How To Proofread Your Own Writing
September 18, 2006 by Anne Wayman
Filed under Jobs
Proofreading something you’ve written is way more difficult than most people realize. It doesn’t matter if it’s a letter, an article you’d like to sell or even a check you just wrote to pay the rent. The fact that you wrote it means you know what it’s supposed to say and that’s exactly what your mind tends to see – what should be there, not what’s really there.
Of course, ideally, you’ll have someone else proof it – they bring a fresh eye and no pre-conceived notions, and hopefully they can spell. In fact, if the writing is for something that really matters, it can make sense to pay a professional proof reader.
The next best bet is to put it away for a day or a week – that way, your eye is much fresher and you’re much more likely to spot errors.
But life doesn’t often give us that much time. When the writing (or the check) has to go out today, take time to read it out loud to yourself.
Sure, you’ll feel really stupid the first few times you do this, but it works. If you’re in cube or other un-private place, whisper it to yourself. Somehow your ear will hear mistakes your eyes wont see.
NOTE: This post was written in direct response to a ProBlogger Group Writing Project – you can participate too!
Write well and often,
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Definitely, I think a lot of people depend too heavily upon Word or other proofing that really doesn’t catch a lot of things, especially grammatical errors. In college we would all trade papers and have everyone else look at it – fresh eyes, etc. – definitely caught a lot of things that would otherwise have been overlooked.
Our list is up as well if you’d like to check it out!!
Agree with reading your work out loud. Things I ask myself when proofing:
Is the rhythm awkward? Are the sentences clunky or unclear? Am I repeating words? Using clichés? Needing stronger verbs or nouns? Writing in the passive voice? Using mixed metaphors? Just being plain boring? :-)
(Found you thru ProBlogger’s writing project.)
Good suggestions for the “how to” post. (ProBlogger)
I think the read it out loud is the best suggestion. Works in a pinch.
I’m actually proof reading a book I finished…I had to tuck it away for two weeks so I could get a fresh look at it…otherwise, I overlook simple little mistakes!
Proofing is so strange. I am a hobby writer and I frequently make simple mistakes. I once wrote a letter to the CEO of Ramada Inn complaining about a poor experience. I read the letter at least twenty times before I sent it. I looked at the letter (on the computer) shortly after I had printed it, sealed it in an envelope, and dropped it in a mail box and the first line read – “I had very bad experience at your hotel.” Dooh!
Thanks for the tips!
I’ve always just got it out there, errors and all, and then let someone tell me about it. I can always edit later.
And it’s usually my girlfriend who finds the errors. ;-)
My how to is up.
I’ve been known to actually tape record myself reading and listen to the tape… that also works
Great tips. I almost always rewrite stuff when I put it away for a couple of days. Maybe this allows the topic to marinate a little.
Good tips there. Personally, I can even read out the wrong thing and think that it is correct. I guess it has something to do with the mind as well. Or more precisely, the mind’s eye. The internal eye thinks and sees the missing word. Once that thought is in the brain, there is a high chance of missing it even when reading it aloud.
my 2 cents
and my how to is up as well
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Bingo! Incidentally, this technique works well for telephone sales and customer service people. If they tape record themselves and listen, they won’t need much additional training!
Some good creative ideas in a short post. I especially like the reading aloud idea. Thanks!
That’s excellent advice, thank you Anne! I pride myself on my ability to pick up other’s mistakes, so I have been quite frustrated with myself lately when, for example, newsletters I have done for my kids’ netball club slip through with stupid mistakes (I always send my stuff to others on the committee to proof read, but they miss it too!)
I am new to the blogging, (in an attempt to see if I can actually write!) and, even when I’ve done a preview, then posted, I seem to be doing a kazillion edits when I suddenly spot another typo, or a broken train of thought.
I have posted a submission for the ‘How to’ writing project (http://crazytrace.blogspot.com/2006/09/how-to-reduce-cynic-to-tears.html) but it’s not come through on the list yet. Hope the submitting of it to ProBlogger worked.. but meantime it was good practice, and I am enjoying reading the other submissions, even though it means I’m not getting anything else done around the house!
Tracey
I totally agree on the reading aloud thing. I was teaching a writing class last night and talking about proofreading. One of the biggest points that I emphasized (and always do) is to read it out loud. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks for the tips. I do take a bit of time reading and re-reading the article and sometimes I do find that certain sentences need to be re-worded or re-written when I revisit it later.
The most important thing is not to fall asleep when you’re writing it:)