- Take time away from your work, and unwind from ‘essay mode’ before proofreading. If possible, leave any proofreading until the next day. Most people find that reading a paper once the next morning is more effective than checking it over 3 or 4 times immediately after finishing.
- There are 2 main parts to checking a typed document; firstly, reading a hard copy, and then secondly going back to the document on the computer for the final stages. Print off a double spaced (to allow more room for corrections), black and white copy, and use a coloured pen to make alterations. Both red and light blue inks stand out well.
- In the first reading of a document, the most important things to check are spelling and capitalisation. Many computer programs today automatically capitalise and correct what they, sometimes erroneously, believe are mistyped words. Also, look out for any missed ’special characters’ (is the name Milosevic, or Milošević?). Also, ensure you have been consistent with the spelling of names and words derived from non-Latin alphabets.
- Now all minor mistakes have been rectified, check over the content of the essay. Make sure you have stayed within the allocated word count (there is normally a 10% leeway on this). Also, ensure you haven’t repeated a point. When writing, people often ‘double write’, stressing the exact same point at the start and end of a section of analysis, as follows:
- Avoid continual repeating particular words and phrases. As a general rule of thumb, try not to use a given word more than once every three sentences. Use a thesaurus to look up synonyms, or attempt to rephrase a paragraph to reduce repetition.
- After the corrections made so far to the paper, it should be rechecked for readability and flow. A relatively minor correction can greatly affect how an essay or article reads. Ensure that there is at least a tangible connection between paragraphs, and that the conclusion and introduction are clear and distinct from the main body of the piece.
- After this, go back to the computer and make your corrections. Reprint the document, and repeat the process, checking all of the above points to make sure that the revisions made have increased the clarity of the work.
- Now collate your bibliography. If you are unsure about the correct format to use, check on the internet. If you have used websites as sources, remove the hyperlink attribute, as leaving it there can make the bibliography appear rushed and scruffy.
- Ensure that the formatting you have used is consistent throughout. Is all text the same font and size? Are all headings identically formatted? Don’t forget to fully justify your text. Well-formatted pieces of work are appreciated by markers.
- Finally, get somebody else to read through it. Don’t be shy to ask a friend or relative. If you are confident about the work’s content, it may be best to ask somebody who has little knowledge on the subject, as their reactions and input will improve the work’s overall readability as a piece of writing.
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