Editing and proofreading needs to be very thorough by nature. Every word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph needs to be analyzed for multiple aspects. To help you achieve near perfection you need to be as organized as possible.

First, make a list of all of the “items” that you need to edit and proofread for: spelling, word usage, commas, voice, etc. 

Secondly, as you gain experience, learn which of these items you can analyze for at the same time to save time. Just make sure that you don’t try to analyze too many writing aspects at the same time.  This may lead you to forget or skip over some of them as you are reading through a draft.

Thirdly, if you are the writer, write only on one side of the paper. This will help you as you edit because you will not “forget” a page because you forgot to look on the back of a page. Your draft will also be easier to read because ink won’t be coming through the back of the paper to distort your writing or typing.

Fourthly, if you are the writer, type the draft. It will be easier and quicker for you and others to edit.

Fifthly, use a brightly colored pen to mark up the draft. Red, green, and purple are the best colors. Blue can be hard to read. Be careful of neon or odd colors that make it hard to read corrections.

Finally, use a computer and printer. After each draft is typed, save it, print it off, and edit/proofread until it starts looking messy. Then open up the computer file, make the corrections, save it, and print off the next draft. In my experience, to properly edit and proofread a professional paper takes between 10-15 drafts. A high school or college essay takes 5-8 drafts, and a middle school or early high school essay takes 2-3 drafts.