EDITING AND PROOF READING STRATEGIES

Some of these points have been developed from LEO Editing & Proofreading Strategies. (n.d.). Cloud State University.USA. Retrieved October 24, 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/editing.html

Before You Proof Read

·  Set time frames for completing specific tasks

·  Visit the Learning Support Centre for grammar resources

·  Access examples of grammatical structures that you are not sure of

·  Check the structure of your written work. Visit the Learning Support Centre to help you with this.

·  Have a list of key things that you will look for in your essay/writing

·  Prepare any resources that you will need e.g. dictionary, thesaurus, grammar books etc.

·  Allow wide margins and double spacing on your essay paper

While You Proof Read

You might like to try the following strategies with a friend.

·  Slowly read your paper aloud

·  Read your paper backward, sentence by sentence. Slowly read from end to beginning.

·  Use a couple of pieces of paper to block out previous and following sentences.

·  Ask yourself questions after reading and correcting a sentence e.g.

1.  Does the sentence flow from the previous sentence?

2.  Does the sentence connect and flow on to the next sentence?

3.  Are the ideas repetitive or building on the main idea?

4.  Can the sentence be changed to sound better?

·  Ask yourself questions after reading and correcting a paragraph e.g.

1.  What type of paragraph is this?

2.  Should it be in the introduction, body or conclusion of the essay?

3.  Do the ideas flow from one paragraph to another?

·  Take breaks while proof reading your paper

·  Use reference resources e.g. dictionary, thesaurus, grammar books

·  Keep a list of your errors for future reference with other essays

After You Have Proof Read

·  Have a friend or colleague read through your paper (peer editing)

·  Read your paper a few times to check for one type of error at a time

·  Have a writer friend listen to you reading your paper aloud and have them make suggestions for any corrections

·  Revisit the Learning Support Centre for resources to clarify any errors

·  Have a writer friend slowly read your paper aloud while you listen