Proofreading strategies

• Proofread in a quiet place with no distractions.
• Read your work out loud, articulating each word as it is actually written.
• Read slowly, not at your usual reading pace.
• Make multiple passes, checking for specific errors or features on each pass. For example, read first for topic sentences and paragraph divisions, then for transitions, grammatically correct sentences, parallel structure, or punctuation.
• Read your sentences in reverse order, a strategy that takes your attention away from the meanings you intended and forces you to focus on one word at a time.
• Run the spell checker. Be especially aware of errors you typically make, especially misspellings that are overlooked by the spell checker. Run the grammar checker if you find it helpful.
• Change the formatting-font size or margins, for instance-to make the text appear unfamiliar. Set your Word file to View/Reading Layout for a different look. Or increase the zoom to 125% or 150% (especially useful for catching punctuation or spacing errors).
• Set Word to View/Print Layout or File/Print Preview so you see exactly how the file will print. Click the ¶ icon (Show/Hide) on the Word Standard Toolbar to see all spaces, tabs, and returns.
• Check your spacing , headers and footers , your headings , your pagination , and your line breaks . Fix format issues before you print.

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