Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate ability to proofread
The following video offers a set of starting guidelines for proofreading. (Note: this video has a jazzy soundtrack but no dialogue, so it can be viewed without sound.)
watch a video
You can view the descriptive transcript for “Proof Reading” here (opens in new window).
The additional strategies below can also help you spot errors in your writing:
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Print a hard copy of your document. Reading on paper is different from reading electronically, so you’ll catch errors on paper you hadn’t noticed before. |
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Put a ruler under each line as you read through the document. This technique will isolate lines, making it easier to spot mistakes. Some writers also like to use a pencil to point at each word. |
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Read through the paper backwards sentence by sentence. This reverse reading technique puts the focus on the words, sentences, and punctuation marks rather than on the ideas. |
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Ask a classmate or friend to read the document. Two sets of eyes are better than one. |
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