Whether it\u2019s a website article, e-mail, application letter, or thesis paper, even the most well-constructed text can put readers off if it still contains mistakes in spelling or grammar. Errors like these not only interrupt the flow of written work; they give the impression of a careless author, as well. These are very good reasons to thoroughly proofread each and every text you want others to read. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Correcting texts you\u2019ve written yourself isn\u2019t entirely unproblematic, however. After all, the more familiar you are with a particular text, the more difficult it tends to be to recognize mistakes in it. This is why proofreading your own texts requires a great deal of attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To find out how you can track down those last remaining flaws, simply read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since we perceive words in their entirety, our brains recognize their meaning after identifying just a few letters. This means we skip over entire sections of words when reading \u2013 and often miss the typos and other spelling mistakes they sometimes contain. We\u2019re also capable of reading jumbles of letters that barely resemble the words they usually spell. If you\u2019ve never tried it yourself, check out this example from the internet<\/a>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n When we revise a text we\u2019ve written ourselves, the fact that we already know what it\u2019s about makes things even more difficult. Our eyes see what they expect to and not what\u2019s actually on the paper or screen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what can you do to make sure your written work isn\u2019t memorable for the wrong reasons? We\u2019ll let you in on some pro tips that will help you improve your own texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Take a break before revising a text <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Professional authors recommend putting a text down for a few hours (or ideally overnight) before proofreading it. Stepping away for a time will give you the chance to look at your text with fresh eyes, which should help you spot more mistakes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Print your texts out <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies have shown that we focus more when reading on paper<\/a> compared to on-screen. It thus makes sense to proofread hard copies of your texts whenever possible. Plus, you\u2019ll then be able to make notes with ease (about words you need to look up, for example).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Make sure you’re not disturbed <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When revising a text, you\u2019ll want to avoid distractions. Switch your phone to silent, turn down the radio, and close the door. The best way to start is by reading your text out loud, which will help you read more slowly and attentively. You\u2019ll also be more likely to recognize grammar mistakes, missing commas, and overly complicated sentences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Get to know the common sources of errors <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When proofreading, pay special attention to the areas in which mistakes are often made<\/a>. Besides basic spelling errors, problems like words that can be written differently (\u201ctoward\u201d vs. \u201ctowards\u201d, for example) or the use of hyphens instead of en dashes are things to watch out for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Ignore the content for now<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike content editing (which involves examining a text\u2019s style and subject matter), proofreading is purely technical in nature. In other words, you should leave the content aside and concentrate on mistakes that disregard accepted norms or rules. If you find it hard to ignore the content of your text, these tricks can help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Take the time to go over your text several times<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Read through your text repeatedly, focusing on a different facet each time \u2013 formatting, word choice, syntax, spelling, punctuation, facts, data, and so on. That will help you pinpoint specific problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Make use of digital tools <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve finished proofreading your text on paper, don\u2019t forget to check it again on a computer. The find-and-replace function of your word processing program can be helpful in fixing common mistakes like missing (or extra) spaces after periods and commas. You should definitely have your software run its automated spelling and grammar check, as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you write texts fairly often (such as for a blog), it\u2019s worth investing in a tool like Papyrus Author<\/a>, which enables you to check aspects like sentence length and readability in addition to spelling and grammar. Hemingway Editor<\/a> offers similar functions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To correct e-mails and other online texts, you can install a corresponding add-on in your browser. The proofreading tool Grammarly<\/a> is a very popular option for English texts. For other languages, LanguageTool<\/a> is a solid choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Read your entire text through one last time<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To make sure you haven\u2019t added any new mistakes, you should go through your text once more from beginning to end after you finish proofreading it. In doing so, pay close attention to proper sentence structure and formatting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Bring in a fresh set of eyes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to guaranteeing that a text is free of errors, nothing is better than a sharp-eyed assistant. If possible, have a friend or colleague read through your text before you sign off on it. If no one is available, you can always call on a professional proofreader. <\/p>\n\n\n\nNine ways to proofread your own texts the right way <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before you start <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While proofreading <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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After proofreading <\/h3>\n\n\n\n