How to Proofread an Essay

Has your child ever asked you to proofread a paper he has written? It may not be a bad idea for you to brush up on your proofing skills. Many parents focus only on the punctuation and spelling. While this may be important, it is not the only area on which a student should focus.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• pencil or pen
• (optional) Microsoft Word or other word processing program

1. Check to see that the question has been answered. For example, if the assignment is to write about gun control, it is not appropriate to launch into a narrative about "why I like hunting." While the hunting angle may well help one’s argument, this is not a creative writing assignment. It would be better to explain why hunting in general helps or hurts the position the writer has taken (including statistics to back up the argument). Edit out any sentences that do not support the main question.
2. Scrutinize the paper for well-planned organization. You may need to explain to your teen that using a brain-storming web or an outline before they start writing will keep them on track and prevent writer’s block. Does the first paragraph have a thesis statement (a sentence telling the main idea of the paper with at least three supporting ideas)? Does each paragraph support the thesis and then stay on track?
3. Does the essay contain enough support to justify the argument? It is easy to make a statement, but much harder to back up that statement with support. Make sure your scholar does not make blanket statements without examples or statistics to back them up. Each and every paragraph in the body should contain examples, facts, or reasons to expand on or show why the writer has made a particular claim.
4. Check for vocabulary. Any paper would be better off without adjectives like nice and good. Adjectives should be specific. For example, the writer might claim that the internet is a good tool. It would be better to say that it is beneficial or that it has value. The writer might be trying to say something else about the internet, but the reader cannot be sure what that is unless the writer is specific.
5. Finally, proofread for appropriate grammar and punctuation. Some of the most common errors include sentence fragments and run-ons. Be sure you understand what these are (see a good website such as englishplus.com). Don’t be afraid to use the grammar check on your computer either.
6. Make sure your teen allows time for proofreading and for any re-writes they may need to do. If she has ever convinced you to do this for her at midnight the night before the paper is due, she is definitely not allowing enough time, and you are enabling her procrastination!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your teen does not use big words unless he understands what they mean and can use them appropriately. It is better to be clear and concise.