1. Spell-check. It won’t catch every mistake, but it’s an easy way to start the editing process, especially if time is tight. It’s generally good for misspelled words, basic grammatical errors, and such mistakes as writing the same word twice.
2. Print your copy and read it aloud. Listening helps us focus to find mistakes. It’s amazing how simple and effective it is; it’s easy to miss things on-screen. After I make my major edits, this is the biggest step I take to spot errors.
3. Check your facts. This includes numbers, dates, and times — the harder things spell-check can’t do.
4. Rest. Before any deadline, get enough sleep to be alert to spot errors. Take breaks from your work to focus on other things. Look out the window, get some coffee, stretch your legs, and you’ll return with renewed vigor and focus. Also, make time to edit so that you won’t rush, which leads to carelessness and errors.
5. Get help. Mistakes happen. We sometimes can’t catch them all. It always helps to have at least one or two other people who know English well read your copy before publication. Sometimes, we’re so close to our work that we overlook mistakes.
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Quotes
“Everyone needs an editor.” ~ Tim Foote
“Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.” ~ Author Unknown
Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.
Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com
