Things You'll Need:
- A finished piece of work, no page length required.
- A pencil
- An index card or blank sheet of paper.
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Step 1
Using your blank sheet of paper or index card, place the index card under the very first line on the page.
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Step 2
This is a reading trick I learned my first week of college many years ago. If you cannot see the rest of the page, it is easier to focus on the line. As you get more comfortable proofreading, you will not need the index card.
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Step 3
While the rest of the page is covered, physically put your finger on each word. Check to make sure that each word is spelled correctly, then go over the sentence again (reading it aloud) to check for coherence, clarity, and correct grammar.
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Step 4
You would do this for each and every line of the work, making changes as you go along. It always seems to be less of a hassle making corrections in pencil, but of course this is up to each individual writer.
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Step 5
At the end of the work, start at the beginning, again, and do one of three things: 1) leave full paragraphs exposed and read the complete paragraphs to check for conciseness, coherence, clarity, and proper organization; or 2) read the work aloud and while you're reading, check for reading ease and, of course, clarity; or 3) have a friend (someone you trust to be honest about you writing) read the work out loud. Often times reading the finished product out loud, or hearing it read to you, allows you to recognize changes that need to be made.
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Step 6
I know that proofreading seems like yet another step in the paper writing and revising process, but it is essential to making sure your work truly reflects your best effort.
