Powerful Proofreading

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Powerful Proofreading

• Developed By
• Elisa P. Paramore
• Student Support Services Counselor

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Importance of Proofreading

• If a paper is not proofread carefully before it
  is turned in, a paper that may have deserved an
  A may instead, earn a D because of careless
  mistakes such as misspelled words, misplaced
  commas, either adding an s where one is not
  needed, or omitting one that is needed or because
  of problems with subject verb agreement.

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Most Common Proofreading Errors Found

• spelling- including transposition or omission
• grammar
• punctuation
• faulty subject /verb agreement
• homophone confusion
• spacing errors between words or letters in words
• omission of word (or words) from sentences

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Most Common Homophone Mistakes

• A homophone is a word that sounds like another
  but is spelled differently and means something
  different
• Examples using accept instead of except, advice
  instead of advise, affect instead of effect, cite
  or sight instead of site, loose instead of lose,
  principle instead of principle, quiet instead of
  quite, then instead of than, their or there
  instead of theyre, too or two instead of to,
  whether instead of weather, and whose instead of
  whos

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Steps to Proofreading

• In order to proofread your paper effectively,
  consider proofreading you paper one time for each
  of these three different areas
• Organization
• Grammar
• Mechanics

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Proofreading for Organization

• Consider asking yourself the following questions
  concerning how your paper is organized
• Is there a definite beginning, middle and end?
• Have I included a thesis statement (main point)
  at the end of the introductory paragraph?
• Does the introductory paragraph serve as a guide
  to the rest of the paper?

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Organization, cont

• Has each paragraph been developed using examples,
  relevant details and/or illustrations?
• Is the topic sentence in each paragraph clear?
• Does the concluding paragraph serve as an
  effective end to the paper?
• Have effect transitions been used in the paper?

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Organization,cont

• Are all supporting sentences related to the topic
  sentence of each paragraph?
• Do all the paragraphs make sense?
• Are all the sentences in the paragraphs arranged
  in a logical order?
• As a whole does the paper sound right?

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Proofreading for Grammar Mechanics

• Does each sentence have a subject and verb and
  make sense by themselves?
• Do all subjects verbs agree in voice and
  number?
• Are active and passive verbs used correctly? Are
  singular subjects linked with singular verbs and
  plural subjects with plural verbs? (Remember
  Singular subjects do not end in s but singular
  verbs do and that plural subjects do end in s
  but plural verbs do not.)

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Grammar and Mechanics, cont

• Are the verbs in each sentence in the same
  tense?( present, past, future, etc. Remember that
  in most cases the first verb in the sentence
  establishes the tense of later verbs.)
• Are all pronoun references clear? Remember that
  each pronoun must agree in number and in gender
  with the noun it modifies and it must be clear
  what noun it refers to. Sometimes you must add a
  word, or even rewrite a sentence so that the
  reference is clear. Example I am a lab
  instructor in the biology department and am also
  taking a composition course. This has always been
  difficult for me. (can you tell from these
  sentences what is difficult?)

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Answer to question about pronoun reference example

• The reference is more clear if the sentence is
  written I am a lab instructor in the biology
  department and am also taking composition, a
  course that has always been difficult for me.
  (In this sentence the reader can see that the
  composition course is what is difficult.)

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Grammar Mechanics, cont

• In regard to each comma, what is the rule that is
  applied to its use?
• Are there any comma splices, fragments or run-ons?

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Grammar Mechanics, cont

• Why was each semicolon used?
• Is each apostrophe where it needs to be? (Use the
  _______ belongs to _______, test to check for
  possession.)

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Grammar Mechanics, cont

• Are all words spelled correctly?
• Do all words requiring capitalization have
  capital letters?
• Does each sentence have end punctuation marks?

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3 Things To Do To Make Sure You Proofread
Thoroughly

• Take your time
• Proof read your paper at least 3 times. First,
  for overall organization. A second time for
  grammar mistakes and the third time for mechanics
  such as typographical errors.It is best if you
  proofread out loud.
• Let someone else proofread your paper for these
  things, if possible.

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Other Important Things to Consider

• Ignore content when reading for grammar and
  mechanical errors.
• Assume that there is at least one typographical
  error per page.
• Forget what you meant to say and concentrate on
  what is written.
• Set aside time to do nothing else but proofread

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Answer these Important Questions

• If you have written an effective paper your
  answer to all of these questions should be yes
• Do I feel I have said something important to my
  reader?
• Am I sincerely committed to communicating with my
  reader and not just myself?
• Have I considered my readers needs?

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Important Questions to Ask Yourself, cont

• Do my title and lead in attract my readers
  attention and help set up my thesis?
• Does my thesis statement assert one clearly
  focused idea?
• Does my thesis and/or essay give the reader an
  indication of what main points the essay will
  cover?
• Do the body paragraphs contain the necessary main
  points in the essays discussion and are the main
  points expressed in clearly stated or implied
  sentences
• Is each major point in my essay well developed
  with enough detailed supporting evidence?

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Important Questions, cont

• Does each body paragraph have unity and
  coherence?
• Are all paragraphs smoothly linked in a logical
  order?
• Is the conclusion a suitable ending for my paper?
• Are all sentences clear, concise and coherent?
• Are all of my words accurate, necessary and
  meaningful?
• Have I edited for mistakes in grammar,
  punctuation, spelling and typing ?

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Conclusion

• Proofreading may seem like a difficult task
  because of all of the different questions you
  must answer in regard to what you have written.
  However, it is one of the most important steps in
  the writing process. To make this step easier,
  remember to read for only one of the three areas
  at a time organization, grammar and mechanics.

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Important Note

• I hope that this presentation has been helpful in
  regard to focusing your attention on the
  important areas of proofreading. If you have any
  questions concerning this topic, please feel free
  to contact Student Support Services staff Elisa
  Paramore or Jason Griggs.
• We ask that you come by Student Support Services
  to complete an Academic Seminar Evaluation form
  so that we may document your program
  participation. The form may also be accessed and
  submitted online.

EXIT
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