Proofreading means carefully checking for errors in a text before it is submitted or published. It is the last stage of the writing process where you fix errors and inconsistencies, for instance spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes.
Questions
- Is your language suitable for an academic essay? Is it sufficiently formal?
- Do you use a varied and precise vocabulary?
- Do you overuse some words? If so, try to come up with synonymous words.
- Are your sentences of varying lengths? Have you avoided very long sentences (that are usually hard to comprehend)?
- Does your text have a clear structure? For instance, do you have an interesting introduction and a powerful conclusion?
- Is your text divided into paragraphs?
- Have you used a few formal linking words (however, furthermore, thus, etc.) to link sentences and paragraphs together?
- Do you use punctuation marks correctly (full stops and commas)?
- Have you checked for grammar and spelling mistakes on your own?
- Have you run a grammar and spelling check?
Tips
- Read aloud. Many people find it easier to spot mistakes if they read their essays aloud.
- Proofread backward. Begin at the end of your essay and review it paragraph by paragraph, or even line by line. This method will help you locate errors that you probably would not find otherwise.
- Proofread for one type of error at a time. If you often make comma mistakes, go through your essay focusing on that specific problem. Then proofread again for another error you frequently make.
- Print your essay. Most people find it easier to read and check for errors on paper rather than on a computer screen.
- Grammar and spell-checking. Use the grammar and spell-checker on your computer, but do not rely on it entirely. Computers often make mistakes, so always check for grammar and spelling errors on your own as well.
- Peer response. Ask someone you trust to read your essay and provide constructive feedback that will help you improve it.