Let me ask you a question: How do you feel when you find a grammar error or typo in a book you are reading? Are you sad for the author? Sad for the editor? Do you feel a bit smug that you found the error and obviously no one else did?
What if it were your own writing and someone else caught the error? How would you feel then?
I'm going to give you some proofreading tips to help reduce the amount of errors or typos found in your writing.
Just follow these tips and hopefully one of your readers won't come across an error and feel a bit superior that they found an error you didn't.
Remember this, Mark Twain said, "The difference between the almost-right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning-bug & the lightning."
1. The first thing you can do is let your writing rest. For how long? For however long it takes to really get away from it and not have it in your head when you go back to re-read it. According to Hemingway, he wrote the ending to Farewell to Arms 39 times before he was satisfied.
2. Expect to do some rewriting. Leo Tolstoy wrote, "I can't understand how anyone can write without rewriting everything over and over again." Rewriting is the best way to learn to write.
3. Proofread in hard copy only. Reading on a computer is too easy to get lost in the writing and not see the errors.
4. Are you sentences properly constructed and clear?
5. Have you checked all questionable spellings?
6. Is your punctuation correct?
7. Have you used proper transitional expressions to tie your paragraphs together? Your chapters together? Does the continuity of the story flow throughout?
8. Does each scene have one clear and concise point of view?
9. Does your dialogue work with the story theme and move the story along or is it stagnant and conversational?
10. Have you read your story aloud? Have you had someone else read your story aloud to you?
11. Silently read your story backwards. This will help you catch many errors that are "hidden" in the story. You will not be caught up in the story and can focus on the words.
12. Proofread for one kind of error at a time. You will have to read your writing several times, but it's worth it if you can concentrate on only finding one kind of error at a time.
13. Always make sure you have double-checked your facts, figures, and names. There are many times I've read a book where the main character is named something like "Carl" in the first 5 chapters, and later changes to "Charles" in the remaining chapters. It can be very confusing to the reader.
14. Don't always rely on your spellchecker, but use your dictionary as well.
15. Always double check our apostrophes and contractions. Make sure they are constructed properly and fused appropriately.
I'm sure there are more tips out there for proofreading but these tips have done me well when it comes to my own writing. My publisher was always happy to receive one of my manuscripts because they knew they didn't have to put in a lot of time editing it. My manuscripts were one of the cleanest they'd ever seen.
Reference: The Least You Should Know About English by Teresa Ferster Glazier
Copyright: bradcalkins / 123RF Stock Photo
Pages
- Home
- About Succeed At Writing
- What Others Say about Succeed At Writing
- Why Choose Succeed At Writing
- Be a Better Writer Packages
- Workshops Available for Groups & Conferences
- Writing Challenges
- Benefits of Hiring Your Writing Coach
- Contact Your Writing Coach
- Guest Blogging
- Copyright
- Words Can Heal Zazzle Store
- Coming Soon: Online Courses
- Terms of Service
- Special Free Assessment
Monday, July 28, 2014
15 Proofreading Tips for Writers
Labels:
apostrophe,
author,
contractions,
dialogue,
dictionary,
editor,
error,
grammar,
point of view,
proofreading,
publisher,
Punctuation,
scene,
spellchecker,
spelling,
story,
tips,
typo,
writers
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here keep up the good work blog
ReplyDeleteI’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article... advertise your product
ReplyDeleteIt should be noted that whilst ordering papers for sale at paper writing service, you can get unkind attitude. In case you feel that the bureau is trying to cheat you, don't buy term paper from it. essay writer
ReplyDeleteSo make your sales letter a story with a beginning, middle and end. Tell the tale of someone (most preferable you) who had a problem. Maybe they had horrible acne or they had trouble paying the rent because they had no money. Direct Response Copywriting
ReplyDeleteHow you begin, how you proceed and how you end up; all have equal importance in the assessment of an essay. essay writer
ReplyDelete2013 promises to be a good year for you academically. You might face issues due to your inability to focus. Use your intelligence and intuition to your advantage to crack the exams. Ranchi Board 12th Model Paper 2021
ReplyDeleteA topic which requires much statements and explanations can take a little more length. But keep in mind the above said words; Too much is too bad. coursework
ReplyDeleteGrammatical style is another key element in the clear presentation of your work. Clarity of thought and the coherence of a well-plotted argument can be disguised by extended sub-clauses and the over-use of parentheses. reddit essay writing service
ReplyDeleteEvery employee who has an active account with the Employee Provident Fund scheme have to spend some time for EPF balance check in online or offline at the regional office, and also it takes some time to go through the EPFO online website to download EPF passbook. PF missed call number While using the UMANG App is kind of time-taking as well, but now EPFO has ensured by launching EPF Missed call service by launching a unique dial-in number that can be used in order for users like to check EPF balance on SMS on priority by just giving a missed call to the given number and right away will get the SMS report directly on a mobile screen.
