{Rules for Foolproof Editing and Proofreading}

LAST CALL

Editing and proofreading are the last chances you will have to review the content of your document for blemishes and errors before submitting a final copy.

It is important to allow yourself time between writing and proofreading your document, granting a mental distance between you and your work.   This gives you a pair of fresh eyes to read your document clearly when editing and proofreading. 

DO NOT RELY ON SPELL CHECK, even computers make mistakes.  Often times error results in a legitimate English word (for example form instead of from). The computer will overlook this error accepting it as correct.   

{Approach editing and proofreading in two steps}

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS – TIPS FOR EDITING

First, thoroughly go through your paper sentence by sentence looking for grammar, word choice, spelling errors, and possible omissions. 

- Read the paper aloud to catch any possible errors that your might be automatically corrected in your mind when you read silently.  Try reading the document backwards to remove familiarity with the subject and focus on spelling. 

- Think about word choice.   Do you need to eliminate passive voice by add more active words? Have you used the same word too many times? A thesaurus is always nice to have on had to add variety. 

-   Look for patterns of error.  Writers are usually prone to make the same error repeatedly.  If you are known to use inappropriate amount of commas, keep an eye out for this while proofreading.  Sometimes it is helpful to keep a running list of personal errors.

AT A GLANCE – TIPS FOR PROOFREADING

Secondly, view your writing as a whole, asking questions like: 

- Is my document formatted correctly? Be aware of what type of document you are  submitting and if specific citation standards apply, or if a report, that the document is formatted in the appropriate layout.  Check out Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab OWL for citation information and helpful writing tips.

- Does this piece of writing meet the needs of my readers? Read your paper as if from the perspective of your potential reader.  It is saying all that you wanted it to say? Is the reader able to glean the information you wanted? Ask yourself the who, what, when, where questions and if these are answered.

FINAL STEPS

- Print your document out.  This may not be for all writers, but generally a good tip is to follow all these steps once, while your document is on screen, then again once printed!

- Share your document with a peer. They may be able to catch different errors, since they are approaching the document with a fresh perspective.