As you’ve worked on your document, you’ve become quite familiar with it. As a result, it can be easy to read what you meant to write instead of what you actually wrote. The following strategies can help you read with fresh eyes:
Set your document aside before you edit. If time permits, allow a day or two to pass before you begin editing your document. Taking time off between revising and editing can help you see your document more clearly.
Pause between sentences for a quick check. Avoid getting caught up in the flow of your document by stopping after you read each sentence. Slowing down can help you identify problems with your text.
Read aloud. Reading your document aloud can help you find problems that might not be apparent when it’s read silently.
Read in reverse order. To check for problems with individual sentences, start at the end of your document and read the last sentence first, and then work backward through the document. To check for problems at the word level, read each word starting with the last one in the document. Disrupting the normal flow of your document can alert you to problems that might not stand out when you read it normally.