ReplyDeletebrand new article marketing and publishing system, which enables anyone, to easily earn a living online, by publishing short articles - and the articles have already been written for you! Best Dissertation Writing Services UK
ReplyDeleteI feel used to bad when I found grammar or typing errors in any of my writing projects. But from since I am using Dissertation Writing Services, my this anxiety is 100 percent gone.
ReplyDeleteAP Police Recruitment 2022 Notification Exam Dates, Eligibility, Application Form, Admit Card, Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Cutof
ReplyDeleteAP Police Recruitment 2022
Rajasthan Board 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th class Question Paper 2022 has been Uploaded here for Candidates who are in 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th class of Rajasthan Board Preparing well for SA, FA Examination 2022, Rajasthan Board 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th Examination Conducted by Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan (BSER), RBSE 9th Class Question Paper Ajmer Board for School Level Students looking for Previous years Question papers as well. we have uploaded some genuine Raj Board 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th Model Paper 2022 provide them a Complete idea to Prepare well before Examination and with the help of Previous years Papers.
ReplyDeletekars
ReplyDeletesinop
sakarya
ankara
çorum
QJÄ°7
MaraÅŸ Lojistik
ReplyDeleteHatay Lojistik
Tokat Lojistik
Elazığ Lojistik
Aksaray Lojistik
VCO2GW
24424
ReplyDeleteIğdır Lojistik
Giresun Lojistik
Mardin Evden Eve Nakliyat
Zonguldak Evden Eve Nakliyat
Ankara Evden Eve Nakliyat
80BC9
ReplyDeleteAmasya Evden Eve Nakliyat
Mersin Evden Eve Nakliyat
Rize Parça Eşya Taşıma
Aydın Lojistik
Kırşehir Parça Eşya Taşıma
EEDEF
ReplyDeletegiresun canli sohbet bedava
diyarbakır sesli sohbet odası
uÅŸak mobil sohbet
karaman sesli mobil sohbet
ığdır ücretsiz görüntülü sohbet uygulamaları
elazığ yabancı canlı sohbet
random görüntülü sohbet
niÄŸde sesli mobil sohbet
osmaniye en iyi ücretsiz görüntülü sohbet siteleri
40E89
ReplyDeleteProxy Satın Al
Youtube Para Kazanma
google yorum satın al
Opencart SEO
Yapay Zeka Video OluÅŸturma
Google Adwords Kupon Satışı
Google SEO
Twitter Hesap Satın Al
freelance iş ilanları
1625B
ReplyDeleteKda Coin Yorum
Nmr Coin Yorum
Snx Coin Yorum
Bnb Coin Yorum
BTC Son Dakika
Mask Coin Yorum
Blur Coin Yorum
Fil Coin Yorum
Bitcoin Forum
4AC93F4F07
ReplyDeletewhatsapp görüntülü show güvenilir
ereksiyon hapı
bufalo çikolata
ücretli şov
novagra
whatsapp görüntülü şov
vigrande
maxman
stag
10864858C9
ReplyDeletesanal show
82285242E3
ReplyDeletetwitter türk beğeni