(TUI) Thematic Unit: Influences - Proofreading the Paper Lesson

It has been said that writing is rewriting. The heart of rewriting is editing. The terms "editing" and "proofreading" are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they are actually two distinct activities. Where proofreading is largely the process of catching "silly" errors (e.g., misspelled words, typos, accidental punctuation or grammatical errors), editing is a more analytical process aimed at improving the style and clarity of your writing.

Editing is usually focused at the sentence level of your writing. To understand what we mean by "sentence level," it is useful to compare it to "paragraph level." Paragraph level concerns are usually organizational or logical concerns. Paragraphs are usually containers for your main ideas. Paragraph level concerns are usually handled during your drafting as you clarify your thinking and understanding of your subject based on your research.

By contrast, sentence level concerns are usually focused on clarifying your writing. Your ideas are probably in the order you want them (paragraph level), but now you are editing your sentences to make sure they are as clear and concise as they can be. Sentence level editing, then, is the process of polishing how you are going to "say" things.

General Proofreading Strategies

No matter how many times you read through a "finished" paper, you're likely to miss many of your most frequent errors. Strategies to personalize proofreading so you can identify errors you typically make. You don't need to check for everything. It's more efficient to know your typical problem areas and make several passes through the paper for them.

Begin by taking a break. Allow yourself some time between writing and proofing. Even a five-minute break is productive because it will help you get some distance from what you have written. The goal is to return with a fresh eye and mind.

The following strategies will help you s - l - o - w d - o - w - n as you read through a paper and will therefore help you catch mistakes that you might otherwise overlook. As you use these strategies, remember to work slowly. If you read at a normal speed, you won't give your eyes sufficient time to spot errors.

Reading Aloud

Reading a paper aloud encourages you to read every little word.

Reading with a "Cover"

Sliding a blank sheet of paper down the page as you read encourages you to make a detailed, line-by-line review of the paper.

Role-Playing

Playing the role of the reader encourages you to see the paper as your audience might.

Read the presentation below to get a few tips for general proofreading strategies. Please be patient while the presentation loads.

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