Proofreading: Difference between revisions

When proofreading, first put the document aside for a few hours, days, or weeks. This allows for a fresh look at the document to see what is really on the page. Find a quite place to work. Read slow, and read every word. Read aloud. By following a proofreading checklist, it is easier to find common errors [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/561/02/]. Proofread for only one kind of error at a time.   

Look for misspelled words. Using a spell checker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spell_checker] will find most errors and typos, but not all. It is important not to only rely on a spell checker but to also review and reread your document. Spell checkers do not always correct homophones [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophones](i.e. their, they're, there), words used incorrectly, or contractions [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contraction_(grammar)](i.e. don't, won't, can't).  

Punctuation [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuation] is not always checked with the spell checker. When rereading your document, look for punctuation errors. This includes periods [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period_(punctuation)], commas [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma], colons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(punctuation)], semicolons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semicolon], quotations [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_mark] and the correct punctuation when citing sources.   

When proofreading, be sure to also pay attention to the content. Check for clarity, organization, variation of sentence structure, and word choice. Also, check for correct grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar]. Check your document to make sure your tenses [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenses] are consistent (past, first-person, present). Be sure to stay within the same format throughout (MLA, APA, etc.). Also, pay close attention to the way the document is laid out (margins and fonts).