Benefits of Proofreading your Paper


What does Proofreading actually do?


Upon searching Google, it showed the simplest result possible which says, “Read and mark any errors.” While this definition is actually correct, proofreading is also equivalent to editing ones paper. It is also e it is expected that when one is expected to proofread, one is expected to read and find any or all of the errors in a paper. Errors usually include: spelling, grammar and flow.

Many assume that good writers seldom make mistakes which mean they don’t need proofreading but to be honest, even the greatest writers create mistakes, which means even you are a great or a newbie in writing, at the end of the day, your paper should always undergo proofreading. That is why professional proofreading services are available nowadays. So, how does one benefit from proofreading?



#1 Utilize your Spell-Checker

Spell checkers emphasize wrong spelling and grammar from your document. Some word processors underline it colored in red or green which might mean incorrect spelling or grammar. Usually spelling and grammar checkers provide alternative for spelling and grammar correction but just in case alternatives are not available you can always check it out on the dictionary or copy and paste the word that you need in Google search to find the appropriate spelling for it.

#2 Print your Essay Out and examine it in Person

So, why I’m asking you to do this? Computers usually provide distractions that might affect your proofreading. It might be the lights, the internet, social media and the applications on your computer that might remove you from your focus in proofreading. Printing your essay on a piece of bond paper would help you in this.

#3 Question Yourself

To better assess if you are on the right track or not, ask yourself the following questions:
-          Is my thesis clear?
-          Does it answer the problem properly?
-          Do topic sentences match the body paragraphs?
-          Does my conclusion restate the thesis?
Aside from questioning yourself, always keep in mind to keep your paper focused on the topic of your paper and if you are stuck whether your opinion is valid or not, get a 2nd opinion from someone knowledgeable: it maybe your smart classmate or your thesis adviser.

#4 Leave your Essay Alone, Give it 24 Hours and Read it aloud afterwards

Give your essay and your study at least 24 hours to rest and read it aloud afterwards. By doing this, you are doing yourself a big favor because by detaching yourself from the paperwork and picking it up afterwards will give you a fresh perspective which will help you to see errors that you have never seen before.

#5 Read your Papers Aloud but Backwards

 Reading it aloud and backwards sentence by sentence from end to the beginning would definitely help you correct your mistakes one by one and would definitely help you correct your grammar mechanically.

#6 Have someone re-read your Papers

To make sure that you are not missing out on something, you need to ask for a 2nd opinion on your ideas. Just make sure that they are knowledgeable enough and give feedbacks that may help you construct your paper well.

#7 Rinse and Repeat

If you strive for perfection, well there is no way but to repeat these steps again and again.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Proofreading Myth Explained: The Difference between editing and proofreading

Proofreading Symbols and How Professionals Use Them