Chapter Overview

English

Proofreading your writing

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Summary

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Proofreading your writing

In a nutshell

Proofreading (or proofing) is the act of checking a text for spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as making sure it's factually correct. In this summary, you will learn how to excel in proofreading with advanced techniques. 



Correcting

It remains the most important task of proofreading to catch and correct spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. Proofreading is not editing. While editing corrects issues at the core of writing, like sentence construction and language clarity, proofreading takes care of the more surface areas of writing. 


Therefore, as a proofreader, your skills are spotting errors and checking the accuracy of words and their use.



Enhancing

Look for words or sentences that you can enhance by choosing different vocabulary, adding description or adding adverbs.


Example
The boy was bad.
​The boy was extremely mischievous.


Example
The boy was bad.
In his darkest hour, the young boy was bad.


Example
The boy was bad.
The boy behaved badly.



Reading aloud

One way to make sure your work reads the best it can, is to read the finished text aloud. This will give you a sense of its flow and impact while also allowing you to once again check the spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Want to find out more? Check out these other lessons!

Planning a draft

Editing your writing

Proofreading your writing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQs

  • Question: What are the most important tasks of a proofreader?

    Answer: The most important task of proofreading to catch and correct spelling, grammar or punctuation errors.

  • Question: Why does reading a text aloud help to proofread?

    Answer: One way to make sure your work reads the best it can, is to read the finished text aloud. This will give you a sense of its flow and impact while also allowing you to once again check the spelling, grammar and punctuation.

  • Question: What is the difference between proofreading and editing?

    Answer: While editing corrects issues at the core of writing, like sentence construction and language clarity, proofing takes care of the more surface areas of writing.

Theory

Exercises

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