How to proofread in 7 easy steps
You’ve completed several drafts of your essay/report/article and have arrived at the final task of proofreading. DON’T fall at the last hurdle! You’ve come so far. Do your work justice and ensure that you have enough time to make your work shine and sparkle!
What’s the difference between editing and proofreading?
Editing
Editing is what you begin doing as soon as you finish your first draft. You re-read your draft to see whether the paper is organised, the transitions between paragraphs are smooth, and your evidence really backs up your argument. You should be on the look out to edit the following:
Clear paragraph structure , Established essay structure , Clarity, Style/ tone of voice , Citations
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process, focusing on surface errors such as misspellings and mistakes in grammar and punctuation. You should proofread only after you have finished all of your other editing revisions.
Note: Know how you like to proofread, are you happy doing this on your laptop? Or do you find it easier to actively add notes or highlight points that need to be changed on paper?
Our top tips for proofreading
Step 1- Step away
This sounds contrary to your goal of completing your work, but you need fresh eyes to proofread. Even if it’s 15 minutes, or you look at a part that you’ve not seen for a while, it will help you look at your text with renewed attention.
Step 2 - Create an environment of focus
Proofreading is not the time to have the TV on in the background, or music with lyrics that can pull your attention. Proofreading takes focus! You’ll notice your concentration waning as it is, let alone with distractions working against you.
Step 3 - Read aloud
Hearing the sounds, hearing where you pause will help you fix the overall flow of your work and give you a better idea of where your should place commas.
Step 4 - Change how your text looks
To make sure you’re not switched onto autopilot mode, changing the size, spacing and colour can make it feel like you’re looking at something you’ve not seen before.
Step 5 - Go in reverse
Review each paragraph in reverse order. Can each paragraph stand alone and make sense? After reviewing the paragraphs back-to-front go back and check to see they have good links between them and to the essay title.
Step 6 - Show me the proof
This can be done with in conjunction with step 5. Did you use the WEED model (we go into depth about this on our course, “How to write a killer essay”)? You can have the most incredible and original insights about your given topic, but if they are not backed up by evidence, it won’t come across as believable and convincing.
Step 7 - Review headings separately
If you’ve written a report with multiple headings it is worth checking that the titles are congruent. Many people forget this.
Want to improve your essay writing?
Whether you’re at GCSE, A Level, IB or University, we have a formula for essay writing that will level up your writing!
As a part of our first Udemy course titled ‘How to write a killer essay’ , we’ve created a quick practical exercise to test your proofreading abilities based on the information taught within the course. If you haven’t enrolled in our course yet, you can do so by clicking <here> for a deep understanding of the various stages of writing an academic essay, couples with fun tips and tricks, as well as exercises to practically understand each stage of the writing process!
Exercise: Proofreading test
Proofread the text below and make note of as many errors as you can identify.
Keep Your Pet Safe from the Dangers of Heatstroke
It is now, thankfully, a widely recognised fact that dogs left alone in cars can become the tragic victim of the kind of weather that normally has most of us rejoicing. According to recent evidence, when the external temperature is 72 degrees Fahrenheight, the temperature within a car can rise to as much as 117 degrees Fahrenheit in just one hour. For this reason, all responsible dog owners plan ahead, to make sure wherever there going provides adequate provisions for their beloved pet.
However, the emphasis on the dangers presented by leaving dogs in cars has lulled many pet owners into a false sense of security when it comes to protecting their pet from the hazards of hot weather. There is now, unfortunately, a general consensus that our pets are safe in hot weather, just so long as they are not confined to a vehicle.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Whether or not your dog is in a car, they are vulnerable to heatstroke if they are unable to effectively cool down. Some dogs are more prone than others. For example,
• dogs with long hair,
• thick-set and heavily muscled dogs
• very young dogs
• very old dogs.
Dogs who are suffering from a particular medical complaint or are receiving prescription medication may also be more at risk. However, it is a fact that all dogs can be potential victims of heatstroke. Luckily, there are a number of very simple things you can do to reduce the risk to you’re pet. Avoid taking your dog out in hot weather at all, if you can. Restrict their exercise time to the early morning or later in the evening, when it tends to be cooler.
If you do have to take your dog out in the heat, and you find you have to leave them in a single spot for any reason, make sure there is plenty of shade, and leave a large bowl of drinking water. Make sure the bowl has a heavy base, so that it is less likely to be accidentally spilled or knocked over entirely.
When out walking with your dog in hot weather, carry a large bottle of water with you. Periodically, you can give this water to your dog. Little and often is the key here, keeping dehydration well and truly at bay. Make sure your dog is well-groomed to remove surplus hair. You wouldn’t go out in the heat wearing an overcoat, would you!!
If, for whatever reason, your dog has become exposed to excessive heat and you are concerned they may be suffering from heatstroke, here are the symptoms you need to be on the lookout for: abnormally heavy panting, excessive salivation, vividly red gums and tongue and, in very severe cases, diarrhoea and vomiting. If you encounter any of these symptoms you need to seek veterinary assistance immediately, whilst cooling your pet as much as possible with cool water (never use very cold water, as this may induce shock). But, as always, prevention is better then cure. Keep your pet out of the heat wherever possible.