Many students do not realize that proofreading and editing is the final stage of the writing process. Every assignment—a discussion board post, essay, proposal, etc.—should be proofread and edited before submitting it to the instructor. Moreover, it is best to proofread and edit the final draft of an assignment.
To guide you in this process, here are some proofreading and editing strategies that work well:
Be Prepared for Proofing. Proofread and edit your assignment when you are most alert and are without distractions. Know the best time and place for you to concentrate. Also, print out a hard copy, have a pen or pencil in hand, and keep any necessary materials within reach—dictionary, style guide, writing handbook, notes, assignment description, old drafts.
Break the task down into small steps. Avoid proofreading and editing every aspect of the draft all at once. Instead, focus on one component at a time with each read. For example, you might have three proofreading and editing sessions in which you concentrate on the following separately: organization, mechanics (grammar & punctuation), and formatting style.
Proofread backwards. This means to read from the last sentence of the paragraph to its first sentence (bottom to top) or from the end of the sentence to its beginning (left to right). Proofreading backwards will help you “slow down” and consider each sentence or word separately. This strategy works best for isolating typos, misspellings, or missing words.
Read out loud. Reading what you wrote out loud to yourself can help you catch both grammatical errors and awkward organization or development of ideas. A variation on this strategy is having someone else read your paper out loud to you. By putting yourself in the role of the audience, you can hear what does not “flow” or make sense. Or, have this “second pair of eyes” read your draft to her or himself.
Know your computer. Learn to use the tools most word-processing software have. (Note: Refer to “A Basic Guide for Using Microsoft Word” in Writing Resources.
o Spell check – This does not mean, however, that you should not reread your paper on your own or have a friend, relative, or spouse look at it. Have a dictionary on hand to double-check your word choice vs. the spell check’s corrections or suggestions.
o The “Find” feature – This helps you to identify words and phrases you overuse, such as “they,” “it is,” and “it has been said that.”
o Thesaurus – Use it with care: bigger words are not always better.
???? Let your eyes rest. Take a break for a few minutes or hours. Working closely with your own writing for stretches of time can affect the way that you read the paper. You will overlook typos and simple mistakes if you do not allow your eyes to rest. Set small goals. Allow yourself enough time for proofreading and editing to avoid feeling overwhelmed or rushed.
From Ashford Writing Center
Hello Gerald,
Yes, this is available in the course along with many other resources to help in academic writing.
Connie
Comment by Connie — August 27, 2010 @ 5:58 pm