PROOFREADING TIPS

READING AND PROOFREADING What is the difference? –We usually read for content –To acquire information –Maybe to skim Proofreading –The mechanical process of checking through a document –Looking for errors –Accuracy –Clarity of meaning

PROOFREADING Look for errors within –Spelling –Punctuation –Grammar –Syntax –Repetition (of words, phrases or ideas)

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROOFREADING An important habit to acquire Should be done prior to the submission of any work for assessment or publication Some people check as they go along –Final check still needed at the end! Others prefer to do it on completion of the piece It is about finding errors we know about but may have missed –Grammatical Checking for words that may be misspelt

PROOFREADING TIPS Do not rely on a computer spell checker –Why? It is unreliable It is not to replace you Print out your document If you are using a spell checker ensure it is set to English as the default Leave time before completing a document and proof reading Look out for repetition of certain words or phrases Ensure you do not skim when proofreading Get someone else to check the work

PROOF-READING SYMBOLS British Standard (BS 5261) Standard set of symbols to use when proof-reading Ensures corrections are understood by all Two parts:Text mark Margin mark

PROOF-READING SYMBOLS Text formattingTextMargin Bold Italic Capitals Lower-case Encircle characters to be changed

PROOF-READING SYMBOLS Para formattingTextMargin New paragraph Run-on (No new para) Indent Centre Enclosing matter to be changed

PROOF-READING SYMBOLS Text insertion / deletion TextMargin Insert text Delete character Delete words