Remember Me
forgot your password?

10 Tips for Effective Proofreading

10 Tips for Effective Proofreading

Proofreading may not be terribly fun, but it's one of the most important parts of writing.

Have you ever read a web page or a document that had typos, grammatical errors, and punctuation mistakes? This reflects badly on you and your business, and you could easily lose a customer over a simple spelling mistake!

Here are some tips for quick and effective proofreading:

1. Wait several hours before proofreading. Otherwise you might be thinking about what you just wrote, rather than watching for typos and punctuation errors.

2. Eliminate distractions. This is very detailed work so you need to be focused.

3. Print out a copy of your work, rather than reading it on a computer screen. To make it even easier, print a double-spaced draft copy.

4. Read the document aloud. This helps to highlight punctuation errors and missing words.

5. Use a piece of colored paper as a guide. This will help to keep your eyes on the line you're working on. If you don't have any colored paper, use a ruler.

6. Read backwards for spelling mistakes. Yes, that's right! You'll find spelling errors much easier if you're going from right to left. Otherwise you might unconsciously start reading, and not "proof" reading.

7. Use a different colored pen such as green or red to make your correction marks. These colors are much easier to see than black or blue.

8. Carefully check numbers and totals. Refigure all calculations and look for misplaced commas and decimal points.

9. If you have a lengthy document to proofread, rest your eyes every 10 to 15 minutes.

10. When you're absolutely sure there are no mistakes, have a partner check your work. Sometimes all it takes is a second pair of eyes.

junaid
Rate this Article: 5 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha
0
1. Aseff (06:58, 05.05.2009)
thanks for the tips, i am naturally very good at drafting but lose much of the credit to typos and silly mistakes. thanks again for the tips!

  • Latest Writing Articles
  • More from junaid

Child Labour

By: pushya | 01/12/2009
There is an old saying that goes ‘The child is the father of the man’ it simply translates that childhood is the formative period when a man’s character is shaped, traits are built and values inculcated...

Indian Laws

By: pushya | 01/12/2009
India can boast of an excellent and well defined legal system since ancient times. The ‘World Court’ which is the highest seat of law where disputes between nations are heard and verdicts delivered by an eminent multi nation jury recognises this fact with a rare honour...

How to Organize Your Written Arguments Using the Toulmin Method

By: Mary Simmers | 01/12/2009
Researching your arguments and having them at hand is one thing. Organizing them to ensure the most effective results is another. The Toulmin Method of Logic is a popular formula for presenting your arguments in a persuasive or opinion piece. This is frequently use by writers who add up some logic...

Basic Note to Dissertation Writing

By: Steven Wright | 01/12/2009
Dissertation is a specialized writing assignment for the students of higher classes. It is strictly a unique work in the sense that it aims at formulating something new. For the same reason the academic community has been giving utmost care and considerations to dissertations

Dependable Sources of Dissertation Writing Help

By: John Peter | 01/12/2009
Writing a dissertation is a troubling affair for most of the students because a well made dissertation cannot be completed by a single person. Interactions and exchanges are important for the successful completion of the dissertation

Choosing the Best and Appropriate Topic for Dissertation

By: David Carter | 01/12/2009
Dissertation is an academic paper which is usually presented before an academic panel, for the purpose of the successful completion of a course. Previously, dissertation was used to be associated with the courses related to philosophy and related doctorate degrees

The Basics of Effective Sales Writing

By: Mary Simmers | 01/12/2009
Still confused about what makes an effective sales letter? Your job as a sales letter writer is to sell not by writing well, but by striking a balance: you have to be exciting without being sensational, and you need to be as truthful about your product as possible, playing on...

Dividing and Conquering Essays

By: Abigail Johnson | 01/12/2009
Sometimes, at the first glance of your homework especially when it has to do with writing an essay, you feel that just the mere thought of the assignment has drained you of your energy. Some students, if not most, are easily strained by the sudden weight of the task of writing an essay.

10 Tips for Effective Proofreading

By: junaid | 02/05/2009 | Writing
10 Tips for Effective Proofreading

10 Things To Avoid In Your Cover Letter

By: junaid | 02/05/2009 | Writing
10 Things To Avoid In Your Cover Letter

10 Smart Moves For Getting Published In Top Magazines

By: junaid | 02/05/2009 | Writing
10 Smart Moves For Getting Published In Top Magazines

10 Profitable Tips For Article Writers

By: junaid | 02/05/2009 | Writing
10 Profitable Tips For Article Writers

Article Writing Quirks

By: junaid | 02/05/2009 | Writing
Article Writing Quirks

5 Specific Questions Your Sales Letters Must Answer To Achieve The Best Results

By: junaid | 02/05/2009 | Business
5 Specific Questions Your Sales Letters Must Answer To Achieve The Best Results

20 Major Marketing Mistakes - No 1. Failing To Understand The Nature Of Internet Marketing

By: junaid | 02/05/2009 | Marketing
20 Major Marketing Mistakes - No 1. Failing To Understand The Nature Of Internet Marketing

5 Profitable Reasons Why Forums Are Great For Your Internet Marketing Business!

By: junaid | 02/05/2009 | Marketing
5 Profitable Reasons Why Forums Are Great For Your Internet Marketing Business!

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup
Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.32, 6, w2)