Proofreading Checklist
Editing is the final, critical step in the process of writing. How well you edit your essay determines your grade!
Many of my students edit their essays immediately after completing it because they started their essay late and must complete the full writing process in a day or two. Sometimes even if they started the assignment timely, they still have limited time and can’t wait a full day to edit. If you have the luxury of time, wait up to a full day before editing your essay as the content is no longer fresh in your head. The reward is you will catch many more errors when waiting to edit your essay.
Proofread the document forwards for content looking for errors such as dangling and misplaced modifiers, subject verb agreement, awkwardly worded sentences, overly wordy sentences, inconsistent verb tenses and run-on sentences. Read each sentence out loud to better “hear” the errors then make corrections as necessary. After editing each sentence in a paragraph, reread the paragraph to make certain all of the sentences work well together and are in the correct order.
Proofread the document backwards word by word for any missed spelling errors. Look for the kind of spelling errors that Spell Check does not catch, such as to, too and two and though, through, thought.
Read on for more essential editing tips!
Sentences and Paragraphs
- Solid transition sentences for beginning and ending of each paragraph.
- Cohesively blend sentences within a paragraph.
- Check for and edit run-on sentences (about 3-4 lines or more of typed text).
- Add punctuation (comma, semi-colon, or period) or eliminate unnecessary words.
- Avoid ending sentences with a preposition or a verb.
- Do not start sentences with dummy subjects, a weak choice of subject and verb: “There is” and “There are”.
- Do not start sentences with “So”, “But”, or “Because”.
- Make certain that the verb tense is consistent in all sentences and paragraphs.
- Avoid using too many prepositional phrases, i.e., “hands of the clock” becomes “clock hands”.
- Check for dependent clauses masquerading as sentences.
When you read a dependent clause (no subject and verb) you will have questions.
When you read an independent clause (contains the subject and verb) you will NOT have
questions.
Language
- Use many action verbs as it makes sentences stronger.
- Check subject/verb agreement in every sentence.
- Check for dangling or misplaced modifiers, word(s) that are modifying a word that doesn’t make sense.
- Explain abbreviations for a title or company the first time, use abbreviation thereafter, i.e., The Department of Commerce (DOC).
- Spell out ALL contractions.
- Spell out all numbers up to 10, Write numbers starting at 11.
- Do NOT include popular expressions or slang words.
- Use a Thesaurus to look up additional words expressing the same thought after 4 uses.
Create a Thesaurus and Dictionary bookmark as a reference tool.
- Do not use the words “stuff”, “things”, “a lot” and “interesting” (depends on the speaker’s inflection to derive meaning.)
- Upper case all proper nouns and appropriate words. Lower case all appropriate words.
Unlock these key editing tips to improve your writing skills and raise your grades.