips - Four Effective Proofreading Tips
- Date: 2007-05-14 - Word Count: 565
Share This!
When writing anything for publication, proofreading should never be skipped or skimped. Thorough proofreading and editing should be an integral part of the writing process. Here are four tips for effective proofreading.
1. Check Your Spelling.
Always check your spelling. If you are writing an article for publication or copy for a web page, spelling errors will give your work an unprofessional appearance. People reading your article or visiting your website will not take you seriously if they think you are unable to spell simple words or are too slapdash to care about spelling mistakes.
2. Take A Break
When you are happy with your spelling, punctuation and grammar, take a break (preferably overnight) before returning to do further editing. This break means you can go back to your article with fresh eyes which will enable you to spot any errors that need correcting and to add any information you might have missed during the initial writing and editing process. Then print off a hard copy and read it again. Reading from a hard copy is easier than reading from a screen and you will see errors that you missed when reading from your computer screen.
3. Read It Aloud
Before publishing what you have written, read it aloud. Reading aloud forces you to read more slowly and to read every word individually without skipping over words. By reading aloud, you will pick up any duplicated or missing words and any typos the spell check might not have highlighted. Always bear in mind that spell check software looks for incorrect spelling, it won't pick up a typo or misused word even if it makes no sense in context. For instance if you write about the best way to cut up a log for firewood and accidentally type dog instead of log, the spell check software will not flag this error because dog is a real word.
Reading aloud means you can use your ears as well as your eyes to spot errors. When reading aloud, you will be more likely to spot errors in punctuation and style because you will hear when a sentence or phrase is too long or simply does not sound right even though it might have looked fine on paper.
4. Have Somebody Else Read It
One you are happy with your editing, pass a copy to a trusted friend who has a good understanding of spelling, grammar and punctuation. Even after checking and double checking, it is still easy to miss an error in your own work that would be completely obvious to another person reading it for the first time. It is also a good idea to get an independent critical review of your work to check that the information you intended to convey in your article is clear to the reader. This is particularly useful if you are writing about a subject you know very well. It is easy to miss out a piece of information because it seems like stating the obvious. Remember, it is only obvious because you are so familiar with the subject, readers who are not familiar with the topic, will need you to help them to learn about it.
Proper proofreading and editing must not be overlooked if you want to screen out elementary typing errors and avoidable spelling mistakes before allowing the public access to your writing. Readers will simply not bother to try to make sense out of poorly finished writing.
1. Check Your Spelling.
Always check your spelling. If you are writing an article for publication or copy for a web page, spelling errors will give your work an unprofessional appearance. People reading your article or visiting your website will not take you seriously if they think you are unable to spell simple words or are too slapdash to care about spelling mistakes.
2. Take A Break
When you are happy with your spelling, punctuation and grammar, take a break (preferably overnight) before returning to do further editing. This break means you can go back to your article with fresh eyes which will enable you to spot any errors that need correcting and to add any information you might have missed during the initial writing and editing process. Then print off a hard copy and read it again. Reading from a hard copy is easier than reading from a screen and you will see errors that you missed when reading from your computer screen.
3. Read It Aloud
Before publishing what you have written, read it aloud. Reading aloud forces you to read more slowly and to read every word individually without skipping over words. By reading aloud, you will pick up any duplicated or missing words and any typos the spell check might not have highlighted. Always bear in mind that spell check software looks for incorrect spelling, it won't pick up a typo or misused word even if it makes no sense in context. For instance if you write about the best way to cut up a log for firewood and accidentally type dog instead of log, the spell check software will not flag this error because dog is a real word.
Reading aloud means you can use your ears as well as your eyes to spot errors. When reading aloud, you will be more likely to spot errors in punctuation and style because you will hear when a sentence or phrase is too long or simply does not sound right even though it might have looked fine on paper.
4. Have Somebody Else Read It
One you are happy with your editing, pass a copy to a trusted friend who has a good understanding of spelling, grammar and punctuation. Even after checking and double checking, it is still easy to miss an error in your own work that would be completely obvious to another person reading it for the first time. It is also a good idea to get an independent critical review of your work to check that the information you intended to convey in your article is clear to the reader. This is particularly useful if you are writing about a subject you know very well. It is easy to miss out a piece of information because it seems like stating the obvious. Remember, it is only obvious because you are so familiar with the subject, readers who are not familiar with the topic, will need you to help them to learn about it.
Proper proofreading and editing must not be overlooked if you want to screen out elementary typing errors and avoidable spelling mistakes before allowing the public access to your writing. Readers will simply not bother to try to make sense out of poorly finished writing.
Related Tags: articles, writing, readers, publishing, editing, spelling, proofreading, publication
Elaine Currie owns a Work At Home Directory where you will find dozens of legitimate ways to make money working from home. For more about writing visit Writing Tips Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an Article
Here are 10 mistakes that writers tend to make when writing articles for newsletters or magazines. K - Invigorate Your Healthcare Writing With Words That Are Short, Sweet, And Full of Energy
There are certain kinds of phrasing and word choice, especially in official statements, that can soa - The Case For Customizing Content
You have to consider every angle when you are writing. There are lots of rules to follow and tips to - Writing Strategies For Creating Viral Content
For anybody involved in content marketing the need to develop writing strategies that will produce t - Three Key Ways a Writing Coach Can Improve Your College Admission Essay
In an article entitled "Writing The Essay: Sound Advice from an Expert", Parke Muth, Senior Assistan - Acquiring A Fantastic Proxy - Proxy List
A proxy or proxy server is applied for both effortless obtain to your certain useful resource like a - Turnkey Sites & Website Templates - A Comparison
I'm constantly finding emails soon after a person buys a offer of Site Desing templates. Some men an - Standard Manual For Laptop Or Computer Elements & Software
For many people today, computer system sections plus the innards of the computer system are anything - Different Kinds Of Cameras Can Be Used For Webcams
There are many physical components that make the technology of the PC camera webcam work. The import - What Can Pc Camera Webcam Bring To Us And How It Works?
The PC camera webcam can be used in a wide range of aspects. Such as personal "Big Brother" style di
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Don't Put Off Writing that Book!
If writing that book you've always had in mind tops your list of resolutions or regrets, hiring a wr - How To Write A Better Press Release
A press release is the most effective way to generate free publicity for your business or organizati - Writing on the Hoof
Finding inspiration when you are writing is often a haphazard affair. When you are physically ready - Focus On Nigeria
Focus on Nigeria Nigеria is a natural gas and oil rich country that is bordеrеd b - How to Write Great Dialogue in Your Book
Dialogue isn't so much read as it is heard by the reader. The eyes see the words on the page, the b - Women SUV Driver from www.thefrap.com
Why do so many women drive around in the oversized SUV's, the Tahoe, Excursion, Escalade - How To Write Good Articles
As a writer you may be ready to cash in on the need for web content. There is a lot of money that c - NEWS FLASH: Technical Communicator Saves World
I had a boss several years ago who was amused by my earnest and relentless preaching about the impor - Writers Resources
Writers use certain inherent talents to come up with their pieces of writing. However, they do need - Popular Articles
Articles are those that are available in plenty these days in the internet. The articles are written