C3 Reviewing, revising, and editing

C3-d: Proofreading the final manuscript

C3-dProofread the final manuscript.

After revising and editing, you are ready to prepare the final copy. (See C6 for guidelines.)

Proofreading is a special kind of reading: a slow and methodical search for misspellings, typographical mistakes, and omitted words or word endings. Such errors can be difficult to spot in your own work because you may read what you intended to write, not what is actually on the page. To fight this tendency, try the following tips.

proofreading tips

Remove distractions and allow yourself ten to fifteen minutes of pure concentration; turn off the TV and your cell phone and find a quiet place, away from people who are talking.
Proofread out loud, articulating each word as it is actually written.
Proofread your sentences in reverse order.
Proofread hard copy pages; mistakes can be difficult to catch on-screen.
Don’t rely too heavily on spell checkers and grammar checkers. Before automatically accepting their changes, consider accuracy and appropriateness.
Ask a volunteer (a friend, roommate, or co-worker) to proofread after you. A second reader may catch something you didn’t.

Although proofreading may be slow, it is crucial. Errors in an essay can be distracting and annoying. If the writer doesn’t care about this piece of writing, the reader might wonder, “Why should I?” A carefully proofread essay, however, sends a positive message: It shows that you value your writing and respect your readers.