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DIY Guide: how to proofread and edit an essay
The next stage is to use your ears. Read the document out loud from start to finish. Does it make sense? This is a great way to root out sentences which need rewording or pruning. Highlight sticky areas and carry on until the end. It is very easy – at this stage – to get lost on a juicy tangent. Stop: you’re here to proofread. If you feel your work would be much improved by an addition, make a note and go back to it when you’ve finished proofreading.
When you’ve finished the first reading, return to highlighted/annotated text and re-word sentences to your satisfaction.
When your article reads smoothly, it is time to give it a cosmetic overhaul. This is where I arrange three pages at a time, side-by-side – ignore details such as words and paragraphs – and look at the spacing. From this bird’s eye vantage it is easy to spot anomalies in text, font, fount, sizing, and spacing. I use coloured pens for correction because it makes it easier to locate the marks (or highlighting text function if using a Microsoft Word document). At this stage, you can reformat headings, paragraph indents and generally apply a desirable template to the work.
When you’re satisfied your work is beautifully formatted, it’s time to zoom back in and take a closer look. I prefer to start with spelling and typos. If editing hard copy (actually printed onto paper), I use a clean plain sheet of A4 to cover the text whilst reading, very carefully, and deliberately, one word at a time. Spellings and typos can be corrected. It is best to check your spellings with either The Chambers Dictionary or Oxford Dictionary (if in the UK). Also, make a note of recurrent names, places, items that can be spelt in other ways (Example: analyse – analyze; spelt – spelled); use the same spelling throughout.
Read backwards. If you feel you’re unable to tear yourself away from the story, read your work backwards. Start with the last word and work your way back to the first. Your brain will be forced to read each word on its own without panning out to get the wider picture. It’s laborious, but worth it.
Continued...
 
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