Evening Milking time in Gargrave.
Catch More
Writing Mistakes With This Underutilized Proofreading Trick
STEFANIE
FLAXMAN
Proofreading
is simple.
That may
seem like a sacrilegious statement coming from someone who spent years
justifying that proofreading is a specialized skill to condescending critics.
But I want
to show you a simple proofreading trick, so you are able to
review your writing like a professional proofreader — even if you only have
time to proofread your writing once.
This
underutilized technique will help you spot and correct errors in your digital content that you’ve previously glossed over.
The difference
between proofreading and just reading
A common
misconception is that proofreading is the same activity as reading. Why would
someone pay a professional proofreader when anyone who knows how to read could
point out mistakes in a piece of writing?
This
attitude can be an obstacle for freelance proofreaders looking for work.
But
ultimately, as many proofreaders discover, rather than trying to attract
writers who “don’t get it,” it’s more effective to speak to those who already
understand the value of a thorough, professional proofreading.
It’s a
lesson that can be applied to any type of digital business:
Appeal to people
who already want and understand the value of your product or service — the
right prospects. Don’t try to win over people who are not interested in what
you do — the wrong prospects.
This
proofreading trick is a clear example of why the activity of proofreading is
unlike just reading.
Now, take
off your writer beret and put on your proofreader fedora, so you can view your
writing like someone who has never seen it before.
Proofread from
the end to the beginning
When you’re satisfied with your
final draft, here’s how
you can give your content a professional polish.
Up until
now, you’ve (presumably) been reading your writing from the beginning of the
text to the end. We want to trick your brain into looking at everything you’ve
written in a different way.
Start at the
end of your document and read the last sentence backwards — slowly.
For example,
you would read the sentence, “Start at the end of your document an read the
last sentence backwards — slowly” as “slowly — backwards sentence last the read an
document your of end the at Start.”
Do you see
any word choice errors, missing words, or incomplete thoughts that weaken the
sentence?
It’s easier
to spot writing mishaps when you view your words in a different order.
In this
example, the word “an” should have been “and.”
Then, for
good measure, read the same sentence as you normally would — butslowly. Spot any
mistakes?
Let’s add
on.
Stop
proofreading at each punctuation mark
As you
review each sentence backwards, and then forwards, stop reading any time you
encounter a punctuation mark to make sure it is used correctly.
Does each
period end a complete sentence? Is each comma used appropriately? Each dash?
Each quotation mark? Each apostrophe?
Here are two
examples:
Did you
write “it’s” instead of “its?”
“It’s” is a
contraction of “it is.” “Its” is a possessive form of the pronoun “it.”
Since you’re
carefully evaluating your punctuation choices, it will become clear if “it’s”
or “its” is correct.
Did you
write “you’re” when you intended to write “you’ve?” (Here’s a secret: I made
that mistake in the first draft of this post. Shhhhh: don’t tell anyone.)
When used
correctly, punctuation marks help guide the reader through your content. The
reader will take his effortless comprehension of
your writing for granted.
With this
proofreading activity, the words you read don’t make a casual, light imprint in
your mind, and you don’t overlook punctuation marks.
Here, each
punctuation mark and word are tattooed on your brain.
Proofread
each sentence like this until you reach the beginning of your content,
correcting mistakes that pop out along the way.
Present your
readers with a distraction-free experience
Proofreading is simple,
but it requires patience, which many people lack.
If you have
the patience to review your writing slowly just once, the time
you spend proofreading will be much more effective than if you rush the process
but are able to skim through your text multiple times.
Treat
proofreading as a specialized activity, and you’ll see the quality of your
writing improve — so your readers can focus on your content without
distractions.
If you found this post useful, make sure to also check out The Traffic Light Revision
Technique for Meticulously Editing Your Own Writing.
Stefanie Flaxman
http://www.copyblogger.com/smart-proofreading-trick/
I can Turbo Charge Read a novel 6-7 times
faster and remember what I’ve read.
I can TCR an informational book around
20 times faster and remember what
I’ve read.
A practical overview of Turbo Charged Reading YouTube
How
to choose a book. A Turbo Charged Reading YouTube
Emotions when Turbo Charged Reading YouTube
Advanced Reading Skills Perhaps you’d like to join my FaceBook group ?
Perhaps
you’d like to check out my sister blogs:
www.innermindworking.blogspot.com gives many ways
for you to work with the stresses of life
www.ourinnerminds.blogspot.com which takes
advantage of the experience and expertise of others.
www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com
just for fun.
To
quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will
know.
The more that you learn; the more places you'll
go.”
