What
is Proofreading?
Proofreading
is meticulously scanning the text for errors, and correcting them
to improve the English and make the document more readable.
| |
Proofreading
involves: |
 |
Marking
typographical errors |
|
Correcting
inconsistencies or errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation |
|
Correcting
incorrect use of words, for example 'too' instead of 'to', 'stationery'
instead of 'stationary' |
|
Using fonts,
font sizes, and typefaces consistently |
My word
processor has a spell checker. Why do I need a proofreader?
Although most word processors can spot spelling mistakes, and even
check grammar, many mistakes will still get past these checks. For
example, you might write "there's" (there is) when you
really mean "theirs" (belonging to them). There are literally
thousands of mistakes in English that are just as easy to make.
An
example
| Before
proofreading: |
| "A
significant development of the above mentioned perspective ,
whether or not it is imparative for this text will surely be
critical in future research, thus we must remain open to alternative
approaches.." |
| After
proofreading: |
| "A
significant development of the above-mentioned perspective -
whether or not it is imperative for this text - will surely
be critical in future research. Thus we must remain open to
alternative approaches." |
What
does it take to be a proofreader?
Although proofreading can be learnt, a basic requirement is an excellent
understanding of English. Once you have this, the following qualities
are useful:
| |
Proofreading
involves: |
|
An eye
for detail and an uncompromising approach towards errors |
|
Taking
nothing for granted. What you see on the page might not be what
is actually there |
|
The ability
to read a passage slowly and carefully, rather than rushing
through it, perhaps going over the same passage several times
|
Why is it so hard to spot your own errors?
Identifying errors in your own writing is notoriously difficult,
largely because you wrote it!
We tend to see a mis-spelt word, for example, 'in our mind's eye'
and once we believe it is the correct spelling, it is very hard
to see it differently. We also tend not to see what is on the page,
rather what we believe to be on it. We are not reading the page
at all, but what we think is on the page.
Perhaps this is why it is always easier for someone else to spot
our mistakes. You have to slow down - and be suspicious of every
word - to do a good job of proofreading. It is always easier to
criticize someone else's work than our own.
|
