Proofread in the right circumstances and environment
- Make time to proofread. It's not a quick activity.
- Avoid distractions when proofreading (switch off mobile etc) - you need to be able to concentrate.
- Don't proofread when you're tired.
Use appropriate reading techniques
- Print your writing – if you find it difficult to read off a screen
- Use a piece of paper to cover work as you read.
- Read your work out loud slowly– you'll pick up errors in sentence structure.
- Read your work backwards – this stops your brain skipping errors reading word by word
Proofreading
- Do not rely on spellchecker or grammar checker
- First, proof the body of the text. Then go back and proof the headings. Headings are prone to errors.
- Check one type of error at a time eg punctuation, spelling etc (If you try to do everything at once you will miss mistakes.
- Double check whenever you're sure something is right—certainty is dangerous.
- Make a list of things to watch for—a kind of "to do" list—as you edit.
- Use a dictionary
- Ask someone else to proofread your work if you can.
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Jamie Smith
Premium
Thanks for your great blog, I see so many proofreading errors each day online.
Sherion
Premium
Great! I am going to try a lot of these ideas.
One thing I was going to ask you is on this first page in the first line>>This tutorial is a brief run through of some of techniques use can use to edit and proofread your blog posts or articles. I am not understanding that line "techniques use can use"? Is it suppose to be "you can use". Just asking.
Thanks again.
One thing I was going to ask you is on this first page in the first line>>This tutorial is a brief run through of some of techniques use can use to edit and proofread your blog posts or articles. I am not understanding that line "techniques use can use"? Is it suppose to be "you can use". Just asking.
Thanks again.
findingemo
Premium
Beverley, another great training.
I haven't tried the "don't proofread while writing" method. Perhaps, that's why I struggle so much with finishing my pieces, they always seem to be a "work in progress" and I rarely feel confident that they are "done".
I know my grammar and punctuation could use some "refreshing" but, I haven't thought to look online for some reminders and tips. I foolishly rely on grammar, spell check and my memory (lol). I give them way to much "credit" and I am lazier about double checking my work. I assume they have caught all my mistakes.
I throughly enjoy your trainings and I think everyone should read them.
Thanks for sharing. :)
I haven't tried the "don't proofread while writing" method. Perhaps, that's why I struggle so much with finishing my pieces, they always seem to be a "work in progress" and I rarely feel confident that they are "done".
I know my grammar and punctuation could use some "refreshing" but, I haven't thought to look online for some reminders and tips. I foolishly rely on grammar, spell check and my memory (lol). I give them way to much "credit" and I am lazier about double checking my work. I assume they have caught all my mistakes.
I throughly enjoy your trainings and I think everyone should read them.
Thanks for sharing. :)
BIS
Premium
Hi Patty
Thanks for the compliments. Glad you enjoyed it.
I think you have to get over the urge to edit and edit - otherwise you find yourself constantly rewriting. I'm rarely happy with what I've written - but the question I always ask myself is 'Is it good enough?' And 9 times out of 10 it is.
I too rely on my knowledge of grammar and punctuation. You'd be surprised how often I get it wrong! You don't have to be perfect, but you do need to know enough to ensure that people can understand what you say and that you don't change the meaning of what you're saying because of a mistake. It's worth giving yourself a refresher course now and again.
Beverley
Thanks for the compliments. Glad you enjoyed it.
I think you have to get over the urge to edit and edit - otherwise you find yourself constantly rewriting. I'm rarely happy with what I've written - but the question I always ask myself is 'Is it good enough?' And 9 times out of 10 it is.
I too rely on my knowledge of grammar and punctuation. You'd be surprised how often I get it wrong! You don't have to be perfect, but you do need to know enough to ensure that people can understand what you say and that you don't change the meaning of what you're saying because of a mistake. It's worth giving yourself a refresher course now and again.
Beverley
